Siemens, Emma Warkentin (1902-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Jul 25 p. 5

Birth date: 1902 Jul 28

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. Arthur M. Siemens of Buhler at the Grace hospital in Hutchinson at about nine o'clock last Saturday morning. She was nearly 44 years of age. Funeral services were held early this week at the Buhler Mennonite church, of which she was a member. Survivors included her deeply sorrowing husband, three daughters (one of whom is married), two sons, and the following brothers and sisters: Herman Warkentine [sic Warkentin], Shafter, Calif.; Ted Warkentine [sic Warkentin], Newton; Albert and Julius Warkentine [sic Warkentin], Buhler; Miss Hanna Warkentine [sic Warkentin], Norton; Mrs. Lizzie Regier, Burrton, and Mrs. Katherine Regier, Buhler.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Aug 1 p. 6

text of obituary:

MRS. A. A. SIEMENS

Mrs. Arthur Siemens, nee Emma Warkentin, was born July 28, 1902, near Buhler, Kansas, and passed away in the Grace eShe grew up in a family of eight children, of which she was the sixth. At the age of four she lost her father. Her mother was laid to rest on Dec. 12, 1937. In August of last year her brother, Karl, passed away at Reedley, Calif.

Emma grew up under the guidance of a widowed Christian mother. She showed unusual ability as a pupil, but die to limited resources her schooling lasted only nine years. At the age of 18 she accepted Christ as her Saviour and on May 23, 1920, was baptized by Elder Abr. Ratzlaff and received, into the fellowship of the Hoffnungsau church.

On Aug. 21, 1921, she was united in marriage to Arthur Siemens. To this union wee born five children: Verda, Mrs. Marvin Schmidt, of Buhler; Melvin, recently returned from a relief voyage to Greece; Ruby, R. N., at Grace hospital, Hutchinson; and Glennis and marvel at home. In 1927, when the family moved to a farm southwest of Buhler, she transferred her church membership to the Buhler Mennonite church where it remained until her passing.

She enjoyed comparatively good health until about a year ago when the family moved to their present residence in Buhler. Severe headaches often made her leave her duties about the home. In November of last year she submitted to a serious operation at the Axtell hospital in Newton, after having completely committed herself to God’s will. There was fair promise of a complete recovery, but with the passing of the months her suffering increased steadily. Aid was sought through various physicians and hospitals with the final verdict that it would only be a matter of time until the body would break under the strain.

For some time she was under the care of her loving daughter Ruby, in the home. On July 6 a violent attack set in, whereupon she was removed to the Grace hospital in Hutchinson. There her loved ones took leave of her, praying for her release. She lingered on in a state of coma for two more weeks. In her condition she would often sing “Jesus Saviour, pilot Me.” On Saturday morning at 9:10 her soul took flight to be with the Lord with whom she had longed so much to be.

Emma was a dear wife and mother. The power of her influence lay in her quiet and gentle nature. in her Christian mother heart she held a deep concern for her children. Her smile and loving ways found a ready response in them. She took time in the midst of her many hard tasks to teach them to pray and sing hymns. She loved to sing, and many happy hours were spent in family singing. She was a silent sufferer; offenses directed against her were never met with retaliation but absorbed by her sweet nature. Her family was very near to her heart, and it was because of them that she wished so much to get well. The deep trust in her Saviour helped her to lay also that fond wish at the altar.

Besides her husband and five children she leaves to mourn her early passing one son-in-law, Marvin Schmidt, of Buhler and three sisters and four brothers: Hannah, Buhler; Mrs. John Regier, Burrton; Mrs. J. V. Regier, Buhler; Herman, Shafter, Calif.; Ted, Newton; Julius, Buhler; and Albert, Buhler.