Weinbrenner, Robert (1870-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 28 Dec 1950 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 Jan 24

text of obituary:

ROBERT WEINBRENNER

Robert Weinbrenner, son of Albert and Karolina (nee Weyand) Weinbrenner, was born January 24, 1870, in Langenback-Westerwald, Germany, and passed away November 23, 1950, reaching the age of 80 years and 10 months. As an infant he was baptized in the Evangelical church and later confirmed at the age of 14 years, and joined the Evangelical church of Kuerburg in 1884.

He received his elementary education in the community where his parents lived.

He emigrated to the U. S. in 1893, arriving at Hillsboro, Kansas on May 8, 1893. He made his home with the Heinrich Schmidt family and worked for them. Eight years later he went back to Germany to visit his parents, brothers and sisters for a period of about three months. When he returned again to the U. S. he took up farming

On May 1, 1903, he was united in marriage to Maria Schmidt. They were permitted to share life's joys and sorrows for 47 years, six months and 22 days. This union was blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters, of which one son and one daughter died in infancy.

In April 1921 when the widow of Otto Smith died and left five orphans behind, the parents took one of the orphan children by the name of Elmer, aged five years. He made his home with the parents for about 13 years.

The departed enjoyed good health until March 1945 when he developed a heart ailment from which he never fully recovered. His health failed rapidly about two years ago, and he was under the doctor's care continuously.

In 1937 the parents retired from farming and lived in their own country home near their farm, which was located northeast of the Alexanderwohl church. Here they enjoyed the declining years of life together. In April 1950 they entered the home for the aged at Goessel, Kans. where they received the best of care.

On Nov. 23, 1950, at 8:45 in the morning he went to his heavenly reward. His death was due to a heart attack. He was preceded by two children, four grandchildren and six sisters.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Maria and the following children: Bertha and Henry M. Schmidt and family of Hillsboro, Kans.; Albert and Ella Weinbrenner and family of Lehigh, Kans.; Lydia and Bennie Unruh and family of Hillsboro; Elmer, who was reared in the home, and his wife Clara and daughter Sharyl of Wichita, Kans.; one brother Richard and his wife Lena of Hillsboro; eleven grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Bethesda Old Folks Home at Goessel on Nov. 27 in charge of the pastor, Rev. Philip A. Wedel, and also at the Alexanderwohl church in charge of Rev. Wedel, assisted by Rev. C. C. Wedel.