Goossen, Gerhard (1889-1944)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Apr 27 p. 3, 7

Birth date: 1889 May 27

text of obituary:

GERHARD GOOSSEN

Gerhard Goossen, son of John and Margaret Goossen, nee Penner, was born in Gage County, near De Witt, Nebraska, on May 27, 1889. He received his elementary training in district and parochial schools. On June 13, 1908, he was baptized upon his confession of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal savior by Elder Gerhard Penner, and joined with the Mennonite church.

On February 22, 1917, he was joined in holy matrimony to Catharine Thimm. He was engaged in farming until 1933 when the family moved to Beatrice. About three months ago he suffered a light stroke from which he made no permanent recovery. On March 13 he was taken to the Mennonite Hospital for a short period of time where he received a most loving care. He seemed somewhat improved recently, and attended services on Good Friday morning. On April 12, about 10:15 p.m., the Lord quite suddenly called him to his reward. He leaves his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Cornie von Riesen, two sons, Louis and John, one son-in-law, one grandson, two sisters, two brothers, and many relatives and friends. He reached the age of 54 years, 10 months, and 16 days.

"Whate'er my God ordains is right; His holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate'er He doth, and follow where He guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall;
Wherefore to him I leave it all.

"Whate'er my God ordains is right; He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path; I know he will not leave me,
And take, content, what he hat send; His hand can turn my griefs away,
So patiently I wait His day.

"Whate'er my God ordains is right; Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, Yet am I not forsaken;
My Father's care is round me there: He holds me that I shall not fall,
And so to Him I leave it all."

Funeral services for Mr. Goossen were held Sunday, April 16, 1944, from the family home at Beatrice, Nebr.

Rev. Walter H. Dyck, who was in charge, read Psalm 61 and spoke words of comfort and encouragement to members of the family, relatives and friends, basing them on the phrase "Abide With Us" (Luke 24:29).

"Never Alone" and "Abide With me" were sung by a mixed quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs.l John K. Wiebe and Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Wiebe.

Further services were held from the First Mennonite Church. "Shall We Meet?" and "Near to the Heart of God" were sung by the quartet; Rev. Cornelius Penner read 2 Cor. 1:3-10, led in prayer, and spoke on Psalm 80:19. Pall-bearers were Robert Claassen, John K. Wiebe, Theodor Goossen, Alfred Penner, Waldemar Thimm and Randolph Thimm. Interment in the church cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 May 30 p. 3