Dalke, Justina Schmidt (1874-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 31 p. 6

Birth date: 1874 Jan 6

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Justina Dalke, 86, one of the early pioneers of the Goessel community, died at the Bethesda hospital there Tuesday morning. Funeral services were arranged for Thursday afternoon at the Goessel Mennonite church, with Rev. Leo Miller officiating. Mrs. Dalke was born in South Russia in 1874 and was brought to this country by her parents when only six weeks old. Her husband, Jacob Dalke, died in 1933. Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Curt Abrahams of Hillsboro, Mrs. Martin Wedel of Route 2, Newton, and Mrs. Herbert Reimer of Goessel; two sons, Dan of Moundridge and Jake of Wichita; one sister, Mrs. H. R. Schroeder of Ferndale, Wash., one brother, Cornelius Schmidt of Goessel; 28 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 14 p. 8

text of obituary:

JUSTINA SCHMIDT DALKE

Justina Schmidt Dalke, daughter of Jacob S. and Helena Wedel Schmidt, was born Jan. 6, 1874 in South Russia and departed this life March 29, 1960.

At the age of six weeks she came to America with her parents. Pioneer life was interesting but it involved much hard work. Educational opportunities were few, church services were conducted in school houses. To make up for some of these things, the home in which she grew up brought her in close touch with God trough [sic] family worship and a Christian atmosphere throughout the day.

At the age of 16 she was baptized upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church. Later she became a charter member of the Goessel Mennonite church where she remained a faithful member until her death.

On April 21, 1891 she was united in marriage to Jacob Dalke who preceded her in death on April 30, 1933. This union was blessed with nine children, of whom four preceded her in death.

We will remember mother as a devoted Christian. She was more of a “live the Book Christian' than a “talk the Book Chlristian. [sic]” Love for children and grandchilden [sic], concern for her neighbors and relatives, silent prayer, Bible and hymn book reading, hours for quilting for the needy and enjoying good music were more or less routine for her.

She spent the last year and one-half in the home for the aged with short periods in the Bethesda hospital.

She always had a great love for the eternal Home but as she became more and more helpless this longing for Heaven increased. Oft times she would express her desire to go to meet her Savior. Now she was gone where she longed to go. We children will remember her as a wonderful Mother.

She leaves to cherish her memory five children, Anna, Mrs. Curt Abrahams and husband of Hillsboro, Linda, Mrs. Martin Wedel and husband of Route 2, Newton, Dan and wife Sadie of Moundridge, Jake and wife Katherine of Wichita, Dora, Mrs. Herbert Reimer and husband of Goessel; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Alvin (Helena) Dalke of Goessel; one son-in-law, Gerhard Franzen of Route 2, Canton; one sister, Mrs. H. R. (Eva) Schroeder of Ferndale, Wash.; one brother, Cornelius Schmidt of Goessel; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Henry S. Schmidt of the Home for the Aged, Goessel; 28 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren.