Catherine "Katie" Zimmer

BIRKY - Catherine, daughter of the late Jacob and Catherine Zimmer, was born in Zurich, Canada, Oct. 11, 1855; died at the home of her son, in, law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Nitzche near Bancroft, Nebr. Nov. 27, 1941; aged 86 y. 1 m. 16 d. March 7, 1875, she was united in marriage to Joseph H. Birky at Delavan, Ill., who preceded her in death Sept. 25, 1927. To this union 10 children were born as follows: Daniel of Beemer, Nebr.; Amos of Thurman, Colo.; Katie Stieder, Conneautville, Pa.; Lizzie P Oswald, Bruning, Nebr.; Joseph and Simon of Beemer, Nebr.; Jacob of Clarence Center, N. Y.; Sarah Eichelberger, West Point, Nebr.; Emma Nitzche, Bancroft, Nebr.; and Alma Wittrig, Beemer, Nebr. She is also survived by 1 foster sister (Mary Detwiler of p Shickley, Nebr.), 44 grandchildren, and 49 great, grandchildren. She was the last of her family. Early in life she united with the Mennonite Church and was a faithful member until death, always having a desire to worship with the believers when she was able. Mother's great concern was the salvation of her family. She lived to see all her children, and many of her grandchildren, in the fold of Christ. Although she suffered much the past two years from the loss of her eyesight and also in a fall, breaking her hip, yet through it all she manifested great patience and was fully resigned to the will of God whom she loved and served to the end. Funeral services were held at the home and at the Mennonite Church conducted by Bro. P. O. Oswald of the home congregation and Bro. P. R. Kennel of Shickley,Nebr. Interment was made in the Beemer Cemetery.

The Gospel Herald - Volume XXXIV, Number 40 - pages 854,855 - 1 Jan 1942