Walter, Susanna Hofer (1863-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jun 18 p. 9

Birth date: 1863 Jun 19

text of obituary:

MRS. SUSANNA HOFER WALTER

Our beloved mother Susanna Hofer Walter was the daughter of Peter and Barbara Hofer and was born June 19, 1863, in Hutterthal, Russia. When one year old her mother died and her uncle and aunt, John and Katherina Stahl, adopted her and with them she spent her youth and received her schooling.

In 1874 she came to America with them and they located three miles west of Freeman, South Dakota. She went to school in America and learned to read German and English. At the age of 18 she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Rev. David Waldner and became the member of the Hutterdorf church.

On May 31, 1885, she was married to Joseph Walter by Rev. John D. Hofer and became the loving mother of four step-children, Mary, Paul, Zack and Jake. They enjoyed the blessings and privations of the early days eight miles southwest of Bridgewater, S. Dak. To this union nine children were born, two of whom died in infancy and Susie in 1937. Father died on June 19, 1932. In 1945 she moved to Freeman and made her home with her children John and Barbara.

She leaves 10 children, Mary, Mrs. Peter Tschetter, Zack of Bridgewater, Paul of Yale, So. Dak., Sam and Joe of Olivet, So. Dak., Katherina of Salem, So. Dak., and Jake, Peter, John and Barbara of Freeman; also one granddaughter, two great-grandchildren, 24 step-grandchildren, six daughters-in-law.

She enjoyed fairly good health until about January of this year. but since then had severe pain and prayed to the Lord to spare her from being bedfast. She died suddenly Monday, April 27, at the age of 89 years, 10 months and eight days.

Mother spent much time reading her Bible and song book and knew many verses by memory. We as children sorrow not as such without hope, but know that God grants eternal rest to all who live in Him.