Thimm, Katharina Unruh (1871-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Nov 13 p. 8

Birth date: 1871 Apr 3

text of obituary:

. . .

• Mrs. Katherine Thimm, one of the community's oldest residents, died Nov. 4 at the Bethel Home for Aged at the age of 98. Mrs. Thimm was born in Polish Russia and came to the United States at an early age with her parents, Dan and Katie Unruh. She married Martin Thimm at Goessel in 1891 , and he died in 1955. Surviving are sons Lawrence of Wichita, Ted of Emporia, and R. Wilbur of Newton, four daughters, Mrs. Tillie Schmidt, Mrs. Nettie Ollenburger, and Mrs. Sue Higgins, all of Newton, and Mrs. Esther Conrad of Nashville, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Thimm was a member of the Bethel College Church. Rev. Esko Loewen officiated at the funeral, held Friday afternoon at Draper's Funeral Chapel.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Dec 18 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHARINA THIMM

Mrs. Katharina Unruh Thimm was born in Warsaw, Poland on April 3, 1871 and passed away Nov. 4, 1969 at the Bethel Home for the Aged, Newton, Kansas at the age of 98 years, seven months and one day. She was one of the oldest residents of Newton.

Mrs. Thimm was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Unruh. She came to America when she was four years old with her mother, sister, and brother, her father having died in Poland. Upon arrival in this country, her mother passed away leaving the children orphaned. Later, the Pete Richert family took her into their home and raised her. Peter Richert was the father of Dr. Peter Richert, who lived in Goessel and was the founder of Bethesda Hospital.

She was baptized on May 21, 1888 by Jacob Buller and became a member of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. On March 8, 1891 she was married to Martin Thimm. In 1914 she and her husband became members of the Bethel College Mennonite Church, of which she remained a member until her death.

To this marriage three sons and five daughters were born. Surviving are sons Lawrence of Wichita, Ted of Emporia, and R. Wilbur of Newton; four daughters, Mrs. Tillie Schmidt, Mrs. Nettie Ollenburger and Mrs. Sue Higgins of Newton, and Mrs. Esther Conrad of Nashville, Tenn.; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

One daughter Elizabeth (Mrs. Loewen) preceded her in death. Mr. Thimm preceded her in death June 13, 1955.

Most of their years were lived in Newton, the family having moved here in about 1900. Prior to that time they lived on a farm in Marion county, lived briefly in Elbing, and in the State of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Thimm managed the Bethel College boarding hall for a number of years until the college took it over. They lived for some 40 years at 115 Old Main on property now occupied by the Salem United Methodist Church. For the last ten years she has resided in the Bethel Home.

Mrs. Thimm was a quiet, devoted mother who labored unceasingly and faithfully for her family and is beloved in memory for all that she has done and meant. — The Family.