Seibel, Tina Cecilia Harms (1892-1961)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Sep 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1892 May 8

text of obituary:

TINA CECILIA HARMS SEIBEL

Tina Cecilia Harms Seibel was born on May 8, 1892,to Cornelius and Anna Duerksen Harms. She was called to be with her Lord on Aug. 31, 1961. When she was only five days old her father died, and it became incumbent upon her young mother to provide the livelihood for herself and daughter. Before the father's death, the young parents united to dedicate their child to the Lord for service. Tina was left with the grandparents at the Harms and Duerksen homes. She early became acquainted with and interested in the work of the Mennonite Brethren Church Conference since both families were intimately involved in the education and mission program of the conference. This exposure to these needs in her youth brought her to an early conviction that her service to humanity could best be rendered in the field of teaching.

When Tina was four years old she received another father and five sisters and four brothers through marriage of her mother to Abram B. Gaede of Hillsboro, Kansas. She enjoyed the fellowship of a large family although she lived there only intermittently until her grandparents died. Over a period of years there were born into this family seven more children. It was a home where the Word of God was the supreme guide, and Christian hospitality prevailed.

During the winter of 1906 under the ministry of Evangelist John H. Voth, Tina accepted Christ as her personal Saviour, was baptized by Elder Johann Foth of Ebenfeld, and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church of which she remained a faithful member unto the end.

She was among the first students to enroll at Tabor College, where she received her A. B. degree. Her studies were pursued on several other campuses, including Moody Bible Institute, Columbia University, Colorado University, Kansas University, where she received her Master's degree, and Southern California University where she worked toward her doctorate.

She began her teaching career in 1910, and for many years served as head of the English Department at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas. After several years at Huntington College she came to Reedley College where she remained until her retirement, having completed a total of 46 years of teaching service. Her students will remember her as a dynamic and inspirational teacher. Not only was she interested in the academic accomplishments of her students, but she was deeply concerned with their full personal growth and spiritual well being.

While at Reedley College she organized the International Club for foreign students. She sponsored several foreign students personally, providing them with a home while they were studying in Reedley. For them she was a constant source of inspiration and a true Christian witness. Through the many years Mrs. Seibel served her church with devotion, being vitally concerned with all phases of its work, and especially as a dedicated Sunday school teacher.

In 1945 she was married to C. H. Seibel [sic Karl C. Seibel], at which time she assumed the responsibility of being the mother to his youngest daughter, Juanita. This she did with great joy.

In 1955 it became apparent that her chronic heart trouble was to limit her physical capacity, and she was forced to retire from active duties of teaching. She built a home at Fresno, which this last year she donated to Pacific College as a Scholarship Hall. In her last few months of ill health she resided at the Reedley Home.

Although our loved one now rests with the Lord, she will long be remembered by the many whose lives she has influenced. Her impact upon the lives of her family will long endure, and her courage, wisdom, inspiration, and counsel will extend into several generations. She would join with the Apostle Paul in his words, "These things command and teach . . . but be thou an example of the believers, in word , in conversation , in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim. 4:11-12)

She is survived by four brothers, and six sisters: Ben A. Gagged, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Henry A. Gaede, Reedley, Calif.; John E. Gaede, Newton, Kan.; Dr. Menno S. Gaede, Reedley, Calif.; Mrs. Katie Penner, Hillsboro, Kansas; Mrs. Leona Loewen, Fresno, Calif.; Mrs. Edna Penner, Ingalls, Kan.; Mrs. Esther Lepp, Bakersfield, Calif.; Mrs. Malinda Groening, Kansas City, Mo.; Martha Lingo, Los Angeles, Calif.