Goerz, Helene Riesen (1851-1928)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1928 Nov 14 p. 1

Birth date: 1851 May 17

text of obituary:

Mrs. David Goerz Passed Away

Messages were received here last Wednesday afternoon, stating that Mrs. D. Goerz had passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 7, at 8:00 o'clock at her home in Upland, Calif., of a sudden heart attack. She was 77 years old.

Mrs. Goerz was much beloved by Newton people who knew her. She was the widow of the late Rev. David Goerz, one of the pioneer commonwealth builders of this community--minister, philanthropist and leader, and one of the honored founders of Bethel college. She was the mother of R. A. Goerz of Newton. Other children who survive are John H. of Philadelphia, Mrs. J. P. Isaac, Freeman, S. D., Mrs. B. P. Krehbiel, Halstead, Robert and Mrs. H. J. Kaufman, Upland, Calif., Orlando and Willard of Los Angeles. Mrs. Goerz has resided in California since 1914.

Funeral services were conducted at the Hollywood cemetery chapel, Hollywood, Calif., Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. R. A. Goerz of this city attended the funeral, although suffering from an attack of influenza. Mrs. Isaac of South Dakota also went to California for the funeral, so that all of the children were present except the son John of Philadelphia, whose wife is seriously ill and he was unable to leave her.

The death of this great woman brings deepest sorrow and regret to hundreds of hearts here where she was known so well. An obituary will appear later.

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Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1928 Dec p. 5

Text of obituary:

AN APPRECIATION

Another pioneer has left the thinning ranks. Mrs. Helene Goerz (n'ee Riesen) was born in South Russia on May 17, 1851. With her husband Rev. David Goerz, and one child, she came to America in 1874. They settled in Summerfield, Ill., but moved to Halstead, Kansas, in 1875. Here she found a great joy in opening her home to the many Russian immigrants who had come to found homes and find a place to worship according to the dictates of conscience.

The Goerz family moved to the Bethel College campus in 1893. Mrs. Goerz was often left alone because of Rev. Goerz's trips in the interest of the college. So it fell to her lot, not only to raise the family, but to manage the household. She was always ready to help her husband in his work for Bethel College. Time and again, when he would come home almost crushed by imminent failure, she gave the words of encouragement necessary to give him new enthusiasm and the support he needed. Rev. Goerz was a great idealist and in his writing he paid tribute to her ability to see through sham and false exteriors.

The Goerz dwelling