Durksen, Sara Pauls (1897-1969)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Feb 20 p. 27

Birth date: 1897 Nov 30

text of obituary:

MRS. SARA DURKSEN

Sara Durksen (nee Pauls) of St. Catharines, ant., went to her eternal rest on December 14, 1969. She had suffered from gradual deteriorat'ion in her physical condition for the past six years alnd during this time period she spent many hours with her husband in heart-searching prayer and dis-cussiion of the wonderful ways God had ,led them in together. As she began to rea,I'ize the seriousness of her oondition, she often concluded her prayer with 1"he sentence, "Blessed Lord , make me fit for the Holy SigM."

She was born November 30, 1897 in Alexanderthat SOUith R-usslia. She was the first chi,ld of David and Sara Pauls. She was named Sara after her mother and inherited from her 1)he ability and joy for singling. When she was 16 years of age she accepted the Lord as her pe-rsonal Savi-our. The Lord blessed her with a happy nature and together with her love for s'ing!ing, she dedicated her life to the serlt'ice of the Lord. On May 25, 1918 she was broughlt together in marriage with David D. Durksen, whosurlfives her.

She brought sacrific'ia,1 love, cheerfulnes's and s'ing1ing to a large family that God g'ave them. She saw as her first duty the service t'O her family. Fervently she prayed for the salvatlion of all her children and grandchildren. In the same manner she was a bless,ing to the feHowship O'f the church to which she balonge'd.

She preceded in dea th a iami'ly of 65 members. She is survived by her husband, David Durksen; five sons, David and Jake, of Winnipeg, John, Fred and Arthur of St, Cactharines; seven daughters, Sarah and Kay, S,t. Catharines, Mrs. Dave (Helen) W all, Virg'il, Mrs . Aron (Mary) Froese, St. Cat'harines, Mrs. Clare (Clara) Schnupp, Dryden, Onto Mrs. John (Vio'la) Eckert, and Mrs. Henry (Agnes) Petkau, both of St. Catharines; four brothers, David, Martin, John and Jacob; and four sisters, Katherin e (Mrs. Paul WaHman), Helen (Mrs, Peter Braun). Mary (Mrs . Jacob Braun) and Anna (Mrs. J.J. Paetka u); and numero us grandcil'i1 ldren and friend.