Wedel, Nettie Jantz (1879-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Mar 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Mar 2

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN C. WEDEL

Nettie Jantz Wedel, daughter of Henry and Anna Base Jantz, was born near Pawnee Rock, Barton county, Kansas on Mar. 2, 1879, and died on January 31, 1949 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lincoln H. Unruh, Galva, Kansas.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour on Sept. 17, 1899, by Elder John Gerbrandt. She was one of the first two persons to be baptized in the Friedensthal Mennonite congregation.

On March 17, 1901, she entered into bonds of holy matrimony with John C. Wedel, who preceded her in death by eight months. To this union were born six children: Mabel, Mrs. John P. Suderman of Mt. Lake, Minn.; Ida, Mrs. Lincoln H. Unruh of Galva, Kansas; Sadie, Mrs. Milton Schwartz of Pretty Prairie, Kansas; Walter, who died in infancy; Nathan and Waldo of Tampa, Kansas.

After living near Galva for several years the family moved to near Tampa, Kansas, settling on a farm where they labored together and shared their joys and sorrows. Since Mr. Wedel's death she had made her home with the children, who each had the privilege of ministering to her needs for a six-week period. This will always remain a cherished memory.

In the year 1931 she surrendered fully to the Lord Jesus Christ and by His grace received full assurance of her salvation.

She was a loyal companion and a devoted mother. She was constantly concerned about the welfare of her children and was much in prayer for them. She found great delight in the visits of her children and grandchildren. The family altar was always a vital part of the life in the home. The needy, the discouraged, and those in distress always found a welcome in the home. Many a visiting minister of the Gospel has become a very benediction for the home and the family.

In July 1945 she suffered a stroke which paralyzed her right side. She struggled valiantly to regain her strength and slowly resumed many of her former household duties. Though her right arm was left helpless she learned to use her left hand. Then in May 1948 she experienced a second stroke. During the last few months she spent much time in reading the Bible and in prayer. She also expressed her readiness to depart whenever God would call her home to glory.

On Jan. 7, 1949, she suffered another stroke and continually lost strength. On Jan. 29 she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, lapsing into unconsciousness from which she never rallied. The Lord called her home on Jan. 31 at nine o’clock in the morning. She reached the age of 69 years 10 months and 29 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure three daughters, two sons, three sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, seventeen grandchildren, four brothers, six sisters, and a host of friends. Preceeding [sic] her in death were her husband; one son, Walter; one grandchild, Richard Lee Wedel; three brothers, and one sister.

Funeral services were conducted in the home with Rev. Harry Beiers from the Tampa M. B. church speaking on Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints,” and the quartet singing "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" and “I Know of a City.”

In the church Bro. Harvey Jantz spoke on Job 14:14, on the question, “If a man die shall he live again?" With the answer of John 11:25-26, that in Jesus Christ there is life eternal and the blessed assurance of a resurrection, where as outside of Jesus there is an eternity of death. Rev. A. J. Dirks from Halstead gave a message on “Going Home,” based on John 14:1-6. The quartette sang "Asleep in Jesus" and "Resting Now.”

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Mar 17 p. 5

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— Funeral services were conducted at the Alexanderwohl church Sunday afternoon for Mrs. John W. Wedel, 79, who died of heart attack early Thursday morning, March 10, at her home in the Goessel community. Rev. P. A. Wedel and Rev. C. C. Wedel were in charge of the service, and Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Dirks of the Garden Township church sang two numbers. She is survived by her husband and three daughters, Frieda of the home, Mrs. Peter Dirks of Burrton, and Mrs. P. H. Schmidt of Canton.