Esau, Marie Goossen (1868-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 27 May 1954 p. 6

Birth date: 1868 Sep 22

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Marie Esau, 85, long time resident of The Hillsboro community, died Wednesday, May 19, at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Barkman, in Newton. Funeral services were held Monday at the Alexanderfeld Mennonite church near Hillsboro, of which she was a member. Mrs. Esau was born in Russia and emigrated to Manitoba at the age of seven. She was married to John Esau in 1894, and they moved to Hillsboro in 1907 where she had lived until about six weeks ago. Surviving are seven daughters and two sons; one sister, Mrs. George Toevs, and two half brothers, Isaac and Jake Hiebert, all of Hillsboro.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 10 Jun 1954 p. 9

MRS. MARIE ESAU

Mother Marie (Goossen) Esau was born in the village of Lindenau, Russia, on Sept. 22, 1868, and departed this life on May 19, 1954, in the home of her daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Barkman of Newton, Kansas, reaching the age of 85 years, eight months and 15 days.

When she was four years of age, her father passed away. Her mother, being in poor health, was unable to care for all the children, so most of them were brought up under the loving care of others. Marie was reared in the home of Isaac Warkentins.

In 1875, she with others left Russia and came to America, safely arriving at Winnipeg, Manitoba, though the voyage was dangerous because of the many great icebergs they encountered. She grew to womanhood in Manitoba, where she also received her schooling.

At the age of 21 she remembered her creator by yielding her heart and life to the Lord, and upon confession of her faith was baptized by the late Minister Peter Toews at Steinbach, Manitoba, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, remaining a faithful member to the end.

On Dec. 16, 1893, she was united in holy matrimony to John K. Esau. After having mutually shared their joys and sorrows for over sixty years, her companion was taken from her by death. This union was blessed with ten children, two sons and eight daughters. They have lived at different places: Manitoba, Oregon, Kansas, Texas and Missouri. After father died she made her home with her children. She felt thankful to God to have children who gave her such kind and loving care. She was a devoted Christian mother, and it was her utmost desire to live for Him and to be ready when the Master would call.

Mother was in her usual health until about four weeks ago, when she became ill and was taken to the Bethel hospital In Newton. She recovered enough so that she could be taken home again. Though it seemed that she was better, it was soon noticed that He who holds life in his hands was calling her. It was her desire to leave this world and rest. After a few days of suffering, it pleased the Heavenly Father to relieve her. On Wednesday morning, May 19, at 4:30 o’clock, she peacefully fell asleep.

She leaves to mourn her passing two sons, Henry and John of Winton, Calif.; seven daughters, Anna, (Mrs. Nathan Schmidt) Rich Hill, Mo., Mary, (Mrs. Dave Giesbrecht) Peabody, Kansas, Katherine, (Mrs. P. W. Penner), Winton, Calif., Lydia (Mrs. Jake Barkman), Newton, Emilie, Mrs. Esra Barkman), Hillsboro, Esther, (Mrs. Abe. Schmidt) Halstead, and Lena (Mrs. Carl Smith), Halstead; 45 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one sister, two brothers and many other relatives.

Her husband, John K. Esau, one daughter, Adina (Mrs. Abe Penner), two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren preceded her in death.

Memorial services were held in the Alexanderfield [sic Alexanderfeld] Mennonite church near Hillsboro on Monday afternoon, May 24, at 2:00 o’clock with the pastors, Rev. Carl Dirks of Halstead, Rev. Frank Wenger of Hesston and the pastor of the church, Rev. Jona Dyck of Hillsboro as the officiating ministers. A brief service preceded the church service in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Barkman in Newton. The Halstead choir sang two songs in the home, “My Home Over There” and “The Last Farewell.” At the cemetery they sang "Sleep Till That Morning.”

She was laid to rest in the church cemetery near Hillsboro, Kansas with the directors of the Kaufman Funeral Home in charge. Casket bearers were her grandsons.