Katharina R. Wall

From the Zionsboto (Mennonite Brethren Newsletter) - August 30 1907
by J. Schmor
Rosehill, ND

Dear Zionsboto,

Want to give a short report of the passing of Sister Katharina R. Wall who as a nurse was known and loved by many. She has given about eight years of her time and strength to the work which she had come to love. Her work began in a small way. Eight years ago when people in places became ill with small pox, she nursed them. Because she herself had been sick with the same illness at one time, she was always taken where there were patients with small pox. After that she went to Nebraska where she also found opportunity to nurse the sick and from there she went to Goessel, Kansas where she worked in a hospital. Where, if I'm right, she was saved and baptized and accepted as a member of the church. She also worked in a hospital in Gotebo, Oklahoma at one time and finally in Kansas City. From there she came here again where her parents and siblings live. She found much work right away. She spent many nights by the bedsides of the sick while others slept and rested. Last fall there was an epidemic of typhoid fever all over and also in our house. Our oldest son succumbed to the disease. He was 11 years old. Katharina had so much work she could not do it alone anymore, so she had her sister Mary come to help her. In winter Katharina herself came down with typhoid fever. She was very sick for seven weeks, but recovered again. In spring she decided to build a hospital together with her sister Mary, where they wanted to care for the sick. Building began early in spring in the town of Clyde. The people of the town were very helpful to her and did much. They got the material for a cheap price. When one room was finished they brought sick people in right away so she worked almost day and night until she was sick again. Her illness began with rheumatism and finally fever again the last nine days with extreme suffering. She died happy and could comfort herself with these words - When I wake, I will be with him, namely with her Jesus. She reached the age of 27 years, nine months, and three days in the best years of her life.

The funeral was in the church August 25th with many people attending. Many people came from the town of Clyde. The church was full. Two choirs sang inside and an English choir sang outside by the casket. We cannot keep from asking "Why depart from here so early?" The great day will reveal and give the right answer to this question. Blessed are they that die in the LORD. When we look at our presence here, we have to say "Our life is like the width of a hand."

~~Thank you to Lydia Wiebe Reimer and Rosalie Reimer Carter for sharing this~~