Stauffer, Joseph Ethan (1895-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jun 5 p. 9

Birth date: 1895 Dec 3

text of obituary:

JOSEPH ETHAN STAUFFER

Joseph Ethan Stauffer, son of Joseph R. Stauffer and Mattie Bender Stauffer, was born near Milford, in Seward county, Nebraska on December 3, 1895; died in the Tofield Municipal hospital on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., May 17, 1952, aged 56 years, five months and 14 days. In his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and was baptized in Nebraska, becoming a member of the Mennonite Church. Between heart attacks on the last day of his life his mind remained clear to the last, during which time he gave personal testimony to his preparedness to meet his Saviour and Lord.

In 1913 he moved with his parents to the Bardo district in central Alberta, just south of the town of Tofield. Here he made his home the rest of his life.

On December 27, 1917, he was united in marriage with Petra Signora Lerbekmo. This union was blessed with a son, Leonard Wayne, and a daughter, Evelyn Luella, Mrs. Norman Stauffer.

Mr. Stauffer was highly respected by all who knew him as a neighbor, friend, and farmer. He leaves to mourn his departure his loving wife, his son Leonard Wayne and wife Evelyne, his daughter Evelyn Luella and husband Norman Stauffer, two grandsons, and two grandaughters [sic]. One grandson preceded him. Also he leaves five sisters, Mrs. Lena Reil, Mrs. Pheobe [sic Phoebe] Lauber, Mrs. Joseph (Fannie) Voegtlin, Mrs. David L. (Lucinda) Yoder, all of the Tofield district, and Mrs. Barbara Brenneman of Hesston, Kansas and one brother. Ezra Stauffer also of the Tofield district. One brother, David, and one sister Amanda, passed away in their infancy, and a few years ago his sister, Mrs. Lydia Roth, passed away. He also leaves to mourn his departure a large circle of nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends.

Just before Christmas in 1941 while in Edmonton Alberta he was seized with an heart attack from which he eventually seemed to make a good recovery, but on January 2, 1952, he was seized by another heart attack from which he partially but not fully recovered. On Thursday, May 15, he again entered the Tofield Municipal hospital for a check-up He seemed quite well until 8:00 p.m. Friday, when he suffered a severe attack. These continued at intervals until his passing.

Funeral services at the home were in charge of Minister M. D. Stutzman, text Psalm 116; at the church in charge of Bishop J. B. Stauffer, text 23rd Psalm. The sermon was by his nephew, Minister Paul Voegtlin, on the text John 14:1-6, and the theme "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Interment in the Salem Mennonite cemetery near Tofield, Alberta.

Pall-bearers were Harvey Brenneman, Albert Haukedahl, Michael Erickson, Iver Moon, Lee Roth, and Will Stauffer.