Goossen, Henry W. (1916-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Jan 4 p. 9

Birth date: 1916 Aug 11

text of obituary:

HENRY W. GOOSSEN

Henry W. Goossen, 93, of North Newton, Kan., died Dec. 26, 2009. He was born Aug. 11, 1916, to Andrew P. and Helen (Penner) Goossen on a farm near DeWitt, Neb.

He spent his formative years near DeWitt and graduated from Beatrice (Neb.) High School. He worked for his uncle before going on to graduate from Bethel College in North Newton and Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Chicago.

He married Edna Marie Ensz on Aug. 19, 1943.

He was a Mennonite pastor in Burns, Hanston, McPherson, Hillsboro, Goessel and Halstead. He and Edna spent 1966 to 1968 serving in South Korea with Mennonite Central Committee. In 1983, after his retirement from the ministry, he joined his son for 12 years in Goossen Construction Inc. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, reading and playing Rook.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Edna; two daughters, Sharon Bartel and her husband, Bob, of McPherson, and LaVonne Sawatzky and her husband, Ron, of Elkhart, Ind.; a son, Duane Goossen and his wife, Rachel Waltner Goossen, of Topeka; a brother, William Goossen and his wife, Marilyn; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Gertrude Wiebe; and a brother, Theodor Goossen.

Memorial services were held at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. Burial was in the Halstead Cemetery.