Becker, Maria Boese (1865-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1961 Jan 5 p. 8

Birth date: 1865 Jan 20

text of obituary:

MARIA BECKER

Maria Becker, daughter of Abraham and Katharina Martens Boese, was born in Ruechenau, a village in South Russia, on Jan. 20, 1865. Later the family lived in Orloff and Kherson, where she went to school.

At the age of four years, she lost her mother, and even though another came to take the place of mother, she always lamented her loss.

Shortly after her second mother also passed away, the father and his motherless children came to America, landing in New York in 1878. They settled near York, Neb., where at the age of 13 she took over the keeping of the house.

She was baptized by Rev. William Ewert and joined the Mennonite church near Henderson, Neb. She has maintained membership in various Mennonite churches throughout her life. Her latest membership was with the Bethel College Mennonite Church.

On Oct. 21, 1881, she was married to Peter J. Becker of the York community. During their life together, they made their home in various states and arrived at Gotebo, Okla., on Aug. 2, 1902. Her husband passed away in December of 1929 at Cordell, Okla.

Since the early 1920's, she has been making her home with her daughter, Honora, in North Newton, Kan., until last winter when she fell and had to spend three and one-half months in the hospital. From there she went to Meadowlark Homestead, where she passed away to be with her Lord, whom she had served so long, on Oct. 13, 1960, at 4:30 in the morning.

Our mother had little education to start with, but she made the best of what she had, and added to it at every opportunity. Not being able to go to school, she tried to learn the English language as soon as possible. When her older children started to school, she learned with them, until she mastered the language to a large extent, so that she could write letters in English. She was very fond of reading.

Her interest in youth and in education helped to keep her young in spirit. Both during her youth and later years, she memorized passages of Scripture and many poems which gave her great comfort when her eyesight failed. Throughout her life, she was occupied in making a good and happy home for her family and in extending hospitality to those who came in.

She leaves her three daughters, Marie Schmidt, Cordell, Okla.; Agatha Wagner, Tulsa, Okla.; and Honora of the home; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Becker of Kansas City, Mo. In addition she leaves one son-on-law; four grandsons, two great-granddaughters, four great grandsons; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Her descendants who have preceded her in death are a grandson Roy Becker; her son, Abe M. Becker; and another grandson, Ernest F. Schmidt. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Dec 6 p. 791