Becker, Susanna V. Tieszen (1891-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 4 Mar 1954 p. 9

Birth date: 1891

text of obituary:

MRS. TOBIAS B BECKER

Susanna V. Tieszen was born December 24, 1891, at Marion, South Dakota. She grew to womanhood on the farm of her parents.

On May 30, 1908, she was baptized by her father, Rev. Derk P. Tieszen, upon the confession of her faith in her Savior and was taken into the fellowship of the Bethesda Mennonite church. Here she remained a member until her death.

She entered into the bonds of holy matrimony with Tobias B. Becker on September 4, 1913. We shared joys and sorrows for a little more than forty years on our farm at Dolton.

Sorrow came to our home on September 19, 1932, at the passing of our five year old son Ubert. Mother looked very deeply into her own life at this time. The Lord gave her complete assurance of sins forgiven and she yielded herself to Him. Her life always rang true with her testimony. She often told us that during this period the Lord made very plain to her that she would be called "Home" next.

She enjoyed good health most of her life until about two years ago when her left arm and shoulder became very painful and almost entirely useless. One year later we learned that she was suffering from cancer. She submitted willingly to examinations and treatments, always trusting the Lord would heal her if He so willed. In May 1953, she was taken to Dallas, Texas for further medical aid.

Realizing that she was steadily failing in health, she made known to us her wishes regarding her funeral services. The last three months her physical condition weakened considerably and she was in bed most of the time.

The last few weeks the pain increased and she continually became weaker, during which time she very earnestly prayed for deliverance. The Lord graciously answered her prayer at 10:35 p.m. on Sunday November 29, 1953. She reached the age of 61 years, 11 months and four days.

Though our hearts feel deeply the pain of parting, we cannot express in words how much we will miss her, as she was always concerned for the needs of her family. We are yet comforted with the assurance that she has overcome and has entered into her reward evermore to be in the light of the presence of the Son of God and in her eternal home. Our prayers join hers for a reunion before the Throne, where together with her, we shall praise Him who meant so much to her.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband and eleven children, six daughters and five sons, Linda and Luella of Minneapolis, Minn., Mabel (Mrs. Carl Johnson) of St. Paul, Minn. Lucile of Sioux Falls, S. D., Delmer of Freeman, Melvin of Dolton, Clifford, with the U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas, James and Benjamin, both of Dolton, Mayme and Miriam at home; two daughters-in-law, one son- in law an five grand-children.

She also precedes in death four sisters. Anna (Mrs. Anna Becker) of Marion, Eva (Mrs. Oswald Krehbiel) of Hutchinson, Kansas, Agnetha (Mrs. Louis Lincheid) and Amalia (Mrs. John D. Unruh), both of Freeman; and four brothers, Abraham of Freeman, John of Marion, Derk of Albany, New York, Benjamin of Marion; one aunt, Mrs. Jacob Koehn, Marion, besides a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Bethesda Mennonite church four miles west of Marion, S. D. on Thursday, December 3, at 1:30 p.m. Conducting the services were Rev. T. A. Van der Smissen and Rev. Jacob Adrian. Rev. Peter Stahl spoke words of comfort in the home at 12:30. Her favorite hymns were sung: "The Home Over There," "Looking This Way," "Nothing Between," and "Wenn ich am Ufer des Jordan's Steh."

She was laid to rest in the Mennonite cemetery south of Dolton. She chose as casket-bearers her cousins: William Tiezen, Joel Deckert, Edward Deckert, Fred Koehn, Will Ensz and Bernard P. Tieszen.

The following verse found in mother's Bible written in her handwriting characterized her entire life:

"Not always can I see the course
My ship of life must sail,
But since my Father guides the helm
I'll calmly face the gale."

--The Husband and Children