Gaede, Anna B. Duerksen Harms (1871-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Nov 24 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Sep 21

text of obituary:

WELL KNOWN RESIDENT OF REEDLEY, CALIF. DIED AT AGE 84

Reedley, Calif. — Mrs. Anna B. Gaede, well known resident of this community, died Nov15 after suffering a heart attack two days earlier. She was 84.

Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite Brethren church, Rev. Dan E. Friesen and Rev. B. J. Braun officiating.

Mrs. Gaede was born in South Russia Sept. 21, 1871, and came to Kansas in 1879. She leaves 12 children and 56 grandchildren. A son, Dr. M. S. Gaede, is mayor of Reedley.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Dec 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA B. GAEDE

Anna Duerksen Harms Gaede, a member of the Reedley, Calif. Mennonite Brethren Church, was called to her heavenly home Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 3 p. m. at the age of 84 years, one month, and 25 days. She had been a resident of California since 1937

She was born Sept. 21, 1871, in Alexanderthal, South Russia, and in her early years came with her parents, Jacob J. and Katherina Funk Duerksen, to America, where they settled on a farm near Goessel, Kansas. She experienced the hardships of pioneer days, but with her optimistic and courageous outlook on life, found satisfaction and a certain joy in overcoming difficulties.

When she was 17 years old two important events of her life took place. First, she lost her dear mother, and second she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour, was baptized by Elder Cornelius Wedel, and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church at Goessel, Kansas.

In 1889 she was united in holy wedlock with Cornelius Harms of Lehigh, Kansas, With joyful anticipation they looked into the future, but their pilgrimage together was of short duration, for on May 13, 1892, her husband and father of their five-day-old daughter, Tina Cecilia, was called to be with the Lord. Great was her sorrow, but her strong faith in God sustained her and brought to her new field of work.