Goossen, Peter J. (1878-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Feb 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 Sep 4

text of obituary:

PETER J. GOOSSEN

Peter J. Goossen, our loving and kind husband and father, was the son of Johann and Helena (Peters) Goossen. He was born in South Russia on Sept. 4, 1878.

When he was one year old he came to America with his parents who settled in Nebraska. He grew up on a farm in the Henderson, Neb. community, experiencing the joys and difficulties of the early pioneer days. One of the highlights of his teen age was a trip back to Russia with his parents to visit relatives and friends.

As a young man he turned to Christ and received Him by faith as his personal Savior. On July 14, 1901, he followed the command of Christ and was baptized. For Christian fellowship he was received into the Mennonite Brethren Church.

On Jan. 7, 1909, he joined hands in holy wedlock with Miss Marie Fadenrecht. They were permitted to travel life's highway together for more than 48 years. Many have been the joys but also the heartaches, yet all in all it has been a blessed journey.

This union was blessed with six children, five sons and one daughter. Three sons and one daughter died in infancy.

After their marriage, they settled in Henderson, Neb. and lived there till 1933 when they moved to California. since then they have lived mostly in Reedley. He had been in poor health for more than 10 years. The last five years he was mostly a shut-in, spending a good deal of his time in bed. The last five month she had been bedfast and very ill. The last month he suffered severe pain. His ailment was hardening of the arteries and dropsy. Mother faithfully stood by and served father well in all of his sufferings. As a family we are most grateful to father's brother, our dear uncle Abe, who came a few months ago to help us.

On the Sunday morning, Jan. 13, 1957, he answered the long awaited summons from the Savior and Lord to depart this life of suffering and weakness in order to enjoy being in the presence of Christ, where all is peace and rest and joys forever more. He attained to the age of 78 years, four months, and nine days. We rejoice that he could go to the with Christ because of his severe weakness and pain, even if we will greatly miss his presence and prayers.

Father was ever kind and loving to his family. He was most deeply concerned about the salvation of all his children and grandchildren. The last prayers that he uttered were concerning this. He dearly loved the church and attended the services as long as he could. He greatly valued the visits of the saints and the fellowship of his pastors.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Mrs. Marie Goossen, Reedley, Calif.; two sons, Abe B. Goossen of Reedley, and Benny Goossen of Shafter, Calif.; five grandchildren; two daughters-in-low [sic]; one brother, A. J. Goossen, Henderson, Neb.; and many other relatives and friends. — The Wife and Children.