Schartner, Lena (1903-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Feb 22 p. 7

Birth date: 1903 Mar 8

text of obituary:

LENA SCHARTNER

Lena Schartner, daughter of Rev. Jacob and Helena Unruh Schartner, was born March 8, 1903, near Marion, South Dakota.

On May 8, 1927, she was baptized upon her confession of faith by her father, Rev. Jacob Schartner and accepted as a member of the Mennonite church. August 10, 1941, she was received into the fellowship of the Bethesda Mennonite church where she remained a faithful member until her death.

As much as health permitted she regularly attended the services of the church and helped in the work of the Lord wherever she could. She had a great love for missions and was active in the work of the ladies’ mission society when it was possible for her to do so.

March 1, 1932, she submitted to a major operation. Because of high blood pressure she was under a doctor's care the last two and one-half years of her life.

Last Sunday morning she attended church as usual. The family had been invited to the Ben Kehn home for dinner. About 15 minutes after they arrived at the Kehn home Lena had a stroke. She could speak only little and her left side was paralyzed. The doctor was called but gave no hope of recovery. She was removed by ambulance to her home and everything that medical science could do was done, but she departed to her Heavenly home at 8:10 p.m. She reached the age of 47 years, 10 months and 13 days.

The parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

There remain six sisters and three brothers, two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, two nephews and six nieces as well as many relatives and friends.

It is hard to let her go since she departed so suddenly from this life. Her place will be vacant but we are comforted in the assurance that she is at home with the Lord and our desire is to meet her in heaven.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, Jan. 25, 1951, at the home where words of comfort were spoken by Rev. A. P. Waltner from Psalms 103. The male quartet sang, "Some Sweet Day."

At the Bethesda Mennonite church a large audience gathered to show last respects to the deceased. Rev. T. A. van der Smissen opened the service by prayer. Two songs were sung by the congregation. “Meine Heimat ist dort in der Hoeh," and her favorite hymn, "Near to the Heart of God.”

The obituary was read in both languages by Rev. van der Smissen, who followed with the text John 14:1-7. The male quartet sang, "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" Rev. M. A. Kroeker spoke on Mark 13:13 to the end of the chapter and offered the closing prayer.

The body was laid to rest at the Mennonite cemetery where words of consolation were spoken by Rev. van der Smissen, followed by a male quartet, "My Heavenly Home is Bright and Fair."