Martha Etta (Swartzendruber) STOLTZFUS

STOLTZFUS, PLETCHER, SWARTZENDRUBER, GRABER, WENGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/1/2007 at 12:10:05

Martha Etta Stoltzfus, daughter of Elias and Sarah Swartzendruber, was born near Eagle Grove, Iowa, Feb. 26, 1904; died at her late home in Manson, Iowa, after a brief illness due to pneumonia; aged 28 y. 9 m. 11 d. In 1909 she moved with her parents to Versailles, Mo., where she grew to womanhood. She attended school at Hesston College, graduating with the Academy class of 1923. She developed the talents with which God had endowed her for the greater usefulness which this development made possible for her in the home and in the Church. On Feb. 26, 1927 she was united in holy matrimony to Chris Stoltzfus, Jr. This union was an unusually happy one. It was an inspiration to see the devotion which Martha showed as a wife and mother. This union was blessed with one son (Floyd Eugene) who, with his father, is now left without a mother's love to mourn a distinct loss. While attending school at Hesston College she heard the call of Jesus to yield her life to Him. She answered the call and dedicated her life to God and His service. She lived and passed on in the faith and hope which came to her at conversion.

Besides her deeply bereaved husband and her little son, thirteen months old, she leaves her father and mother, 3 brothers (Henry of Marathon, Ia., Edwin of Manson, Ia., and Ernest of Palmer, Ia.), and 3 sisters (Mrs. Edw. Pletcher and Mrs. Orva Wenger of Manson, Ia., and Mrs. Joseph Graber of Dhamtari, India). She also leaves a host of relatives and friends to whom she had endeared herself by her personal charm and Christian graces. Truly we have all suffered a great loss. The husband has lost a devoted wife and companion, the little son a Christian mother, all of us a real sympathetic friend and helper. We bow our wills to Him who doeth all things well, and who makes no mistakes in His dealings with His children. Her bright Christian testimony in word and life is a comfort to us all in this hour. Funeral services were held Dec. 10 from the late home in Manson, Ia., and from the Mennonite Church in charge of C. L. Graber of Wayland, Ia., assisted by Milo Kauffman of Hesston, Kans., and Ammon Egli of Manson, Ia. Interment in Rose Hill Cemetery near the city.

Gospel Herald
December 22, 1932