Wedel, Lena Krehbiel (1875-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jan 25 p. 5

Birth date: 1875 Oct 30

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— The wide circle of friends of Mrs. P. J. Wedel of North newton were grieved to hear of her death at her home at 8:30 o'clock last Sunday morning. Although she was able to be up and around until a few weeks ago, she had been in failing health for over two years. Friends and relatives from many surrounding communities attended the large funeral which was held at the Bethel College chapel at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Lester Hostetler, pastor of the church, was in charge. She reached the age of 69 years. The Bethel College campus had been her home for the greater part of her life after her marriage to her now deeply bereaved husband, Dr. P. J. Wedel. Three children survive, Esther of the home; Margaret, a teacher in the Lincoln grade school here, and Dr. Waldo R. Wedel, assistant curator at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D. C. Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Feb 8 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. PETER J. WEDEL

Lena Krehbiel Wedel was born near Pandora, Putnam Co., Ohio, on October 30, 1875. She was the tenth of twelve children of Henry and Anna Suter Krehbiel, who had come to America from the Kiev area of western Russia in the great Mennonite immigration of 1874.

The first twelve years of her life were spent on the farm in Ohio, where she began her education in the public schools of that state. In 1888, two years after her father's death, the family moved to Kansas, spending the first winter in Pretty Prairie, then moving to Moundridge where she completed her education in the public schools of that city.

On May 21, 1893, she was baptized by the Rev. Val. Krehbiel and joined the Mennonite church at Christian, then located one mile south of Moundridge, Kansas. On August 20, 1899, she was married to P. J. Wedel and spent the first three years of married life in Lindsborg, Kansas. Here was born the first of four children who came to bless the home.

In August 1902, in response to a call to Mr. Wedel by the Bethel College Board of Directors, the family moved to the Bethel College campus, where it has resided since with the exception of one year (August 1915 — August 1916) spent in California. In 1905, she and her husband joined the Bethel College church, where she remained a faithful member until her death. Here were born their three other children. Twenty years of happy, industrious home life and church activity followed. In the early thirties signs of failing health began to appear, diagnosed by her physician as diabetes. But under excellent medical care the disease was kept under control and for several years more she continued to supervise and perform the duties of the home.

In 1938 she suffered an attack of encephalitis, which presaged her early departure from this life. But even then, medical skill and loving care at home warded off the fatal stroke for six more years. The end came peacefully and without suffering at 8:40 o'clock on Sunday morning, January 21, while she was surrounded by her loved ones, all living members of her immediate family being present and also her only surviving sister.

Funeral services were held in the Bethel College chapel on Tuesday, January 23, with Rev. L. Hostetler in charge, assisted by President E. G. Kaufman and Mrs. Ervin Goering in charge of the music. Miss Ethel Dick sang "The City Four-Square" and the Bethel College chorus sang "My God and I" and "Near to the Heart of God," all favorites of the deceased. P. S. Goertz, J. F. Moyer, J. J. Siemens, C. J. Kauffman, A. J. Regier and H. P. Jantzen served as pall-bearers.

Burial took place in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Kansas, on January 23.

She leaves to mourn her departure; her husband, two daughters, Esther A., of the home and Margaret E., kindergarten teacher in the Newton schools; a son, Waldo R., Associate Curator of Archaeology at the U. S. National Museum, Washignton, D. C.; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Waldo R. Wedel; and two grandsons, Waldo M. and Frank P. Wedel. A son, Karl E., preceded her in death at the tend age of nine weeks. A sister, Mrs. Jacob Kaufman, Rago, Kansas, and a brother, Philip H. Krehbiel of Beatrice, Nebraska, also survive.

She was possessed of a sunny vivacious, affectionate disposition, which made her a favorite with all who knew her intimately. An alert mind caused her to take an active interest not only in the work of the church, but included a considerable range of other interests.

Flowers and children were the objects of her special care and attention. A love for the beautiful and a creative spirit found expression in painting and in fine needlework, to which her home abundantly testifies. The dominating motive of her life was however her religion. The church papers were always the first to be read by her, and her activities in this line covered years of teaching in the beginner's department of the Sunday School, and of active membership in the Women's Missionary Society of the Bethel College church, besides being ready and willing to assist in the work of the church wherever and whenever her services were called for.

However, her home always received first consideration. In appreciation of her as a loving wife and mother, a paraphrase of the words of the write of the book of Provers may well be applied to her: The heart of her husband could safely trust in her; she did him good and not evil all the days of her life; she opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue was the law of kindness; she looked well to the ways of her household; her children rise up and call her memory blessed and her husband also praiseth her. She is now reaping the fruit of her hands and her works praise her in blessed memory.

     O dear one there!
Whose voice, now hushed, as left our pathway lonely.
     We come ere long, your blessed home to share;
We take the guiding hand, we trust it only —
     Seeing by faith beyond the clouded air
     That land so fair.