Smith, Ida Elizabeth Oesch (1881-1968)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Aug 1 p. 11

Birth date: 1881 Oct 3

text of obituary:

IDA ELIZABETH SMITH

Ida Elizabeth (Oesch) Smith, daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Nofstelter [sic Hofstelter]) Oesch, was born Oct. 3, 1881 at Elkton, Mo. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rolla Hartzler, on June 29, 1968, at the age of 89 years, eight months and 26 days.

Ida was the fifth child of a family of six children. Her earlier years were marked with disappointments and adjustments; she was left motherless at the age of two and cared for in numerous foster homes until her father remarried. She then acquired three half-sisters and one half-brother.

At the age of 14 she accepted Christ as her Saviour and became a member of the Bethel Mennonite church, later transferring to the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, where she remained a member until her death. She served Christ and was a member of the Mennonite Church for 73 years. On Jan. 7, 1904 she was married to Jacob P. Smith. To this union seven children were born: Ruby Mae, deceased at the age of two-and-a-half years, Blanche, Mrs. J. N. Weaver of Media, Pa.; Lela, Mrs. Rolla Hartzler of Garden City, Mo.; Joe B. of Garden City, Mo.; John J. of Brookfield, Mo.; Ralph P. of Henry, Ill.; and Roy of Kansas City, Mo.

Also surviving are 24 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; a brother, Simon Oesch of Kansas City, Kan.; two half-sisters, Mrs. Mary Yoder of Harrisonville, Mo. and Mrs. Barbara Hartzler of East Lynne, Mo.

Those preceding her in death were her husband, one daughter, three grandsons, four sisters (Sarah Kauffman, Emma and Katherine Lehman, and Ella Yoder), and two brothers (Will and Daniel Oesch).

Ida and her husband lived on the farm until 1943 when they moved to Garden City where he died in 1952. Ten years later (1962) she moved into a mobile home beside her daughter.

Her health failed rapidly in the past year. Several months ago she was moved into her daughter's home where she was tenderly cared for. The family and grandchildren will remember her for her great interest and concern in their physical and spiritual welfare.

Interment was in the Clearfork Cemetery near Garden City, Mo. Officiating was Rev. Earl B. Eberly, pastor of the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church.