Derksen, Jacob F. (1888-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jul 31 p. 8

Birth date: 1888 Oct 18

text of obituary:

JACOB F. DERKSEN

The Lord called home my husband and our father, Jacob F. Derksen, on July 2, 1958. He reached the age of 69 years, eight months and 14 days. He was born on Oct. 18, 1888, to Frank J. and Anna Derksen (nee Tieszen) on a farm seven miles south of Mountain Lake, Minn.

He was married to Toney Rupp on Feb. 12, 1913, by Rev. Henry Voth. They established their home on a farm near Chinook, Mont.

On August 2, 1914, upon confession of faith, he was baptized by Rev. John N. Wall and joined the E. M. B. church.

During their seven years at Chinook, four children were born to them: Albert, Sam, Henry, and Della. After several years of crop failures, they returned to Mt. Lake. Here he remained the rest of his days. In Mt. Lake four more children were born: Edwin, Lando, Hilda, and Gladys. The only child who preceded him in death was Della, who died at the age of three, in 1922.

Soon after returning to Mt. Lake, he became janitor in the public schools where he served for 31 years. In 1941 the Lord saw fit to take home his wife. This vacancy in the family was filled by his marriage to Tena Rempel, who has proven to be a faithful wife and mother. At this time he transferred his church membership to the Bethel Mennonite Church.

About seven years ago his health began to fail, beginning with a light stroke which temporarily blinded one eye. However, he recovered enough to be able to make an extensive trip to the West Coast in 1952. Soon after the trip, due to hardening of the arteries, his health declined noticeably. During the last several years he had numerous strokes. His strength gradually failed. In the last year he could seldom speak loudly enough to be understood.

As a testimony to the grace of the Lord, we rejoice to say that he never complained about his lot. It was evident that he kept the faith to the end. Though he had lost practically all power of speech, he found strength to the end to frequently plead, “Saviour, take me Home.” These remarks and many other experiences assure us that though we mourn, it is not as those without hope.

Mourning his departure are his wife; five sons, Albert, of Mt. Lake, Sam of Rochester, Henry of Meade, Kan., Edwin of Mt. Lake, and Lando of Seattle, Wash.; two daughters, Hilda (Mrs. Masel Anson) of Omaha, Neb., and Gladys (Mrs. George Rahn) of Butterfield; five daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, and 17 grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Henry Hooge of Delft, Mrs. Abe Hooge of Windom, Mrs. Abe Doerksen, and Mrs. Elizabeth Friesen of Salem, Ore.; three brothers, Henry of Dallas, Ore., and John and Abe of Mt. Lake; and many other relatives and friends. — The Jacob F. Derksen Family.