Mentzer Family Files
The Mentzer family history comes alive through treasured documents that provide a glimpse into their lives and legacy. One such document is the heartfelt obituary of Anna May Wells Mentzer, a devoted wife, mother, and community member, whose story reflects the pioneer spirit and resilience of early settlers in Woodson County, Kansas. This post explores her life and contributions, as well as other insights from the Mentzer family files, preserving the memory of a remarkable woman and her enduring impact.
DIED
Mentzer
Anna May Wells, eldest daughter of Thurston and Salome Crandall-Wells, was born June 12, 1868, at Pleasant Hill, Iowa, where she lived until three years of age, when she came to Woodson County, Kansas, to the old homestead in the Pleasant View community, where she attended the rural school of her day, and grew to young womanhood.
During her young girlhood, she was converted at the meetings held in the old rural schoolhouse, later joining the Christian church at Yates Center, of which she has been a faithful member during her entire life. The last time she was able to leave home was to attend the pre-Easter service at the church. At the age of 16 years, she entered the teaching profession and was one of Woodson County’s best teachers for several years.
While a young girl, her parents retired to Yates Center, where a short time later both of her parents died within a few months, leaving her and her sister alone.
On March 27, 1895, she was united in marriage to J. F. Mentzer, the ceremony being read by the late Elder G. H. Lamb. They went immediately to the home where she has lived during forty-three years of married life, and in this home were born her eight children. About two years ago she was left in poor health after a severe illness and has been a patient sufferer in all her sickness. About two weeks ago she was taken seriously ill, and passed away Saturday morning, May 7, 1938, at the age of almost 70 years.
She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, J. F. Mentzer, her sons, Fred Mentzer of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Harley Mentzer of Yates Center, Kansas; her six daughters, Mrs. Hazel Harold and Mrs. Cecile Beine of Yates Center; Miss Pearl …
Mentzer, Mrs. Marjorie Weide, Mrs. Mildred Van Valkenburg of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Mrs. Aleta Tolle of Enid, Okla., and her fifteen grandchildren; also her brother, Wm. H. Wells of Milton, Iowa, and her sister, Mrs. Nettie Mentzer of Neosho, many nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.
Her father and mother, brother Frank Wells and Freddy and sister Mary Wells preceded her in death.
She came to Woodson County, Kansas in the pioneer days of the ’70’s. She has seen the plains blossom, from barren treeless prairie to the homes of today, she has witnessed the building of Yates Center and the development of our schools and churches in which she ever took a vital interest—giving her children education possible in grade and high school, and helping the community in which she lived by always helping the Sunday School and church.
Since coming to our community, living in our midst for over forty-three years she has made a place for herself which never can be filled.
As a neighbor and friend she had the true pioneer spirit of bringing messages of kindness, helpfulness and cheer to all those with whom she came in contact.
There never was a night too dark, or a day too cold for her to go to befriend anyone in time of need.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, at 2:30 from the Christian church, with Rev. R. C. Harding officiating. Burial was in Yates Center cemetery.