Stucky, Helena Kaufman (1870-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 20 p. 3

Birth date: 1870 Nov 21

text of obituary:

MRS. J. H. STUCKY

Mrs. J. H. Stucky was born Helena Kaufman on November 21, 1870, in Volynia Province of South Russia. She departed this life at Mercy hospital, Moundridge, on November 8, 1947. Had she lived until the 21st of November she would have attained the age of 77 years.

She immigrated with her father’s family to America in 1874. The family settled near Freeman, South Dakota, and in 1880's moved to Kansas.

On the day she was 16 years old, Mrs. Stucky was baptized by Elder Jacob Stucky upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour. She became a member of the Hopefield Mennontie church at that time and remained a faithful member there the rest of her life, except for an interim of seven years during which time she had transferred her membership to the Monroe, Washington, church.

She was married to Jacob H. Stucky on January 13, 1889, and shared with him for almost 59 years the joys and sorrows of life. Eleven children were born to her. Two died in early infancy. Another, Mathilda, died at the age of eighteen months. The remaining eight, with her husband, survive her and mourn her passing. They are: Anna, Mrs. D. J. Stucky of Moundridge; Sophia, Mrs. B. C. Schmitt, of Stanford, Montana; Martha, Mrs. J. L. Stucky, of McPherson; Lena, Mrs. A. G. Lennon, of Seattle, Washington; Emma, Mrs. Jacob Daum of Elyria; Edward, of Snohomish, Washington; and Marie of McPherson. She leaves five sons-in-law, 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, three sisters, two brothers, and many relatives and friends who grieve at her departure.

As wife and mother, Mrs. Stucky made a home for her family in several localities. Besides the Moundridge and Elyria communities within which she spent the greatest part of her life, the family resided in Stafford county, Kansas, and in Montana and Washington State. Wherever she was known, she was loved and respected because of her simple Christian character and her kind, patient ways. She was tbove [sic] all, the ideal of what a Christian wife and mother should be. Quiet and unassuming, she was still a strong and steadying influence to her husband and to her children and grandchildren. Her faith in God and her love for her Saviour were such that her family could look to her for assurance and consolation in times of stress. It could be said of her, with the wise man of old, “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengthened her arms. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Mrs. Stucky’s health had declined during the last three years and she was under a doctor’s care almost continuously during that time. Even though she suffered weakness and infirmity, she continued to enjoy life. She loved to go to church and visit her children and friends. She deeply appreciated having people visit her and often remarked about their kindnesses to her.

She had been a patient at the Mercy Hospital for some days and her condition had improved to the point that her doctor had allowed her to go home on Sunday, November 2. On Wednesday her condition became worse and she was taken back to the hospital. On Friday morning the doctor diagnosed her illness as pneumonia, and at that time it became quite apparent that it would, in all likelihood, be fatal. She lingered quietly until 5:30 Saturday afternoon when she passed to her Eternal home. She died as she had lived quietly and peacefully, sustained by an unfaltering trust and hope in her Saviour and Life Everlasting.