Wenger, Michael (1853-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1945 Aug 21 p. 15

Birth date: 1853 Nov 12

text of obituary:

Michael Wenger, Sohn von Abraham und Sarah Geil Wenger, ward am 12. Nov. 1853 nahe Edom, Virginia als 4tes Kind von 8 geboren und starb am 19. Juli 1945 zu Aberdeen, Idaho, der letzte der Familie, im Alter von 91 J. 8 M. und 7 Tagen. Als er 15 Jahre alt war zog die Familie auf eine Farm in Morgan County, Missouri, wo sein Vater im folgenden Jahr starb. Als Jüngling ward er getauft und Glied der Bethel Mennonitengemeinde zu Fortuna, Mo. und blieb lebenslänglich Glied der Mennonitengemeinde. Am 23. Dez. 1879 heiratete er Rosina Welty und es wurden ihnen 3 Söhne und 2 Töchter geschenkt, wovon ein Töchterchen jung starb. 1898 kam die Familie nach Newton, Kansas, wo sie die Speisehalle am Bethel College 4 Jahre übernahmen und dann farmten. 1908 zogen sie nach Aberdeen, Idaho unter den ersten Ansiedlern des Aberdeen-Springfield Bewässerungs-Projekts, und wohnten dort bis 1929 auf ihrer Farm, worauf sie in die Stadt zogen. Das Elternpaar durfte 63 Jahre in glücklicher Ehe leben bis die Gattin am 2. Januar 1943 abgerufen wurde. 1939 erlitt der Entschlafene schlimme Brandwunden als seine Kleider beim Blätterverbrennen in Brand gerieten und im Oktober 1944 fiel er und brach die Hüfte. Darauf war er viel ans Bett und den Rollstuhl gebunden, hatte sich aber soweit erholt, daß er gestützt gehen konnte bis Altersschäche ihn etwa 4 Wochen vor seinem Heimgang ans Bett band. Es überleben ihn: Tochter Sadie C. Wenger, die ihn so treu pflegte, Ira J. und Frank L. Wenger, Aberdeen; und Paul A. Wenger, Missionar zu Korba, Indien; dazu 7 Enkel und 1 Urenkel. Die Begräbnisfeier am 23. Juli in der Mennonitenkirche in Aberdeen ward geleitet von Pred. H. N. Harder. Text, Ps. 50:5: “Versammelt mir meine Heiligen, den Bund mit mir gemacht haben beim Opfer.” (Menge übersetzt: “Versammelt mir meine Frommen, die den Bund mit mir geschlossen unter Opfern!”)

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 9 p. 1

text of obituary:

PIONEER FARMER AND FATHER OF MISSIONARY CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Aberdeen, Idaho. — Funeral services for Michael Wenger, retired pioneer farmer, were held at the First Mennonite church here on Thursday, July 19.

Rev. H. N. Harder pastor of the church was in charge.

Before coming to Aberdeen the Wengers lived at Newton, Kansas, where they operated the Bethel College dining hall for four yars [sic]. In 1908 they moved to Aberdeen where they were engaged in farming till 1929, when they moved to town.

In 1930, Mr. Wenger received severe burns when his clothing caught fire while he was burning leaves. In October, 1944, he fell and broke his hip; thus he had to spend much time in bed and in a wheel chair. Due to weaknesses of old age he became bedfast a week before he passed away.

He is survived by one daughter, Sadie C. Wenger, and three sons, Ira J., Frank L. Wenger and Paul A. Wenger, who is a missionary at Korba, C. P., India.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Aug 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

MICHAEL WENGER

Michael Wenger, son of Abraham and Sarah Geil Wenger, was born November 12, 1853, near Eden, Virginia, the fourth of a family of eight children. He died July 19, 1945, at his home in Aberdeen, Idaho, the last of his immediate family to pass away. He reached the age of 91 years, 8 months and 7 days.

At the age of 15 he moved with his parents and brothers and sisters from Virginia to a farm in Morgan county, Missouri, where his father died the following year, leaving the mother to bring up the surviving six children.

Early in his young manhood he was baptized upon confession of faith and received into the membership of the Bethel Mennonite church at Fortuna, Missouri, and remained a faithful member of the Mennonite church until his death.

On December 23, 1879, he was united in marriage with Rosina Welty. This union was blessed with five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one daughter died in infancy.

In 1898 the family moved to Newton, Kansas, where they operated the Bethel College dining hall for four years and then engaged in farming. In 1908 they moved to Aberdeen, Idaho, and were among the early settlers on the Aberdeen-Springfield irrigation project, living on their farm until1 1929 when they retired and moved to town. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger were privileged to spend 63 years together in loving companionship before Mrs. Wenger passed away on January 2, 1943.

In 1939 Mr. Wenger sustained severe burns when his clothing caught fire while he was burning leaves, and in October, 1944, he fell and broke his hip. These afflictions caused him to spend considerable time in bed and on a wheel chair, but he had recovered so that he was again able to walk with assistance when weaknesses incident to old age overtook him and he became bedfast for about a week before he passed away.

Surviving him are one daughter, Sadie C. Wenger, and two sons, Ira J. and Frank L. Wenger of Aberdeen, Idaho, and one son Paul A. Wenger of Korba, C. P., India; also 7 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services were conducted on July 23, at the First Mennonite church, Aberdeen, Idaho. Rev. H. N. Harder officiating. Text, Psalms 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

The Mennonite obituary: 1945 Aug 21 p. 7