Doerksen, Katherina Harder (1865-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Nov 3 p. 6

Birth date: 1865 Feb 17

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Katherina Doerksen, born in 1865 at Lichtfeld, Russia, died on Thursday, Oct. 27, in the Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, at the age of 95. She came to the U. S. with her parents when she was nine, living in Inman and Meade most of her life. She was married to Martin T. Doerksen, who died in 1935. Funeral services were held Monday morning at the E. M. B. church in Meade. She is survived by one daughter, brother, a sister and 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Nov 17 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. MARTIN T. DOERKSEN

Mrs. Katherina (Harder) Doerksen was born to Johann and Anna (Wiens) Harder in Litchfeld, South Russia, Feb. 17, 1865. She migrated with her parents, four brothers and four sisters to North America in 1874. The first winter they spent in Gnadenau, near Hillsboro, Kan. after which they moved to McPherson County and started their new home southeast of Inman, Kan.

She was reared in a Christian home and thus at an early age realized her lost condition and accepted Christ as her personal Savior. Upon confession of her faith she was baptized by Elder Heinrich Toews and received into the Bethel Mennonite church.

On Feb. 17, 1885, she was united in marriage to Martin T. Doerksen. To this union two daughters were born of which one died in infancy.

In February, 1907 they started a settlement 18 miles south of Meade, Kan. Through hardship and hard labor they established their new home. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1935 and three months later the Lord called him home.

On Nov. 16, 1957, she entered the Home for the Aged at Inman, Kan. Sept. 25, 1960 she fell and injured her right arm, after which she was taken to Mercy Hospital in Moundridge, Kan. for treatment, but was released after two days. She became ill with pneumonia and had to return to the hospital on Oct. 8. Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m., she peacefully and quietly entered her Heavenly home. She reached the age of 95 years, eight months and ten days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her only daughter, Anna, Mrs. J. S. Friesen; ten grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, [sic 27 great-grandchildren,] 16 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Jacob J. Harder and wife of Goessel; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Franz of Dallas, Ore., and many friends and relatives. She has 72 descendants.