Wiebe, Margaretha Regier (1862-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 May 1 p. 1

Birth date: 1862 Jun 5

text of obituary:

FINAL SERVICES FOR PIONEER RESIDENT OF KANSAS COMMUNITY

Whitewater, Kansas. — Funeral services took place at the Emmaus Mennonite church on Friday afternoon, April 25, for Mrs. Margaretha Wiebe, who passed away on April 22 at her home six miles northeast of here. She was 85 years old.

Mrs. Wiebe, widow of Henry M. Wiebe, was a pioneer resident of Butler county, coming here 71 years ago from Germany with her parents. She was a member of the Emmaus church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 May 8 p. 6

text of obituary:

MARGARATHE [sic MARGARETHA] WIEBE

Margarathe [sic Margaretha] Wiebe, nee Regier, was born June 5, 1862, in West Prussia, a daughter of Gerhard Regier and Anna, nee Ensz, Regier.

In the year 1876 our grandparents with all their children came to the United States and founded a new home near Brainard [sic Brainerd], Kansas. Since she was a young girl of 13 at that time, she also experienced to some extent the hardships of pioneer life, and in later years enjoyed relating those experiences.

In the year 1878 she was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and became a member of the Emmaus church. She remained a faithful member of this church all the rest of her life.

In the year 1887 she entered the holy state of matrimony with Henry M. Wiebe and established her home on a farm four miles north of Brainard [sic Brainerd]. This union was blessed with 7 children: Mrs. Marie Thiessen, Anna, Henry G. (who died in infancy), Emil H., Henry M., Willie B. and Jacob H.

It was a blessed day for our mother when, in the year 1912, our beloved parents were permitted to celebrate their silver anniversary. Since the last of the sons was married in 1927 and farmed the home place, out parents built a cozy little home close by where they expected to live the rest of their lives.

Mother was not only active with her household duties but she derived great joy in working outside in her garden, and she could be seen early and late busy in her garden and among her flowers. With the blessing of God and her diligent care her garden and flowers were always thriving. But even those hours of joy were mingled with hours of sadness and pain.

Her first great bereavement came in 1928 when her daughter Anna died, whom she expected to be her support in the infirmities of old age. Two years later, in 1930, she was to experience the great sorrow of the death of her husband. Lastly was the death in 1941 of her son willie, who lived on the home farm and who was therefore her support.

Our mother bore all her losses uncomplainingly, mindful of the words of Job, "The Lord hath given, the Lord hat taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." though on account of increasing age her feet began to get weak, nevertheless her hands were always busy and many a garment was made by her which was sent across to Europe to those who were in need of clothing. Even in her illness she mentioned that she probably did not get things ready soon enough to reach the needy in time of greatest need.

On Sunday, April 13, mother took sick and the attending physician declared her illness "infirmity of old age and debility of heart." Her strength waned rapidly until, on April 22, it pleased the Lord to take her home. Mother is resting now from all her labors and all her longings are stilled.

She attained the age of 84 years, 10 months, 17 days. She left to mourn her departure one daughter, three sons, one son-in-law, four daughters-in-law, 16 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, one brother, and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held April 25. Comforting words were spoken at the home by Br. Waldo Harder, and by Rev. J. C. Kaufman and Rev. H. J. Dyck at the church. Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.

—The Family.