Starra, Martha Fangrath (1910-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Aug 3 p. 28

Birth date: 1910 Mar 31

text of obituary:

MARTHA STARRA

Martha Starra of Kitchener, Ont. passed away June 12. She was born Mar. 31 , 1910 to Gottlieb and Auguste Fangrath in Nagath, West Prussia, the 6th of 10 children. After World War I, the family fled to Goldap, East Prussia for 10 years and then moved to Gehlweiden. She accepted Christ in her early youth, was baptized and joined the Baptist church where her father was choirmaster. She and her siblings each played at least 1 instrument, and as a family, they contributed much to the music in their church and other churches. She married Heinrich Franz Starra June 3, 1932, In 1939 he was drafted into the German army. They covenanted to pray for each other at the same time each day. In 1944 she fled with her children to Hanover, then to Heilsberg in West Germany. In 1946 she was reunited with Heinrich. They immigrated to Stratford, Ont. in 1951, then moved to Kitchener, Ont. In 1953, Heinrich, son Vern and daughter Irene were baptized and, together with Martha, joined Kitchener MB Church. Heinrich died in 1980. She remained active in church, enjoyed many good times at Camp Crossroads, was hospitable and enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, She baked rye bread until a year before she became ill. Predeceased by Heinrich, daughter Hildegard Uloth and 6 siblings, she is mourned by children Elsbeth Krauck, Vern, and Irene Huebner; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 2 sisters. The funeral was in Kitchener MB Church, with Grant Gordon and John Wall ministering.