Zielke, Sara Pauls (1863-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 7 p. 5

Birth date: 1863 Mar 8

text of obituary:

Services At Meade For Kansas Pioneer

Inman, Kans. — Death claimed another of the pioneer Mennonite settlers in Kansas with the passing of Mrs. Sara Zielke, 89, at the home for aged here. Funeral services were held at the Home on July 27 with Rev. C. H. Voth in charge, and at the E.M.B. church near Meade, Rev. P. H. Wiebe and Rev. H. R. Harms officiating.

Born in South Russia on March 8, 1863, Mrs. Zielke came to the U.S. with her parents at the age of 11. Her husband, Abraham Zielke, passed away at Meade in 1925, and she had lived at the Home here since 1947.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Sara Warkentin of Meade and Mrs. Bertha Harder of Omaha, Neb.; five sons, John of Dodge City, Pete of Yakima, Wash., Abe A. of Meade, Dave of Inman, and George of Fowler; two step-daughters, Mrs. Abe Nikkel of Corn, Okla., and Mrs. Susie Huebert of Ingalls; one step-son, Henry of Dalhart, Texas; and 53 grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 14 p. 9

text of obituary:

MRS. SARA ZIELKE

Our mother, Sara Zielke, nee Pauls, was born March 8, 1863, in Franzthal, South Russia, where she also spent her childhood days. In 1874 at the age of eleven she, together with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Pauls, came to America. They settled in McPherson county, Kansas. In her youth she helped her parents to establish a home in a new country.

A brief sketch found in her diary reveals the fact that she had a struggle regarding the assurance of salvation. One day the song, “Keiner wird zu schanden welcher Gottes hart,” became real and precious to her, and she knew that her sins were forgiven. On Nov. 26, 1882, she was baptized by Elder Dietrick Gaeddert, and received as a member into the Hoffnungsau church. On April 5, 1888, she was married to our father, Abraham Zielke. By this marriage she became the mother to three children of our father by a former marriage.

In 1894 our parents moved to Corn, Okla. They experienced many trials and hardships in this pioneer life. From Corn, Okla. they moved to Coldwater, Ks. where they experienced the blessings of the Lord both in the spiritual and material realm. In 1916, they moved to Meade, Ks. Here they joined what is now the E.M.B. church, taking in the blessings that the Lord had for then spiritually as well as socially with the people of this church.

Our father passed away in March 1925. Father and mother shared joys and sorrows for 37 years. This union was blessed with eight children. One son, Jacob Zielke, preceded her in death in 1936, at the age of 44 years.

The death of her husband and son stirred her desire to also go to be with the Lord.

Mother was a widow for 27 years. She lived with her children 23 years. All through her life she was deeply concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children and grandchildren. Her prayers were expressions of sincere petition for the salvation of souls, but especially she included her own children. Among the many songs she loved the following were very dear to her: “Eine Heimat fuer die Christen ist bereit im Himmelreich.” "Jesu Heiland steure du Sicher mich dem Hafen zu,” “Der himmel hengt voll Wolken schwer, Ich seh das blaue Zelt kaum mehr, doch ueber Wolken hell und klar nehm ich ein freundlich Auge wahr.”

In 1948 she was received into the home for the aged at Inman, Ks. where she remained until her death. She took ill about ten days before her departure, and passed away on July 25, 1952, at the age of 89 years, four months, and 17 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure ten children: Mrs. Lena Nikkle, Corn, Okla., Henry Zielke, Dalhart, Tex., Mrs. Susie Huebert, Ingalls, Ks., John Zielke, Dodge City, Ks., Pete Zielke, Yakima, Wash., Abe Zielke, Meade, Ks., Mrs. Sarah Warkentin, Meade, Ks., David Zielke, Inman, Ks., George Zielke, Fowler, Ks., Mrs. Bertha Harder, Omaha, Neb.; four sons-in-law; six daughters-in-law; 51 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren. Eight grandchildren preceded her in death.

We mourn her departure, yet we have the blessed, hope of meeting her at the resurrection of the saints.—The Bereaved Family