Voth, Ferdinand (1896-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 10 p. 6

Birth date: 1896 Oct 8

text of obituary:

. . .

— Ferdinand Voth, 64, of West Seventh street died Sunday afternoon after being admitted to the Bethel Deaconess hospital, having become ill only a short time before. Mr. Voth had suffered a heart attack several years ago but made a good recovery and had resumed his work as a teacher. He was a member of the faculty at Sedgwick High school. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at the Bethel College Mennonite church, Rev. Russell Mast officiating. Surviving are Mrs. Voth, the former Katherina Funk, a son Eugene and daughter Winifred Sue, of the home; two brothers, Rev. W. C. Voth and Edward D. Voth, both of Newton; one sister, Mrs. J. J. Janzen of Medford, Okla.; and nieces and nephews, including H. Victor Klassen, who lived with the family for several years.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 24 p. 10

text of obituary:

FERDINAND VOTH

Ferdinand Voth was born at ElReno, Okla. on Oct. 8, 1895 to Cornelius C. and Sarah (Duerksen) Voth. In February 1903 the family moved to Gotebo, Okla. where Ferdinand grew to manhood. After completing his elementary education in the Gotebo schools he attended the Mennonite Preparatory school at Gotebo, graduating in 1916.

He was baptized on confession of faith in the Friedenstal church of Gotebo by Rev. Henry Riesen on Dec. 26, 1912.

In 1920 when the mother with her family moved to Newton, Kan. he joined the First Mennonite church. He attended Bethel academy, graduating in 1922, and continued with the college course for two years.

He was married to Katherina Funk of Herbert, Sask. Canada on August 23, 1925. Then followed two years of teaching in the Herbert High school in Herbert, Sask. and eight years of citrus farming in the Rio Grande Valley, at Donna, Texas.

In 1931 Mr. and Mrs. Voth opened their home to a nephew, Victor Klassen, who lived with them for nine years, receiving his high school, college and musical education, the family meanwhile returning to Newton.

Here Ferdinand again returned to Bethel college working on the side. Always an eager and enthusiastic student and worker, he also took a course in electrical refrigeration. He graduated from Bethel college in 1940, receiving the Bachelor of Science degree. In 1943 he received his state life teachers' certificate.

For the last 20 years he had been teaching in various high schools in Kansas — Monument, Bloom, Cheney, and since 1945, at Sedgwick.

In 1947 a son Eugene and a daughter Winifred Sue were taken into the home by adoption. He has been a faithful and loyal husband and a loving father. His colleagues in the teaching profession testify to the continual emphasis on Christian character building in all his teaching and discipline.

He took active part in church activities in the churches where they lived, serving as Sunday school teacher, as member of the choir and in other ways. In April 1953 they transferred their membership to the Bethel College church of which he continued a faithful member until his death.

In April 1956 he suffered a severe heart attack from which he recuperated. A second heart attack after two weeks necessitated a longer period of hospitalization, but for the last year and a half he had been in full-time work. A third and fatal heart attack overtook him on March 6, and he left us to be with the Lord.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Katherina Voth, he leaves a son, Charles Eugene, a daughter, Winifred Sue, a sister, Mrs. Susie Janzen of Medford, Okla., and two brothers, William C. and Edward D. and their families of Newton, several nephews and nieces, as well as other relatives and many friends, pupils and colleagues in school and church. His father and mother, two sisters and one brother preceded him in death.

We mourn not as those who have no hope. When his wife asked him in his last moments whether he was ready to go he answered in a loud and firm voice, “Yes.”