Schroeder, Henry J. (1856-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Apr 17 p. 14

Birth date: 1856 Apr 16

text of obituary:

Heinrich J. Schroeder, Sohn von Johann und Maria Schmidt Schröeder, ward am 16. April 1856 in Alexanderwohl, Südrußland geboren und kam 1874 mit der großen Auswanderung nach McPherson County, Kansas. 1877 starb sein Vater und als ältester Sohn übernahm er die Hauptarbeit auf der Farm. 1875 ward er von Aelt. Jakob Buller getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde. Als die Goessel Mennonitengemeinde gegründet ward, schloß er sich da an. Am 9. Jan. 1879 heiratete er Eva Pankratz und von ihren 13 Kindern starben ein Sohn und 1 Tochter. Am 6. Okt. 1913 starb die Mutter nach 5monatigem Leiden. Am 5. Nov. 1914 heiratete er Aganetha Sommerfeld Schmidt, die nach 29 Jahren am 30. Jan. 1943 starb. In 1938 erlitt er einen Schlaganfall und ward nicht mehr ganz gesund. Vier Jahre war er im Bethesda Altenheim unter aufopfernedr [sic aufopfernder] Pflege bis er am 22. Febr. 1945 im Alter von 88 J. 10 M. und 16 Tagen von seinem Leiden erlöst wurde, wonach er sich schon lange gesehnt hatte. Er hinterläßt 3 Söhne und 8 Töchter mit Familien, 35 Enkel, 16 Urenkel; auch 3 Söhne und 1 Töchter aus zweiter Ehe u. deren Familien u. die Familien d. 2 verstorbenen Töchter. 3 Kinder seiner zweiten Frau, 1 Enkel u. 2 Urenkel sind such gestorben. Der liebe Gott hat dem heimgerufenen in diesem Leben viel Gutes erwiesen; hat es auch für gut befunden, daß er von Trübsal nicht verschont blieb. Er hielt sich aber stets zu dem, was Gott in Christo für ihn getan. Wiewohl zuletzt durch seine Krankheit sein Gedächtnis litt, so war er sich doch bewußt, daß sein Erbteil bei Gott im Himmel sei.

“Es mußte alles mir zum Besten dienen,
Was Seine Liebe gab, was sie mir nahm;
Und hat die Sonne einmal nicht geschienen,
Wußt ich, daß Segen mir im Schatten kam;
Und unter Seiner Hand wandt alles Leid
Sich bald in Gutes und Barmherzigkeit.

Die Zeit verrint, mit ihr der Erde Gaben;
Doch ewig bleibt, was uns der Ew’ge gibt.
Ich darf ja hier schon ew’ges Leben haben
Und weiß mit ew’ger Liebe mich geliebt.
Bald sing ich droben in der ew’gen Freud:
“Mir ward nur Gutes und Barmherzigkeit.”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Mar 1 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Funeral services were held Monday, February 26, at the Goessel Mennonite church for H. J. Schroeder, who died in the Bethesda, Old Peoples home last Thursday night. Mr. Schroeder, who reached the ripe old age of 88 years, was one of the oldest settlers in the Goessel-Hillsboro neighborhood, having lived there since the community was founded about 70 years ago. He was a resident of the Old People's home for about four years. The funeral was conducted by Rev. C. C. Wedel and Rev. P. P. Buller.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Mar 8 p. 3

text of obituary:

HENRY J. SCHROEDER

Henry J. Schroeder, son of Johann and maria (Schmidt) Schroeder, was born April 16, 1856, in the village of Alexanderwohl, South Russia, and departed this life Thursday, February 22, 1945, at 10:35 P. M. at the Bethesda Home for the Aged in Goessel, Kansas.

He attained the age of 88 years, 10 months and 6 days. In 1874, when his parents emigrated to America, he, as a young man of 18 years, came with them and they established their home in McPherson county, Kansas. at the age of 21 years he lost his father and as the eldest son in the family took over the responsibility of the farm.

In 1875 he was baptized by Elder Jacob Buller and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church. Later upon the organization of the Goessel Mennonite church he united with that church.

He united in marriage with Eva Pankratz on January 9, 1879. To this union 13 children were born of which one son and one daughter died in infancy. On October 6, 1913, after five months illness his wife passed on to her eternal reward.

In November 5, 1914, he was married to Aganetha (Sommerfeld) Schmidt, who was his companion for 29 years, until January 30, 1943, when she was called away in death.

In 1938 he suffered a stroke, from which he did not fully recover. During the last four years he has been very efficiently and devotedly cared for in the Bethesda Home.

He is survived by three sons, Peter P., John P., and Herman P., and their wives; eight daughters, Mary Richert, Elisabeth Unrau, Anna Regier, Helen Schmidt, Henrietta Voth, Lydia Unruh, Agatha Voth and their husbands; by 35 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Also among the mourners are three sons and one daughter of his second wife and their families and the families of two of her daughters that have passed on. Three children of his second wife and one of his grand children and two great-grandchildren have preceded him in death.

The God of love, in His grace, has favored him with many good things during his earthly life, and has also considered it well that he should not be spared from adversities. He steadfastly continued to hold fast to what God in Christ has done for him. Even though his memory was affected as a result of his illness, he ever remained aware of the assurance that he had an eternal heritage with the father in Heaven.

Funeral services were held in the Goessel Mennonite church Monday, February 26, with Rev. P. P. Buller officiating, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel. Committal services were led by Rev. Gerald Stucky.

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Mar 27 p. 14