Swartzendruber, Magdalena Bender (1869-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Ju15 l p. 9

Birth date: 1869 Dec 2

text of obituary:

MRS. MAGDALENA SWARTZENDRUBER

Mrs. Magdalena (Bender) Schwartzendruber [sic Swartzendruber], oldest daughter of Daniel and Louisa Bender, was born near Wellman Iowa Dec. 2, 1869. She lived in this immediate community all her life and passed away at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Gingerich of Wellman, Iowa, June 17, 1954, at the age of 84 years, six months, and 15 days.

On Dec. 6, 1894 she was united in marriage with Christian J. Swartzendruber, who preceded her in death on Jan. 22, 1939. To this union seven children were born. Leroy died in infancy and Orval on Jan. 8, 1854.

The surviving are Milo of West Virginia, Earl of McAllen, Texas, Willard of South Gate, Calif., Louisa, Mrs. Clark Gingerich of Wellman, Iowa, Katie, Mrs. Ezra K Brenneman of Kalona, Iowa, together with 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Also there remains one sister, Mrs. Katie Eash of Wellman, two brothers, Joseph of Iowa City and Amelius of Wellman, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Amanda, Mrs. Amos Miller, and two grandchildren.

In her youth she was baptized and united with the Amish Mennonite church and was a faithful member of the West Union congregation at the time of her death.

She has been in failing health for the past five years, but only the last two days was she stricken with a heart attack. She bore her ailments and sufferings patiently to the last.

She always enjoyed attending church services as long as health permitted and also enjoyed very much the services the young people and others rendered in her home. She was deeply concerned about spiritual matters in the home and church and during her years of illness spent much time in prayer.

Funeral services were held June 19, 1954 at the home by Harvey M. Yoder; at the Lower Deer Creek church conducted by J. Y. Swartzendruber and Robert K. Yoder, and at the Upper Deer Creek cemetery conducted by Eli M. Yutzy.