Goertzen, Abe J. (1900-1974)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 May 2 p. 12

Birth date: 1900 Feb 19

text of obituary:

Newton and Vicinity

. . .

• Abe J. Goertzen, 74, died April 22 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge. A native of McPherson County, he had resided in Dodge City for the past 24 years. His widow, Annie, survives. Mrs. Melvin Martens of Hesston is a daughter. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Newton First Missionary Church, with Rev. J. Holston of Dodge City and Rev. Waldo E. Miller of Hesston officiating.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 May 23 p. 11

text of obituary:

ABE J. GOERTZEN

Abe J. Goertzen, son of Abraham and Justina Kroeker Goertzen, was born on Feb. 19, 1900 near Inman, Kan. He died on April 22 at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, Kan., reaching the age of 74.

His boyhood has spent on a farm north of Inman, where he attended Clark School. Later he attended Zoar Academy in Inman and while there enjoyed singing in a male quartet.

His family worshipped at the Zoar Mennonite Church near Inman where he became a Christian on Aug. 7, 1921, and was baptized and received into the Zoar Church by Elder John Esau.

On Sept. 7, 1924 at the Zoar Church he was married to Annie Goertzen of Turpin, Okla. He was a farmer for approximately 25 years. In 1950 they moved to Dodge City, Kan. where he was employed by Hiram T. Burr Inc. for 24 years. While in Dodge City they became members of the First Missionary Church where he served faithfully in various capacities, including singing in the choir, serving as deacon for a number of years, and as trustee.

He enjoyed good health throughout his life and had never been hospitalized until Feb. 28, 1974 when he became ill and entered the Trinity Hospital in Dodge City. Following two surgeries and a stroke, he seemed to recuperate and was dismissed from the hospital. However, soon afterward he was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Moundridge, Kan. where he died.

Survivors include his widow; children Edward and Norma and family of Perris, Calif., Mildred and Melvin Martens and sons of Hesston, Kan., and Vernon and Machelle and family of Bogart, Georgia, and one sister, Justina, Mrs. Henry B. Reimer of Inman, Kan. Two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.