Katharina Stoesz was born May 27, 1893 at Chortitz (Randolph), Manitoba. Her parents were Henry P and Helen Wieler.
She passed away Tuesday, August 1, at 6:45 pm at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach. She reached the age of 96 years, two months and 5 days.
She was baptized in the Chortitzer Church where she stayed a member with a very strong faith.
November 2, 1914 she was married to George S Kehler by the Rev. Johann Schroeder of Ebenfeld.
At age 21 years of age she took very ill of complications from measles and pneumonia. At 40 years of age she went through a number of such hard years health wise that we thought she would be taken from us. In 1942 she had surgery from which she never quite recovered.
In the first years of their marriage the farmed in Shakespeare-Silberfeld area. They moved to Steinbach in the late twenties and started a woodwork shop. But the hard 30’s came and they moved back to a farm in Ebenfeld. In 1943 they retired to Steinbach, building a house on Townline Road. Here her husband got a bad case of the flu which developed into kidney problems. She nursed him at home until his death in November of that year.
Mrs. Stoesz was an active member of the ladies sewing circle for many years, serving as secretary treasurer. She opened her home to nieces and nephews who found employment in Steinbach.
After 12 years of widowhood, she was married to Jacob G Stoesz November 27, 1955, living in her home on Townline Road. They retired to Brookdale Apartments from 1978 to 1986.
Mrs. Stoesz came to live at Rest Haven Nursing Home September 3, 1986. There she was very content and she appreciated all the kind deeds and prayers for her. She remarked one day, “They all think of me and it is worth so much!”
She was predeceased by her first husband George S Kehler November 27, 1943; her second husband Jacob G Stoesz May 28, 1986 and by her step-daughter Susie Stoesz August 24, 1986; also by three sisters Maria, Helen and Ida, and two brothers Henry and Jac.
She leaves to cherish her memory two sisters, Mrs. Annie Kehler of Rest Haven and Betty Peters of Wheatley ON, as well as three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, one step-sister, two step-brothers, and many nieces and nephews.
Taunte Tien was special and will be greatly missed, but we are thankful to the Lord that He has released her from the pain and trials here.
Funeral service was held August 6 at 2:30 pm at the Chortitzer Mennonite Church in Steinbach. Officiating were Rev. C.G. Peters and Rev. Bill Hildebrandt.
Pallbearers were Henry W. Peters, Ron Kehler, Ert Peters, Glen Kehler, Reuben Kehler and Edward Penner.
