Gospel Herald, October 1, 1931 - Vol. XXIII, No.27 - page 591

Gerig, Magdalena Goldsmith, youngest daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Goldsmith was born Jan. 22, 1847, at Westpoint, Lee Co., Iowa; died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Sutter of Wayland, Iowa; Sept. 8, 1931. She attained the ripe old age of 84 y. 7 m. 16 d. She was a member of a family of 12 children. 5 sisters and 6 brothers, all of whom have preceded her in death. In 1857 at the age of ten she with her parents moved to Henry Co., Iowa. She attended and united with the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church in her youth of which church her father was founder and bishop. She remained a member in this church for almost 70 years, always retaining a deep interest for the work of the Church in her heart and served as a faithful member. On Sept. 11, 1864, she was united in marriage to Sebatian Gerig who preceded her in death 7 years ago and who had served the Sugar Creek Congregation as minister and bishop from 1869 to 1924. To this union were born 3 sons and 9 daughters; Joseph of Wayland; Samuel, deceased; Jacob; Mrs. C. M. Roth, both of Wayland; Mrs. Jacob Eigsti of Morton, Ill.; Helena, deceased; Mrs. Anna Wyse; Mrs. D. W. Orendorff; Mrs. Amos Wyse, deceased; Mrs. Eva Leichty; Mrs. A. D. Blosser; and Mrs. Minnie Sutter all of Wayland, Iowa. As a loving wife and mother she devoted an entire life to her family-a life characterized by prayer and Christian service which aided her husband in the ministry and which gave her an opportunity to see her entire family united with the church of her faith. All her children are still of the same faith which she confessed in her youth. Her husband Bishop Sebastian Gerig, officiated at the marriage of all ten of their children. She was grandmother to thirty-one grandchildren, thirty living and one deceased; and great-grandmother to 16 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed a life of comparatively good general health with the exception of a period of ten years during which she was confined to a wheel chair due to rheumatism. In the latter years of her life she recovered sufficiently to walk unaided. Her eyesight also began to fail three years prior to her death and she was almost totally blind at the close of her life. During her final illness of 5 months she was confined to her bed in an almost helpless condition. During this time she always enjoyed company. Her mind remained active and keen. She was a patient sufferer in her last days and was very grateful for all the kind acts extended to her by those at her bedside. Her passing marks the close of a successful Christian life as sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Funeral services in charge of Bros. Simon Gingerich and Perry Blosser of South English, Ia. Text, Luke 2:36-38.

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