Busenitz, Justine Wiebe (1884-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Apr 22 p. 5

Birth date: 1884 Nov 21

text of obituary:

. . .

• Funeral services for Mrs. Justine Busenitz, 80, widow of John Busenitz, were held Saturday afternoon at the Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater, Rev. L. R. Amstutz, the pastor, officiated. Mrs. Busenitz died April 14 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Alfred Wiebe of rural Burns. She had lived in the Emmaus Church community since coming to the United States from Russia in 1893. The large family of survivors includes four daughters, seven sons, 63 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, five sisters and three brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 May 27 p. 11

text of obituary:

JUSTINE BUSENITZ

Justine Wiebe Busenitz, daughter of John and Justine Epp Wiebe, was born Nov. 21, 1884 in Hohendorf, Russia, and departed to be with her Lord on April 14, 1965, reaching the age of 80 years, five months, and 24 days.

In 1893 at the age of eight she emigrated to America with her parents, two brothers, and three sisters. They settled on a farm two miles south of Brainard [sic Brainerd], Kan., where she spent her youth and received her formal education. The seriousness of life and death was made real to her in the passing of one sister and two brothers who died in infancy. Due to the hardships of pioneer days, she started to work in a private home in Newton at the age of 16.

Upon confession of her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior she was baptized at the age of 16 by Rev. Edward Classen and joined the Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater. She remained a faithful member there until her death, teaching Sunday school for many years, which was a challenge and great blessing to her.

In 1903 she was joined in marriage to John A. Busenitz and they settled on a farm near Elbing, Kan. where they shared life's joys and sorrows with eleven children, all of them still living. She was very efficient in her housekeeping, and always had time for the spiritual nurture of her children. In 1928 our parents were privileged to celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

After father's death she continued to keep busy doing handwork and sewing for her children and grandchildren, as well as articles for relief. The grandchildren always were near to her and she spent much time in intercesation [sic] for them. She also spent much time reading her Bible and hymn book, committing many portions to memory which were a great comfort to her in her last months of illness when she was too weak to read.

Mother was blessed with good health and was able to do her own housekeeping until last December when she entered the hospital with congestive heart failure. Howevr, she regained her strength and was able to leave the hospital again. The last months were spent in the home of her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wiebe, where she had loving and tender care until the Lord called her home.

Those who remain to cherish her memory include four daughters, Justine, Mrs. B. R. Regier, Margaret, Mrs. Henry Thiessen, Hedwig, Mrs. Alfred Wiebe, Elizabeth, Mrs. Oliver Unruh; seven sons, John, Herman, Willie, Albert, Edgar, Bernhard and Arthur; four sons-in-law, seven daughters-in-law, 62 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, five sisters, three brothers and one aunt. — The Family.