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 was a friendly home and there are people who will never forget the cheerful guest-friendship they enjoyed there during student days. The Board of Directors used to hold its meetings at the home of Rev. Goerz, and Mrs. Goerz, who delighted in her kitchen, would serve dinner. On one occasion she wished to help her husband who was collecting funds for an impending crisis of the school. She saw her opportunity at one of these dinners and passed a subscription paper, on which she actually secured a substantial sum. Although she was kept very busy in the home, Mrs. Goerz still found time for active participation in the work of the missionary society.

In 1910, after her children were grown, she was privileged to enjoy a trip to Europe with Rev. Goerz. Upon their return Rev. Goerz's health began to fail and they moved to California in 1911. This meant the breaking up of the campus home, which was not easy, but through which ordeal Mrs. Goerz still kept cheerful as always. Mrs. Goerz was left alone after her husband's death in 1914. Yet she did not withdraw from active life, but as long as her own health permitted took part in missionary society and church work. She delighted in visits from her children, and particularly enjoyed chats with friends of Bethel College. On two occasions she journeyed east and visited the campus again. She never lost interest in the school, and often spoke of her dreams for the future. She would frequently mention the church which she hoped be built on the hill, north of Goerz Hall. Her abiding love for the school is evidenced by a substantial gift which she made to the endowment fund just a few years ago.

She spent her last years quietly among her fruit trees and flowers and after a short illness passed away at Upland, California on November 7, 1928. She leaves five sons, three daughters, fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to mourn her departure.

Her legacy is to be measured not only by material gifts, although these have been many, but rather by those intangible values which can never be repaid except in grateful remembrance and by loyal devotions to the causes which she loved.

Anonymous.