Wedel, Susanna Unruh (1864-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Mar 2 p. 3

Birth date: 1864 Jan 6

text of obituary:

MRS. SUSANNA WEDEL

Mrs. Susanna Wedel, daughter of Peter and Caroline Koehn Unruh, was born on January 6, 1864, in Antonofka, Poland. The early years her of her life were spent in the old country. At the age of 10 years she came to this country with her parents in the great Mennonite migration of 1874. They settled and made their first home in an immigrant house near Florence, Kansas. Later they moved to a farm near Moundridge, Kansas.

On March 3, 1880, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Elder Johann Ratzlaff, being among the first group to be baptized by Elder Ratzlaff. She was received as a member Into the Emmanuel Mennonite church near Moundridge, Kansas.

On Nov. 12, 1882, she was united in marriage to David A. Wedel. To Bro. and Sister Wedel were born six children.

Today, these who remain to share in the sorrow of the passing of Sister Wedel are her children: Caroline (Mrs. H. U. Schmidt), Miss Dena Wedel, Mary (Mrs. Isaac Koehn). Susie (Mrs. Tob P. Unruh), all of Meno, Okla., and one son, Jacob D. Wedel of Enid; 15 grandchildren, six step grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, 35 great grandchildren [sic phrase repeated in original], one great great grandchild and three brothers, David B. Unruh and Jacob P. Unruh of Meno, and John P. Unruh of Ringwood. Many other relatives and friends share in the sorrow.

Loved ones preceding her in death are her husband in 1933, one son Edward in 1916, one son-in-law, Andrew Koehn In 1917, and three grandchildren.

In 1893 her husband came to Oklahoma and took part in the Run and staked a claim to which they came a year later to make their home. This remained her earthly home till the day of her death. She became a charter member of the New Hopedale Mennonite Church of Meno, Okla. and remained a faithful member till the end.

Her life has not been an easy one, yet she was happy and content at her station in life. Deafness was a serious handicap in her life yet as a result of it many blessings came to her. She gave much time to reading and had committed to memory many hymns which brought her much joy and comfort during her lingering illness.

In 1906 it seemed that her days here might soon come to a close when she submitted to a serious operation. Though her health had been failing greatly the lord brought her through and gave her yet many years in this life.

She had been bedfast since March of 1949 when she fell and broke her hip. In the later months other complications set in which caused her to suffer much. But on February 5, 1950, the Lord relieved her of all suffering when He called her to her heavenly home. She attained the age of 86 years and 29 days.

The Mennonite obituary: 1950 Feb 28 p. 139