Fransen, Peter F. (1865-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Nov 9 p. 4

Birth date: 1865 Oct 30

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the Corn, Okla. M. B. church on Sunday, Oct. 29, for Peter F. Fransen, a pioneer resident of the Corn community. He passed away Oct, 25 at the age of nearly 85.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Jan 11 p. 6

text of obituary:

PETER F. FRANSEN

Peter F. Fransen, son of Heinrich and Sara Fransen, was born October 30, 1865, at Steinfeld, Russia. In 1874, at the age of nine years, he with his parents came to America and they established their home near Buhler, Kansas.

On August 17, 1889, he entered holy matrimony with Anna Warkentine. This happy union was blessed with 14 children, seven sons and seven daughters, also with 42 years, six months and 11 days of special grace from the Lord. When the wife and mother was taken to her heavenly reward on Feb. 28, 1932, he keenly felt the loss of his dear praying companion. Besides his wife, two sons, three daughters, one son-in-law, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren preceded him in death.

The parents experienced the pioneer days of Oklahoma when they settled on a farm northwest of Corn in 1894; many were the trying days. Hard times and the several deaths in the family were truly a cross for him to bear, yet he would never complain or suggest that the cross was too heavy, but was always resigned to the will of the Lord.

After mother’s passing he remained on the farm for 10 years, then with the children for some time, after which he entered the Home for the Aged, which he enjoyed until his last days which he spent in hospitals.

His experience that he had with the Lord on August 7, 1898, when he was through baptism received into the Mennonite Brethren church at Corn by Elder Isaak Harms, has proven to be the anchor and the portion of his life.

He was resigned to the will of the Lord in his last days of suffering. All possible aid and help was sought but all seemed to fail. On October 24, 1950, at 8:45 the Lord took father to his eternal reward, reaching the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 24 days. Although he was quiet and reserved, his fraternal affections were always felt. We thank God for our father who remained faithful to the church and family until his parting. He had a great delight in God's Word and in singing of sacred hymns.

He leaves to mourn his departure five sons. Pete Fransen, Clinton, Henry Fransen, Clinton, John Fransen, Corn, David Fransen, Wichita, Kansas, Isaak Fransen, Clinton: three daughters, Sara Isaak, Butler, Katie DeFehr, Everson, Washington, Susie Schmidt, Bakersfield, Calif., and Elisebeth [sic] Hinz, Liberal, Kansas; five daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 47 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Children.