Waltner, Mary (1873-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Sep 16 p. 9

Birth date: 1873

text of obituary:

MARY WALTNER

Mary Waltner, the oldest child of Andrew and Freni Kaufman Waltner, was born in Volhynia, Russia Dec. 13, 1873. When she was about one and one-half years old, her parents emigrated from Russia to the Freeman, South Dakota community and established a homestead where she spent the greater part of her life.

Because of the illness of her mother, she assumed the responsibility of house mother while still very young. This obligation she faithfully fulfilled to all the younger members of the family until they left the old home. After all the other children had left she lived alone. When the Salem Home for the Aged at Freeman, S. D. opened, she made her home there.

She was baptized by Rev. Christian Kaufman July 15, 1888, and became a member of the Salem-Zion Mennonite church. Later when the Salem Mennonite church was organized, she, with the other members of the family, transferred her membership there and remained a member until her death.

Her education was limited to interrupted attendance in the country school. Yet she was a profound reader and was well informed on the affairs of the day.

By nature she was sympathetic. Her concern for others is vividly shown by the fact that she spent several years on a nearby farm taking care of an invalid sister and a blind, ailing aunt.

She had an optimistic view of life and was never discouraged. Her cheerful personality expressed itself in her custom of singing while she worked. The song she most frequently sang was “Mut, Harre auf den Morgen’' (Joy Commeth [sic Cometh] in the Morning).

She died quietly in the Freeman Community hospital Monday, August 16, 1954, after a strenuous but useful life at the age of 81 years, eight months and three days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Regina, a sister Anna and her husband, Peter Senner, and a brother Jacob. Surviving her are Jonas and wife of California, Ben of Kansas, Joe and wife of Washington, Lena and husband, Andrew P. Graber, of Kansas, and Elizabeth of California.

Funeral services were held in the Salem Mennonite church August 19, 1954, with Rev. J. Herbert Fretz officiating, and burial was made in the Salem ceemtery [sic].