Wedel, Fred C. (1880-1946)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1946 Aug 6 p. 14

Birth date: 1880 Nov 18

text of obituary:

Fred C. Wedel, Sohn von Cornelius B. und Nettie Richert Wedel, ward geboren am 18. November, 1880 nahe Moundridge Kansas. Er brachte seine Jugendjahre auf einer Farm Nordost von Moundridge, Kansas zu und ging da zur Distrikt Schule. Er wurde von Aelt. Peter Balzer getauft am 27. Mai, 1901 und nahm Jesus Christus an als seinen Erlöser. Er ward aufgenommen in die Emmanuel Gemeinde und diente 26 Jahre als Vorsteher in dieser Gemeinde. Am 17. März, 1907 verheiratete er sich mit Ida Koehn, Tochter von John H. und Marie Wedel Koehn. Er ist immer ein lieber Vater und ein gutes Vorbild in der Gemeinde gewesen. Seit dem 12. Juni, 1944 hat er an einem Herzschlag gelitten und ward erlöset von seinen Schmerzen am 20. Juli, 1946 abends um 10 Uhr. Er ward 65 Jahre, 8 Mo. und 2 Tage alt. Er hinterläßt seine trauernde Wittwe, 3 Töchter, und einen Sohn: Ella, Marie, und Daton, alle von Galva; Bertha, Mrs. Elmer Jantz; Tochtermann, Elmer Jantz, und 4 Großkinder, alle von Canton, die ihm viel Freude brachten. Die Begräbnisfeier fand statt in der Emmanuel Kirche nahe Moundridge, Kansas am Vormittag des 23. Juli. Er ward zur Ruhe gelegt auf dem Emmanuel Friedhof.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Aug 8 p. 3, 6

text of obituary:

FRED C. WEDEL

Fred C. Wedel, son of Cornelius B. and Nettie Richert Wedel, was born November 18, 1880, near Moundridge, Kansas.

He spent his boyhood years on a farm four miles north and one mile east of Moundridge. Here in the Farm community he received his formal education at the district school. He received his early religious education in a German bible school which was sponsored and supervised by the local church.

Early in life he showed a profound interest in the Holy Scriptures, which he studied and searched diligently. He received catechetical instruction along with a class of 14 members, and upon his own confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as his only personal Saviour and Redeemer, he was baptized on May 27, 1901. The Elder Peter Balzer officiated at the baptismal service. At this time he was received into the fellowship of the Canton, now the Emmanuel, Mennonite Church. Here he dedicated his life to the Lord and to service in his church.

He gave freely of his time, interest and prayerful effort in behalf of church work and served faithfully until the time of his departure. He served in the office of a church board member for 26 years, and in various other capacities.

His loyalty to God and the church was founded in a deep and abiding faith in the solid rock foundation of Jesus Christ. never did he become dissatisfied with his once-accepted faith. the greatest joy and satisfaction came to him as he served his Lord. many a life has been blessed and enriched by his steadfast, unmovable faith in Christ his Saviour.

The church has been blessed by his services and will greatly miss him in his place of duty. He shed many tears of sorrow and joy as the church experienced its periods of retrogression and progress. Somehow we can hear the Lord say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

The source of his strength for his untiring labor in the Lord's vineyard came as a result of a fervent prayer life. He had much faith in prayer and experienced the joy of many an answered prayer. He spent much time in the study of god's Word, and as he grew older the Word became mroe precious to him. He enjoyed the singing of Gospel hymns immensely and some of his favorite hymns were, "Shall We Gather At the River," "Faith of Our Fathers," and "O Have Ye Not Heard of That Beautiful Stream."

On March 17, 1907, he was united in holy matrimony with Ida Koehn, daughter of John H. and Marie Wedel Koehn. Together they have walked life's pathway, sharing their mutual joys and sorrows for 39 years, four months and three days. This happy union was blessed with four children. Since farming was his life's occupation, the family made their home of various farms, but always in McPherson county. The last 16 years they have lived on a farm locate one and one half miles west of Galva.

As a father he was always loving and kind, putting the needs of his family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. He was confident that Joshua's testimony was the secret to a glorious and happy home when he said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." He found great joy and happiness in his children and grandchildren and in his faithful companion, who were of much comfort and encouragement to him, especially during his period of illness preceeding [sic] his death.

His health began failing when on June 12, 1944 he suffered his first stroke. he had not fully regained his strength when on December 4th and 5th of 1945 successively he suffered two more strokes which left him as a partial invalid and affected his speech. From this he never recovered.

On January 21, 1946 he developed pneumonia and was taken to the McPherson county hospital, where he remained until March 9, 1946. Being eager to go home to be with his family, he was hopeful about regaining his health. At times it would appear as though he was gaining strength, but seemingly he was subject o back-sets which made recovery impossible.

On May 5 and July 12 respectively he suffered heart attacks, the latter causing his death. On July 20, 1946 at 10:35 p.m. he peacefully answered the summons of his Lord. The family was at the bedside at the time of his departure. he reached the age of 65 years, eight months, and two days.

During all his illness he was very patient and considerate. He often expressed his desire to leave his body of suffering to go home to be with the Lord. His longing finds expression in words of St. Paul, "For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven." II Cor. 5:1-2. He often said, "I am ready and willing to meet my Lord."

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, Ida; four children, Ella Viola, Marie Elsie, Dayton Eudean, of Galva, and Bertha Pauline (Mrs. Elmer Jantz) of Canton; four grandchildren, three sisters, five brothers, and a host of relatives and friends. Several brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

We mourn not as those without hope, for we felieve [sic] that father rests in peace with the Lord. The days filled with sorrow, tears, and suffering are now replaced by heavenly joy and peace. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth! yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them."

Funeral services were held on Tuesday morning,July 23, 1946, at the Emmanuel Mennonite church with the local pastor, Rev. Garman Wedel, officiating and being assisted by the Rev. A. J. Dyck. Interment was made in the Emmanuel Mennonite cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1946 Aug 13 p. 14