Wife died. Farm, 6 children, cows, garden. Who cooks, washes, sews, raises them? The man can't (wasn't taught). Mother comes for a month — but has her own family.
Solution
New wife. In 6-12 months (mourning period). Not impatience — necessity. Children hungry. Shirts dirty. Farm doesn't wait.
How They Find
Community suggests. Widow from neighboring community. Unmarried 'maedel' (30+, waited for her chance). Sometimes — deceased wife's sister (knows the family, knows the children). Love? May come. Or not. But respect, care, and necessity — definitely there.
Widows
Husband died — harder. Farm run by eldest son (if exists, if adult). If not — community helps. New husband — less common (more widows than widowers). Dawdy Haus — option (move to married daughter's).