Mary Brockmueller

Our grandparents, Peter and Barbara Strausz Preheim came to the U.S. from Russia with the great immigration of 1874, landing in Yankton, Dakota Territory in August. As it was late in the season, Father rented a farm 12 miles northeast of Yankton. Here their home was established and a daughter, Mary, their third child was born January 21, 1877. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to their homestead in what is now Childstown Township, Turner County, where Mary grew to young womanhood. Her youth, like all those of the early settlers was rugged, with many privations. The many conveniences and pleasures enjoyed by young people today were unknown to them. This helped her develop a character that was steadfast, holding true to her convictions, even to her last days.

She was reared in a Christian home, in the fear of the Lord and faithfully helped her parents with their labors, both outside and in, helping care for the younger members of the family. She also cared for her invalid grandmother for many months. Her schooling was meager, but she gained sufficient knowledge of the three R's to help her much in her life. She read much, particularly about world affairs and could converse fluently on the happenings of the day.

She faithfully attended church services with her parents each Sunday, receiving catechetical instructions and upon her confession of faith was baptized by the elder, Rev. Christian Kaufman on June 5, 1892 was received into the membership of the Salem Zion Church. In young womanhood, she also attended the revivals held by the Evangelical group at the late John Unruh home, and here she received her assurance that she was a new-born child of the Lord, strengthening her faith. Through these meetings she became acquainted with William Brockmueller to whom she was married in her parents' home on October 25, 1899 by the local Evangelical minister, Rev. Rekow. Their home was then established on the groom's farm in Walshtown Township, Yankton County, and she transferred her church membership to the Evangelical church there, remaining a member until after their moving to Turner County in 1913. She later transferred her membership to the Salem Mennonite Church, where she has been a faithful member until her death.

Through hard work and painstaking efforts, this couple achieved a nice home and in this home the fear of the Lord was always stressed. Four children were born to this union, and their mother was always on the alert for their welfare, not only temporally, but also spiritually. All who came into this home received a hearty welcome and were shown great hospitality. Last October they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding in their home with a circle of immediate relatives and friends. This was done quietly due to Mother's declining health. Over three years ago she underwent a very serious operation for hernia and all the doctors despaired of her life. But through much intercessory prayer, she was miraculously restored to her family and was able to enjoy fair health for a time. However some results of her operation remained and complications as anemia, heart trouble, enlarged liver and others developed. She received many blood transfusions but her body grew steadily weaker. When the family was no longer able to give her the necessary nursing care, she was transferred to the Salem Home for the Aged at Freeman on May 7th, so she could be cared for by her youngest sister, Frances Hahnemann, a retired nurse. Here loving hands did all that could be done for her. She suffered much the last few weeks, gradually passing into a coma several days before her death came 7:30 AM, June 15th. She reached the age of 73 years, 4 months and 24 days.

Left to mourn her passing are her bereaved husband, her children: Elias, Ella, Sam and David, three daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, five brothers and two sisters with four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law and her husband's two brothers and two sisters, also a host of other relatives and friends. Thus has passed away a sincere Christian, a faithful wife, loving mother and a true friend, beloved by all who knew her.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 16 2016, 19:39:54 UTC