Willems, Lena Block (1921-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 5 p. 2

Birth date: 1921 Sep 25

text of obituary:

WIFE OF DOCTOR DIES SUDDENLY

Inman, Kan. — Word was received by relatives here of the death of Mrs. Lena Willems, 37, wife of Dr. Menno B. Willems of Neodesha, Kan. who died unexpectedly at the home on Feb. 24. Funeral services were held at Neodosha [sic Neodesha] on Sunday, March 1.

The Willems family formerly resided at Hillsboro where Dr. Willems practiced as an osteopath. Surviving in addition to the husband are two children, Johnny and Judy, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Block of Dallas, Ore., and four brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Mar 19 p. 8, 10

text of obituary:

MRS. LENA M. WILLEMS

Mrs. Lena Marie (Block) Willems, wife of Dr. Menno B. Willems and daughter of Jacob and Helena Heinrichs Block, was born on Sept. 25, 1921, at Lushton, Neb. where she received her elementary education. She graduated from the Henderson, Neb. High School and attended Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas, one year.

She departed from this life unexpectedly as a result of a heart attack on Feb. 24, 1959, at 2:50 a. m. in her home at Neodesha, Kansas. She reached the age of 37 years and five months, less one day.

She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in her youth and received the forgiveness of her sins. On July 27,1941, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith by Rev. H. B. Kliewer and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church at Henderson, Neb.

On Feb. 22, 1942, she was united in holy matrimony to Dr. Menno B. Willems by Rev. David Hooge. To this union were born one son, John Stanley, and one daughter, Judith Ann. She was a devoted, loving wife and mother, taking active interest in the work of her husband. She spared no effort to make her home a truly Christian home. On the day before her departure, she expressed sincere joy over the fact that both of her children were saved.

After their marriage she joined the home church of her husband, the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church at Inman, Kansas. Later when establishing a medical practice at Hillsboro, Kansas, she with her husband joined the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1953 they established their home and practice in Neodesha, Kansas and joined the First Baptist Church where she remained a faithful, active member until her departure.

She had a continual interest in missionary and church work and her aim in life was to serve others. She served as Sunday school superintendent, teacher in Sunday school, daily vacation Bible school, and mid-week Bible classes, and in Girl Scout work. She also was member of the district, state and national auxiliaries of the osteopathic association, serving as an officer of various committees. She had great joy in serving her Lord. She often wrote encouraging letters to missionaries and pursued a consistent prayer life and found much comfort in reading of the Bible.

She leaves to mourn her too early departure her husband, Dr. Menno B. Willems; her son, John Stanley, and daughter, Judith Ann of the home; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Block of Dallas, Oregon; four brothers, Rev. Jack Block of Corn, Okla., John Block of Fairmont, Nebr., Abe Block of Dallas, Oregon, and Dan Block of Salem, Oregon; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends. Her only sister, Mrs. Eva Kasper, a missionary in India, was drowned on the mission field in 1951.

We mourn her early, unexpected departures, yet not as those who have no hope, for we look forward to meeting her in that great resurrection when we shall join with her to be with the Lord forever. “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). — The Bereaved Family.