Boese, Abraham H. (1859-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 9 p. 6

Birth date: 1859 Nov 4

text of obituary:

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— Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite church for A. H. Boese, 93, one of the pioneer settlers north of Newton. Rev. Orlin Frey and Rev. P. P. Buller officiated. Mr. Boese passed away in his sleep at the home in Goessel Thursday morning, Oct. 3. Born in Russia, he came to this country as a young man and had lived in the Goessel community ever since. He is survived by two sons, Henry and Jacob A., both of Goessel, and two step-children, Mrs. John Nachtigal of Buhler and Peter Klassen of Goessel. A daughter, Marie Boese, was killed in an auto accident in New Mexico in 1941.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 16 p. 9

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM H. BOESE

Abraham Henry Boese, son of Henry and Aganetha (Epp) Boese, was born on November 4, 1859, in the village of Blumenort, South Russia. Here he also received his education in the village school.

In June 1879, at the age of 20, he emigrated with his parents, brothers, and all but one sister to the United States of America, settling in Marion county, Kansas, where he shared the manifold burdens of the pioneer period.

On August 15, 1880, he was baptized into the Mennonite faith by the Elder Jacob Buller and accepted as a member of the Alexanderwohl church. He transferred his membership to the Goessel Mennonite church when it was organized, and did his part in the church and shared in its blessings.

December 18, 1892, he was united in marriage to Maria Richert Klassen. This union was blessed with two sons and one daughter. They established a home on a farm near Goessel where they resided for 29 years.

In 1913, father made a journey abroad to South Russia for a reunion with a sister Katherina and her husband, Jacob Epp, and other relatives and friends. The visit to his childhood home was greatly enjoyed and was held in high esteem.

In 1922, our parents retired from active farm life and re-established a home in Goessel. Here they shared the blessings of their declining years.

After the passing of mother in 1937 and of a daughter in 1940, father became very lonesome at times. He was a generous host and a good provider. The grandchildren were a source of joy and inspiration to him. He loved to have them in his home.

After the passing of his daughter, Marie, Katie Schmidt assumed the responsibility as housekeeper and cared for father until about a year ago. In the fall of 1951, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Klassen took up residence with him and cared for him until his passing.

On October 1, at 9:00 a. m., quietly while asleep, father through transition passed from physical embodiment. He attained the age of 92 years, 10 months, and 26 days. He was the last to survive of a family of eleven.

Preceding him into the New Kingdom were mother and one daughter Marie; two half brothers, John Boese and Henry Boese; brothers, Martin Boese, Peter Boese and Jacob Boese; one half sister, Mrs. Katherina Boese Epp, and sisters Mrs. Aganetha Boese Reimer and Mrs. Maria Boese Ediger.

He leaves to mourn his departure one step son, Peter E. Klassen; one step daughter, Mrs. Helen Klassen Nachtigal; sons, Henry T. Boese and Jacob A. Boese; one son-in-law, John Nachtigal, and one daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. A. Boese; five grandchildren, Richard J. Nachtigal, Mrs. Verda Boese Wedel, Mrs. Erlene Boese Unruh, Mrs. Esther Boese Schmidt and Meribeth June Boese; five great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the funeral home in Goessel and at the Goessel Mennonite church on Sunday Oct. 5, in charge of Rev. Orlin F. Frey assisted by Rev. P. P. Buller.