Gossen, Peter (1878-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 17 p. 10

Birth date: 1878 Dec 25

text of obituary:

PETER GOSSEN

Peter Gossen, son of Johann and Susan Toews Gossen, was born in Hillsboro, Marion County, Kansas, December 25, 1878. He spent the earlier years of his life as a farmer.

On May 3, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Helena Reimer. To this union were born two sons, Harley, who preceded him in death, and Harry, who is residing on the home place near Hillsboro.

In 1911 Mr. and Mrs. Gossen and Harry moved to the Dominion of Canada and remained there for two years. There he engaged in the occupation of carpentry. All the rest of his life was spent in the Hillsboro community, except for one year, 1915, in which he served as a mechanic in Collinsville, Oklahoma. From that time until his health broke in 1935 he farmed on his own farm three miles south and east of Hillsboro.

Mr. Gossen united with the Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren church at the age of 28, having been baptized on May 19, 1907.

Mr. Gossen was a great lover of nature and life on the farm, being thoroughly happy to be busy with the many tasks of the farm and to be alone with his family, of whom he was very fond, including his son's companion and their daughter, Betty.

Since his first serious illness in 1935 he has been required to keep out of large groups of people, consequently keeping himself closely confined to the farm and to his home in Canada, Kansas, to which he had moved with his companion about 12 years ago. One of his more recent happy experiences was that of the celebration of their golden anniversary with a program and open house.

Mr. Gossen was very sick in recent years, being finally admitted to Salem hospital for 10 days prior to his departure, to be with his God and Maker. He departed this life on November 29, 1951 at the age of 72 years, 11 months and four days. Six brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his faithful companion of 51 years; one son Harry, of Hillsboro; two brothers, Cornelius of Turlock, California, and Gerhard of Hillsboro; one sister, Susie, of Hillsboro; one granddaughter, Betty and a host of other relatives and friends.