Becker, Effie Unruh (1874-1948)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1948 Jan 29 p. 3

Birth date: 1874 Mar 21

text of obituary:

MRS. EFFIE UNRUH BECKER

Mrs. Effie (Unruh) Becker, daughter of David and Susie Unruh, was born March 21, 1874, in Russia. Early in life she came to this country with her parents to make her home.

As a young woman she committed her way to the Lord and was baptized by Rev. A. Ratzlaff, at which time she also joined the Emmanuel Mennonite church north of Moundridge, Kansas where she still retained her membership at the time of her death.

She had been in poor health for more than a year but was able to be up and perform her household duties most of the time. She became very ill on January 12 and was removed to the Halstead hospital for care and treatment. Loving hands did all for her which could be done, but the Lord saw fit to call her home at 4:58 a.m., January 15, 1948, age 73 years nine months and 25 days.

She was married to John J. Becker on December 15, 1894. They made their home on a farm six miles north of Halstead for 29 years, until 1924, when they moved to Halstead to share common joys for the remaining 24 years of life. Her death brought to a close 53 years of companionship with her husband.

To this union were born seven children. One son preceded her at the age of three months. Surviving are the sorrowing husband, John J. Becker, and the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Adolph (Edna) Koehn of Orienta, Oklahoma; Mrs. Otto (Hilda) Kruse of Burrton, Kansas; Rudolph of Wichita; Mrs. Arthur (Myrtle) Wolfe of Hawthorne, California; Mrs. Pete (Sadie) Unruh of Newton; and Earl of Beaumont, California. Thirteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one brother, Benjamin Unruh of Meno, Oklahoma, also survive her. Four brothers and three sisters preceded her in death.

Mother always enjoyed company, and especially did she enjoy having her children visit her. Her departure causes us great sorrow, but we realize that to be with the Lord is far better.

Funeral services were conducted from the First Mennonite church of Halstead on Sunday afternoon, January 15, 1948, at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. Loris Habegger and Rev. Orlo Dirks officiating. Mrs. Fred Schowalter Jr., Miss Willa Dean Wilson, Ed Geist and Dan Krehbiel sang "Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy," "Sweet By and By," and "No Disappointment In Heaven." Mrs. Ruth Rose was the organist, and she also played the processional and recessional.

Bearers were Irwin Becker, Roy Unruh, Ben Unruh, Ike Friesen, Ben Koehn and Leslie Jantz. Interment was in the family lot in the Halstead cemetery.