Great-Grandma Helena Toews

      Just over a month ago, Oma entered her 100^th year since being born—truly a significant milestone. However, she is not the first person in our lineage to do so. The most recent one to do so before Oma was her paternal grandmother, Helena (Lohrenz) Toews.

      While my siblings and I remember our great-grandmother Helena, we are the last generation to do so. This makes the fact that she wrote down some of her own life history so special—we have a brief account of her life in her own words. Well, kind of! The words she used to describe her life were German, which would not be of much help to most of us. Thankfully, her son-in-law Jacob L. Friesen, husband of her oldest daughter, was thoughtful enough to translate her account into English, enabling us to benefit from it.

      Below is his translation of great-grandma Helena’s summary of her life, as she wrote it on February 3, 1959, and as it was translated on February 16, 1959. A couple of explanations may be helpful as you read this. First, the Jacob and Agatha mentioned are Oma’s parents. Second, the hymn mentioned by great-grandma Helena was written by Luise von Hayn, who lived from 1724-1782. While the song also goes by the title O, mein Jesu! Du bist´s wert, the title Helena gave the song comes from the first line of the hymn’s refrain. The translation of that refrain is as follows:

From the earth tear me away

Make my faith big

May I faithful and true in spirit be

My Jesus, take me, make me wholly Yours!

Life History of Grandmother Toews as Told by Her

      I will try to write down how the Lord has helped and led me.

      I was born on June 19^th, 1868, in South Russia, Molotchna, in the Village of Alexanderthal. As much as I remember I have been seriously sick only once, when I was about 6 or 7 years of age. I had the measles and had to stay in a dark room. My father was away a number of days. He was hauling provisions of food and fodder for the horses of the Army. Where he had to go I do not know, nor do I remember how long he was gone. I recalled this after those who could give more details had all passed on.

      How this was hidden in my memory I do not know, but it is clear to me now that it happened. What they did to me I do not know. I heard them occasionally talking, “Is she still sleeping?” And the answer, “She was awake for a short time, but she is sleeping again.” I have sometimes wished I had died then, but it was not the Lord’s will. I recovered completely from this illness and, except for frequent headaches, I enjoy good health. Praise the Lord!

      I attended school in Russia for 3 years, studying the Russian language the last years. I was able to read some Russian, but have forgotten it entirely.

      In 1878 my parents and family immigrated to America—father, mother and 6 children. We arrived at Mountain Lake, Minnesota, on July 6^th. Mr. and Mrs. Johann Regier met us. Mrs. Regier was my mother’s sister. They took us to their home, which was the home of my grandparents, David Nickel. Two of Mother’s sisters, the Beckers and Kliewers and their families, were there to welcome us also. The house was full.

      We stayed with them till my parents bought a farm 6 miles southeast of Mountain Lake. Here was a sod house, built halfway into the ground. It was alive with bed bugs. After much cleaning we got rid of these unwelcome guests, and we got along for a while. The same fall Father and my brothers built a house with lumber. Although it still was quite small, it was much better than the sod house. They were not able to finish this inside. They constructed a brick oven for heating, cooking and baking.

      We cut the long slough grass, which was as tall as men. This was used to heat the oven during the long winter. That worked out quite well.

      The brothers and sisters all stayed home and worked on the farm. There was no need to look for employment elsewhere before they married and started on their own.

      I was baptized on Pentecost 1888. On October 30, 1888, we had our wedding. We lived that winter with my husband’s folks. In March we moved on our own farm 5 miles northeast of Mountain Lake. There was a barn on the place, and we lived in it during the summer months. We built a house and were able to move in before winter. It was not finished from the inside, but the outside walls were covered with back plaster (double plaster was used for insulation purposes). We built the customary brick oven that kept us nice and warm. So we worked to establish our modest home. Through weakness and failings “Our Heavenly Father has not forsaken us.” We tried to serve Him.

      September 15, 1889, a daughter was born to us. We named her Helena.

      September 13, 1891, Elizabeth was born.

      November 3, 1892, a son was born, Franz. He did not live, and my life hung on a thread. Those were trying times. The Lord did not forsake us and restored my health again. So we were able to go on till 8 children were born to us. All except Franz were healthy and normal. I have much reason to be thankful to God for this grace toward us. I have often failed in my endeavor to bring up my children.

      After Franz came Jacob, and he was followed in succession by Nickolai, Gerhard, Marie and Rudolph. With the in-laws there are now 13 living. There are 22 grandchildren in all, 17 of these are married. And up to date there are a grand total of 51 great-grandchildren.

      I am very thankful to God that they all grew up with the desire to take hold of life everlasting. This also is grace from God, which we have not earned. I pray every day that no one be lost in the world. This I pray for my entire family.

      As the children left the home circle one by one, they were married and established their own homes.

      After we lived on the farm 36 years, we decided to move to town. We built a house and moved to town December 11, 1924. Nickolai and his wife Marie stayed on the farm. After one year Nickolai got sick and they also moved to town. He slowly grew weaker until he became entirely helpless. He was sick 30 years. Those were dark years, and it has often driven us to prayer. Also, for his wife Marie it was a very difficult time. All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord. I must confess that this has brought me closer to God.

      Then Agatha, Jacob’s wife, became sick, until she was quite helpless and still is.

      After we lived in town about 10 years, father became sick with cancer of the bone. He suffered much and was much in pain. He went home to be with the Lord with a full assurance of his salvation. His testimony was: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” Then I was alone and yet not alone. The Lord has never forsaken me. Marie has done much for me.

      The first Christmas after father’s departure, the children were all at home. It began to snow in the afternoon, with high winds. All left for home. Gerhard and Susie stayed overnight. The next morning was bright and sunny but very cold. They also got ready and left for home. Then I was alone in the house. Marie was on duty at the hospital. I took new courage and began to put the house in order. I worked at it all day. When I had finished and changed clothes, Mrs. Pankratz dropped in and brought me a Christmas present. After she left, I lay down on the davenport to rest. It seemed to me there were some of the children in the house. It became so quiet and I felt so queer in the head. I listened and said, “Am I dying?” Nobody answered. I listened for a response. All at once, it shot through my head as if a faucet were opened and a stream of water was forced through. My head felt so light and clean. I hoped it would stay that way. But it did not. I believe it was a blood clot in my head. I just as well could have died then and nobody would have known what had happened. It was not God’s will; He held His protecting hand over me.

      Another time when I was nearly run down by a car I could just as well have been killed, but my time had not come. The Lord gave me my health again. He still had work for me to do. One evening I walked to the high school for some meetings. As I walked home, I crossed the street at the Balzer driveway, thinking it would be safer there. As I stepped from the sidewalk, I saw a car coming very fast around the corner at Heppners. As I was across the street on the right side of the street, I thought I was safe. But I did not hear the car pass, so I looked again and noticed the car had stopped close to my side. They must have lost control of the car. I was so shocked, I stood still, not knowing how long. I reached over with my hand and touched the car. Here again the Lord protected me and saved me from sudden death. To Him be praise, honor and thanks! So, I commit my life, be it short or long, to Him. He will do all things well.

      This last year has not been easy for me. To give up everything at one time, that is, home and family life with Marie. The familiar hymn, Von der Erde Reiß Mich Los, became more meaningful to me.

      When Lena became seriously ill this spring, I asked myself, “Will the cup of trials not get too full?” The Lord has helped to cross this mountain also, so that now I can thank the Lord. He has made all things well. To Him be praise and glory and thanksgiving! He has restored Lena to health again. Marie is happy. He has protected me on my long journey and brought me home safe and healthy. 

I read somewhere, “God keeps no one longer on this earth than till his work is done.” I do not know what task He still has for me. I will follow as He leads. I have one prayer, that He give me faith to the end and a sound mind all of my days. That all my descendants would be saved. God never fails!