On June 21st (the summer solstice) in 1852, Friedrich Froebel died. Nearly one year previously, at the age of 69 he had married Luise Levin, his most trusted of Kindergarten teachers. Less than a month after his marriage he saw his life’s work outlawed by decree of the German government, who were concerned that Kindergarten was a socialist plot designed to undermine the influence and status quo of the monarchy. This shock to his system at that advanced age slightly weakened his grip on life and his immune system, creating an opening for disease. His last days were documented by his faithful friends/colleagues, and I’ve found it helpful in understanding the man. I briefly aggregate their descriptions here (my apologies for the editing and lack of footnoting):

On the 6th June he was attacked by the illness which proved fatal. In health he had often been stern and exacting. Now he was remarkably gentle and submissive, and gave a welcome to all. He would talk cheerfully with his wife or his doctor, and would smile and thank the children or students who brought him flowers. Sometimes he would direct the arrangement of them, or he would express his enjoyment of the fresh air coming in through the open window, and then speak of his union with God and nature.

He exhorted his friends in Keilhau to live a life unity and harmony, and entrusted his wife to the care. He begged his doctor to endeavour to interest the local government in his work, and especially the Duchess of Rudolstadt.” It is Christian work,” he said. He then asked his students to sing him a lullaby; and the next day (Saturday evening) he bid adieu to a lady friend, who had zealously worked for him in Liebenstein (Frau Pietzsch). He also bade farewell to his faithful friend Middendorff, thanking him again and again for his sympathy.

On the Sunday before his death, a favorite child came to bring him flowers; he greeted her with unbounded delight. Although it was difficult for him to lift his hand, he reached it out to her, and drew the child’s little hand to his lips. The care of his flowers he recommended in these words: “Take care of my flowers and spare my weeds; I have learned much from them.” And in his very last hours he asked again for flowers.

The window must be opened frequently, and he brightened up visibly at the aspect of nature, and often repeated the words,” pure, vigorous nature”; and at another time, “Always hold me dear,” also, ” I am not going away, I shall hover round in the midst of you.” He spoke much about truth to Barop, who had come with the teacher Clemens, saying, among other things, “Remain true to God.”

At about seven o’clock in the evening of the Monday he desired to be propped up in a sitting position, and his eyes opened once more on the face of his friend Middendorff; then closed for ever. All present sank on their knees (his wife, Middendorff, Frau Marquart, and a nurse were present), with the feeling almost as if they had seen a beloved child go to sleep.

“Nature,” said Middendorff, “made her last effort and then was still. The mind went peacefully, lovingly, thankfully back to its source. A life harmonious, pure, and true in all directions was closed. He was himself a representation of his beloved sunset; the light of his being set upon us like the sun; and I felt as if, like the sun, he must return to us.

Even in my sorrow I realised the eternity of life, and that one day death and weeping will be no more. His thoughts had often led him to the light, and now had come the time when he should penetrate into a new day. He who had stood so near to Nature, who had listened for her words, and followed her law in simple trust, now lay on her breast like a loving child.

Surely she would reward his love. He was her faithful son, and she his true mother. And thus she took him to herself.”
With flowers about him he lay as if soothed to rest by the tones of the men’s voices singing the funeral hymn. He was buried on the 24th June, in the picturesque little churchyard of Schweina, about a mile from Marienthal. An immense procession of friends, adults and children followed him to the grave. The funeral oration was pronounced by Pastor Rueckert, who, after alluding to Froebel’s work for women, for children, and for humanity, concluded with the
following words :”Here lies a noble heart, resting from its labours. Froebel’s work was for the good of earliest childhood and latest posterity.

Middendorf writes …

“The garlanded bier was set down in the spacious vestibule, to be strewn with wreaths and flowers by the numerous children. All, even the smallest, tried to show their love and gratitude to him once more.

But not only children came; friends, known and unknown, pressed forward to show their esteem and reverence; the teachers of the country round about, one and all, kindergartners and those he had befriended, came even from a great distance, invited by their own hearts to that solemn day.

The teachers united in a solemn song, in moving tones. Then the train was set in motion towards the churchyard of the village of Schweina.

A heavy shower fell while it was on the way, so that we were obliged to stand under shelter for a long time. Parson Ruckert remarked, ‘Even his last journey is through storm and tempest.’

When the procession was again set in motion, and passed over the bridge of the brook, Ernst Luther, a descendant of the great reformer, whom Froebel and his brother had educated gratuitously in Keilhau, out of regard for his ancestor, said, ‘Thirty-five years ago to-day he here led me by the hand through Schweina.’

To this high aim he now sacrificed all his powers, his property, his time, his repose. And perhaps children of his own were denied him by the decree of the Eternal Wisdom, that he might not be bound and limited by cares for his own, that he might see and love in the poorest human child the child of God.”

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I love flowers, men, children, God! I love everything. ~ Frederich Froebel

No, my last word I take with me into the grave; the time for it has not yet come. ~ Frederich Froebel

If three hundred years after my death my method of education shall be completely established according to its idea, I shall rejoice in heaven. ~ Frederich Froebel