Wedel, Benjamin B. (1871-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jun 16 p. 6

Birth date: 1871 May 19

text of obituary:

— Death removed another of the pioneer settlers of the Alexanderwohl group with passing of Benjamin B. Wedel Sunday afternoon at the Bethesda hospital in Goessel. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Bergen funeral home and the Alexanderwohl church. Mr. Wedel was born in South Russia on May 19, 1871, and came to this area in 1874. He farmed for many years in the Goessel community and also served as secretary of the Mennonite Hilfs Plan. Survivors include one son, Ben Wedel of Newton, ten daughters, 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. For three years Mr. Wedel made his home with a daughter, Mrs. H. S. Goertzen, in Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jun 30 p. 8

text of obituary:

BENJAMIN B. WEDEL

Benjamin B. Wedel, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Banman Wedel, was born May 19, 1870, in the province of Alexanderwohl, South Russia.

At the age of four years he emigrated to this country with his parents in the large emigration of the Mennonites form Russia to North America in 1874. He also experienced with his parents the hardships and trials of pioneer life. However, implicit faith and trust in God gave his parents as well as the entire family the courage to go forward and work for their physical as well as spiritual sustenance.

He received his education in the Balzer Preparatory school where he received his public school training as well as religious training.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in His Redeemer Jesus Christ June 10, 1889, by Rev. Jacob Buller and joined the Alexanderwohl church whose faithful member he remained until his death.

On Jan. 15, 1895, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Unrau. This union was blessed with eight children, one son and seven daughters. One daughter, Bertha, passed away in early childhood. The mother was also taken in death Jan. 11, 1909.

On Oct. 11, 1910, he was united in marriage to Katherine Krause who took over the many duties of mother, and to this union were born four daughters. One orphan boy, Adolph Hiebert, was also given a home from the age of six until 18 years of age. His second wife, Katherine, was taken in death May 8, 1942.

The departed served in his church for 40 years in the various Sunday School positions. For 24 years he was secretary of the Mennonite Aid Insurance Society which gave him opportunity to come in contact with many people and serve them.

Mr. Wedel lived on the farm just north of the Alexanderwohl church most of his life. He made his home in Hutchinson for five years with his daughters Tina and Arpa after retiring from his farm in the Goessel community. For the pat three years he lived in Newton with Mrs. H. S. Goertzen and her husband.

He entered the Bethesda hospital June 2 where all possible aid was given him by the doctors and nurses, but he passed away suddenly on Sunday afternoon, June 12, 1955, reaching the age of 85 years and 23 days.

Those who mourn his departure are the following children: Lena, Mrs. Clarence Unruh and family of Pawnee Rock, Kans.; Mathilda, Mrs. Henry Goetrzen [sic Goertzen] and family of Newton; Miss Elizabeth Wedel, Newton; Hannah, Mrs. Jacob E. Unruh and family of Rural Newton; Marie, Mrs. J. F. Banman and family of Lehigh, Kans.; Ida, Mrs. Lee Doerksen and family of Eugene, Ore.; Tina Wedel, an exchange teacher at Bad Gaedesberg, Germany; Ruth Wedel of Goessel, Kans.; Arpa Wedel of Hutchinson, Kans.; Margaret, Mrs. Emmet Gilman and family of Salem, Oregon; Ben Wedel and family of Newton.

In addition to the children, Mr. Wedel is survived by 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. Six grandchildren preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held in the Bergen funeral home and in the Alexanderwohl church on June 15 in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Dr. D. C. Wedel of Bethel College and Rev. J. E. Entz of Newton. Interment was made in the Alexanderwohl church cemetery.