Goertz, David A. (1861-1943)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1943 Apr 20 p. 14

Birth date: 1861 Feb 10

text of obituary:

David A. Goertz wurde am 10. Februar 1861 in Süd-Rußland geboren und starb am 25. März abends im Alter von 82 J. 1 M. und 15 Tagen. 1874 kam er mit seinen Eltern nach der Goessel, Kansas Gegend und wurde hier von Aelt. Jakob Buller am 4. Dezember 1881 getauft und Glied der Alexanderwohl Gemeinde. Am 3. Mai 1883 heiratete er Helena Goossen von Hillsboro, Kansas, getraut von Pred. Heinrich Richert, seinem frühern Lehrer. Es wurden ihnen 4 Söhne und 6 Töchter geboren. Einige Kinder starben jung, was Schmerz einlöste; besonders schwer war es als später D. H. und A. H. Goertz starben, die ihm in seinen spätern Jahren eine so große Stütze waren. 1903 zog die Familie nach Mountain View, Okla. und als die Ebenezer Gemeinde dort entstand ward er als Diakon gewählt und diente bis sein Augenlicht versagte. Während seiner Krankheit wurde er treu verpflegt von der Gattin und der A. H. Thiessen Familie. Er war dafür sehr dankbar, und entschlief mit dem Bewußtsein, daß sein Erlöser ihn empfangen würde. Es trauern um ihn seine Gattin, 5 Töchter: Frau A. H. Reimer, Newton, Kansas; Frau J. H. Brandt, Globe, Ariz.; Frau F. J. Goossen, Newton, Kansas; Frau G. F. Harms, Whitewater, Kans.; 2 Schwiegertöchter: Frau D. H. Goertz, Newton; und Frau A. H. Goertz, Mountain View, Okla., wie auch 28 Großkinder und 17 Urenkel.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Apr 8 p. 1

text of obituary:

DAVID A. GOERTZ

David A. Goertz, the son of David and Anna (Nachtigal) Goerts, was born February 10, 1861, at their home in South Russia. He came to America with his parents in 1874 and here settled in the Goessel community north of Newton, Kansas.

On December 4, 1881, he was baptized by Elder Jacob Buller and taken into the membership of the Alexanderwohl church. On May 3, 1883, he was joined in marriage with Helena Goossen of Hillsboro, at which Rev. Heinrich Richert, his former school teacher, officiated.

In 1903 he moved to Mountain View, Okla., with his family and later when the Ebenezer Mennonite church was organized there he was ordained as a deacon in the church, in which capacity he served faithfully until his eyesight failed him. He remained a member of this church until his death.

To this union were born four sons and six daughters. Three children passed away in infancy and childhood, while two sons, — David H. and Abraham H. — who faithfully helped their father in his declining years, passed away only a few years ago. A grandson, Albert Goertz, passed away five years ago at the age of 27.

For Grandfather Goertz the infirmities of old age gradually became more and more evident until he became bedfast. He was faithfully cared for by his aged wife and the A. J. Thiessen family who made their home with Grandfather and Grandmother Goertz. Had he lived till May, 1943, he and his wife would have been married 60 years. He passed away March 25, having reached the age of 82 years, one moth and 15 days.

Funeral services were held at the Ebenezer church Sunday afternoon, March 28. They were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Henry Hege, who was assisted by Rev. Noah Unruh and Rev. Leslie Weibe, the latter conducting the committal service at the cemetery. text used by Rev. Hege at the home was Psalms 90, while at the church he spoke on Isaiah 46, 4 and3 Timothy 4, 7-8. At the church a quartet sang Grandfather Goerz's two favority hymns, "Dort ueber jenem Sternenmeer" and "Wer ueberwindet." a special number was sung also by the church choir.

Surviving him are his aged wife, Grandmother Goertz; three daughters: Mrs. A. H. Reimer and Mrs. Frank Goossen, both of Newton; Mrs. J. H. Brandt, Globe, Ariz.; Mrs. C. F. Harms, Whitewater; and Mrs. A. J. Thiessen, Mt. View, Okla.; also two daughters-in-law: Mrs. D. H. and Mrs. A. H. Goertz; and 28 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.