Busenitz, Frank (1877-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Sep 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1877 Jan 21

text of obituary:

FRANK BUSENITZ

Our father, Frank Busenitz, was born near Danzig, Germany on Jan. 21, 1877, and departed this life on July 2, 1955, reaching the age of 78 years, five months and 10 days.

His parents were Johann Edward Busenitz and Catherine nee Dyck. His father died in 1908 and his mother in 1930.

After completing his elementary education he attended a Christian boarding school for boys at Gnadenfrei, Silicia, Germany. This school was conducted by the Moravian Brethren. After finishing the six year course offered by this school, his parents with their seven children migrated to this country in the year 1893.

In the same year, at the age of sixteen, he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by the elder Jacob Toews, and received into the First Mennonite church of Newton, Kan. Later he transferred his membership to the Emmaus Mennonite church where he remained a faithful member until his death.

On Dec. 12, 1901 he was united in marriage to Margarethe Wiebe. [text missing in original, one line duplicated] children, three daughters and four sons. They established their home three miles northeast of Whitewater where it was their privilege to share their joys and sorrows for nearly 54 years.

God has blessed us through father’s life many ways. When they established their home, they also established the family altar. Morning and evening devotions were regularly held. Through his firm and yet considerate instruction father won our confidence and respect as well as our love. He had a deep concern for our spiritual welfare. With but a few words or remarks he could direct our thinking so that our decisions were often a direct result of his counseling.

Father was a faithful steward in the things which God entrusted to him. His working hours as well as his leisure time were well involved. He had but few demands for himself. His delight was in the things that are invisible and eternal.

Today his hopes are fulfilled and his joy is complete. He is in the presence of his Lord Saviour who bought him and washed him in his blood. Joys unspeakable are his.

He leaves to mourn his devoted wife; his children, Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Busenitz, Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Entz, Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Busenitz, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard H. Busenitz, Mr. and Mrs. Gus W. Entz, Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Entz, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Busenitz; two brothers, William Busenitz and Gerhard F. Busenitz; 31 grandchildren and many relatives and friends.