Agnetha (Flaming) Jost
My name is Agnetha (Flaming) Jost. My father Johann A. Flaming, his wife Katharina, and four children (Abraham, Johann, Jr., Heinrich, and Marie) came to America in 1874. Another daughter Katharina was the first baby born after the immigrants arrived in Kansas. She possibly was born on the prairie as they traveled from Peabody to their new home Gnadenau. The rough voyage by boat and train and enduring a pregnancy and labor as they traveled to their new home in Kansas took its toll. My Dad was left with 5 children when their mother was taken from them March 29, 1875.
Widow Elizabeth (Balzer) Wohlgemuth also traveled to America with her children (Elizabeth, Wilhelm, Franz, Cornelius, and Johann). It was customary for young girls to receive a chest. Elizabeth brought her treasured trunk along to America. It was painted green and was enforced with iron bands and a gold lock. The front was decorated with two beautiful roses and above them in white paint were the letters L.B. for Liese Balzer.
Soon Widow Wohlgemuth and her children found a home and livelihood and the Johann Flaming family found a mother. They were married May 16, 1875.
On January 16, 1876 I joined this large family.
We lived on a farm in the village of Hoffnungsthal. I went to the Hope Valley School where my father taught, then continued my education while living with Uncle and Aunt Jake Flaming at Gypsum.
My sister Elizabeth Wohlgemuth (Mrs. Jacob Klassen) had a baby girl named Anna E. on Jan. 10, 1894. Elizabeth died on Feb. 21, 1894. It was with great joy that I had the major role of caring for my infant niece while still at home with my parents.
When I was 17, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior and on July 3, 1893 I was baptized by Elder Jacob A. Wiebe and was received into the Gnadenau Krimmer MB Church where I was a faithful member for the rest of my life.
On January 4, 1900 I married a fine young man from the neighborhood, Peter R. Jost. We lived on a farm 2 miles west and 5 miles south of Hillsboro. Our first son Peter was stillborn on Oct 14, 1900. Our daughter Ella and sons Arnold and Edwin were born next. In 1905 we staked out a homestead in western Oklahoma near the town of Hooker. We found a home and became acquainted with the English-speaking ranchers. We helped begin a Mennonite Church while there. Our son John was born there, as well as a son Henry who lived just over a year. Then came daughters Louise and Kathryn. Many days Ed and John would go by horseback to take the cows to graze on Indian land. When they were ready for lunch, they would catch their tame cow and squirt some milk into a bottle to enjoy with a cookie or zweibach I had sent along for them. In the evening, they would bring the cows home to be milked. In 1915 we moved back to Hillsboro and settled in the Flaming house in Hope Valley, making a home for our children and my elderly parents. Youngest daughter, Agnes joined our family. Baby Marvin was stillborn in 1919. Peter and Marvin are buried in this cemetery.
My mother died in 1918, leaving my lonesome father behind.
Peter’s grandfather Johann Regehr was our neighbor just to west. This provided an opportunity for us to buy the Regehr farm. We prepared and furnished a room for my father to move in with us. When Peter brought my father to show him the room he asked my father, “Do you think this will work?” Father answered, “This will work alright as long as I’m near Agnetha.” I had a beautiful relationship with my father.
When Father passed away in 1921, my mother’s trunk was passed down to me.
Peter was ordained to the ministry in the Gnadenau KMB Church in 1921. He took this calling seriously and served the church to the best of his ability for 35 years. He found great joy in his study of the Scriptures, and he tried to live what the Bible taught. He was blessed in visiting the lonely and ill, and bringing them cheer. These were happy times. I stayed busy caring for our family and supporting Peter in his calling. Reading the stories of God’s faithfulness in my Bible was a priority for me.
I had been very ill and in 1927 I had surgery in Larned, KS. The Lord heard our prayers and raised me up again and again.
A thrill for me was spending time with our family. When the grandchildren came, I would have lemon drops hidden in the cupboard and gave them each one. The girls would bring their paper dolls and play for hours in the bedroom. I loved to listen to them playing and would tickle their toes when I went to check on them.
In 1950 we had the joy of observing our Golden Wedding Anniversary. In 1952 my husband and I went with Arnold and his family to California to visit friends and relatives there. When we returned, I was eager to spend some time with my sister Katharina who was in the Home for the Aged in Buhler. On our way home from this visit on the 27th of April we collided with another car near McPherson. I was hospitalized. During the night all of my children arrived at my bedside and I recognized them all and asked about the grandchildren. On Monday the 28th at 6:30 a.m. the Lord called me home. My dear Peter was so heartbroken, but I know he will join me soon.
The treasured trunk that traveled over the ocean, across America by train, and over the prairie was still safe. After my death it was passed on to my youngest son John who then gave it to his daughter Twilla. It is still in my family.
Agnetha’s grandchildren who attend Parkview are Betty Seibel, Caryl Wiebe, and Lowell Jost. Knowing Agnetha’s story reminds them of God’s faithfulness even in the hard times. He was faithful to Agnetha and he will walk beside them faithfully as they trust in his promises.