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Eitzen, Daniel C. (1868-1955)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 17 Nov 1955 p. 1; 1
Birth date: 1868
text of obituary:
Reedley, Calif. -- Rev. D. C. Eitzen, prominent minister in the Mennonite Brethren Church for many years, died here Saturday, Nov. 12. He was 87.
Funeral services were to be held in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church Thursday, Nov. 17. He had been failing in health for some time previous to his death.
For 16 years he served as pastor of the Reedley Church. Previous to that he served Mennonite Brethren Churches at Fairview, Okla. and Ebenfeld, Kan.
Attending the funeral were Dr. and Mrs. P. C. Hiebert of Hillsboro, Kan., Dr. Hiebert had intimately worked with Rev. Eitzen in many church functions during his ministry of approximately 50 years.
Born in South Russia, Rev. Eitzen was raised in the Ebenfeld community.
1 Dec 1955 p. 8
DANIEL C. EITZEN
Daniel C. Eitzen, son of Daniel and Katherina Eitzen, was born on Nov. 24, 1868, in the village of Wohldemfirst in South Russia. In 1877 he came with his parents to the United States of America and settled on a farm near Hillsboro, Kansas. Here he spent his adolescent years and received his early education in the public schools of Marion County, Kansas.
In the year 1892 he recognized his lost condition without the Lord Jesus Christ. After a great spiritual struggle, he came to rest in Christ Jesus as His personal Savior. In the same year he was baptized by Rev. Dietrich Klassen and united with the Ebenfeld Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship.
On Oct. 26, 1892, our father was united with Elizabeth Wiens in holy matrimony. This union, which lasted for 63 years and 16 days, was blessed with 11 children, six girls and five boys. One son passed away in infancy.
In 1893 our father entered the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma and laid claim to a homestead near the present town of Fairview. The following year, 1894, we moved on to this same place where we made our home. Here at Fairview in 1895, father was elected by the church to serve as a Minister of the Gospel. It was in this same church a few years later that men of God laid holy hands upon our father in the act of ordination. He faithfully sought to carry out that sacred charge of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to his convictions, proclaiming this Gospel for almost 60 years.
In 1907 we moved to Kansas because of our father's health. In 1911, after a brief period at Fairview, Okla., we moved to Orange, Calif. In 1912 our home was established in the vicinity of Reedley, Calif. where father has spent the rest of his days.
In 1917 he was elected as assistant leader of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Reedley, serving together with Rev. P. P. Remple. The following year, the church saw fit to elect him as leader of the church, a position that he held for 16 years.
As a family, we must say that our father sought the spiritual welfare of his family as well as his church. He spent many hours in prayer, many days away from home in the interest of the kingdom of God, and gave of his time and means unselfishly that souls might be saved. As leader of the church, he naturally went though many trials but in all of these, he sought the help of the Lord and served His people with a sacrificial spirit.
After 16 years of service as leader of the church, he resigned this position but remained active in various phases of the church as well as the conference. About a year go he became quite helpless and needed care and attention. We, as a family have sought to stand by him and serve him in these months of illness. Since last December, at least one of his children has been at his bedside every night. He had a great longing to go Home and often mentioned that it seemed so long. He was interested in his church and the work of the same to the very last.
At 9:15 a.m., Nov 12, 1955, his spirit was released from his body and went home to be with the Lord. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, he would have reached the age of 87 years. We mourn at this hour of separation. Yet, we rejoice that he could go home to glory.
Those who mourn his departure are the following: His faithful companion of 63 years, Mrs. Elizabeth Wiens Eitzen; the children, John Eitzen, Agnes, Mrs. Otto Reimer, Peter D. Eitzen, Lydia, Mrs. Henry R. Martens, Mary, Mrs. Alvin Wiens, all of Reedley, Hulda, Mrs. Arnold Berg of Fowler, Calif., Jacob E. Eitzen, missionary in Africa, Sara, Mrs. Klas-Willems of Exeter, Calif., Bill Eitzen, San Jose, Calif., Hannah Eitzen, Reedley; one brother, P. C. Eitzen of Reedley; and one sister, Mrs. P. J. Wiens of Hillsboro, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Besides these there are many friends and relatives who stand by in the hour of sadness.