Staufer, Lizzie Schnebele (1871-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Dec 24 p. 11

Birth date: 1871 Apr 15

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN STAUFER

Mrs. John Staufer (nee Lizzie Schnebele) of Deer Creek, Okla. was born on April 15, 1871, near Donnellson, Iowa, and passed away in her sleep at her home on Nov. 19, 1964. She reached the age of 93 years, seven months and four days. She was the daughter of Jacob and Katharina Lowenberg Schnebele.

At the age of 13 she was baptized upon her confession of faith and joined the Zion Mennonite Church of Donnellson, Iowa, of which Rev. Christian Schowalter was the pastor at that time.

On Jan. 16, 1898, she was married to John Staufer at the Zion Mennonite Church of Donnellson. With her husband she moved to a farm in Oklahoma where he had been living for a few years. They arrived at their home in Oklahoma on Feb. 15, 1898, the day on which the town of Deer Creek was founded.

To this union were born seven children: Marie and Freda [sic Frieda], who preceded her in death, Leona, Anna, and Milton, and twin daughters who died in infancy.

In December 1940 they retired and moved to the town of Deer Creek to make their home. They shared more than 56 years together. Her husband preceded her in death by ten years.

She loved the church and its mission. She was the last charter member of the Deer Creek Mennonite Church, which was organized on August 27, 1899.

God blessed her with good health. To her last days she was able to enjoy her fondness for reading and visiting with relatives.

She leaves to mourn three of her children, Leona, Anna, and Milton of Deer Creek; one sister, Mrs. Kathryn Kuehny of Deer Creek; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were held on Nov. 21 in the Deer Creek Mennonite Church, with Rev. Willard Stucky officiating. Burial was made in Bayard Cemetery near Deer Creek.