Becker, Andrew B. (1872-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Jul 31 p. 3

Birth date: 1872 Sep 15

text of obituary:

Husband and Wife Died Within Week

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MR. & MRS. A. B. BECKER WERE CHARTER

MEMBERS OF VONA, COLO. CHURCH

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Vona, Colo. — This community mourned the death of two of its early residents and charter members of the New Friedensberg church here with the passing of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew B. Becker. Mrs. Becker, who was 66, passed away on June 26, and Mr. Becker, 74, died a little less than a week later, on July 2.

The Beckers had lived at Vona continuously since October, 1907, coming here from Avon, South Dakota. the obituaries follow.

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MRS. KATHARINE BECKER

Mrs. Katharine Becker, nee Schultz, daughter of Abraham and Anna (Unruh) Schultz, was born Sept. 30, 1880 near Avon, South Dakota, and passed from this life on June 26, 1947, reaching the age of 66 years, 8 months and 26 days.

On August 9, 1896 she was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Jesus Christ by Elder Aaron Wall and accepted into the membership of the Bruderthaler Mennonite church at Avon, South Dakota.

On March 9, 1899, she was united in marriage with Andrew Becker by Rev. Henry P. Unruh. to this union were born 11 children, the first child, Susie, having died in infancy.

She and her family lived on a farm at Avon, South Dakota, until they moved to Vona, Colorado in October, 1907.

She joined the New Friedensburg church near Vona, Colorado as soon as it was established, where she remained a faithful member until her death.

She leaves to mourn her departure ten children, Eli of Vona, Lydia Boese of Vona, Jacob of Denver, Mary of Winchester, Ky., Helena of Denver, Justina of Detroit, Mich., Leander of Vona, Wilbert of Vona, Alvina Esarey of Vona and Abe of Vona; 13 grandchildren; seven brothers, six sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Mennonite church near Vona, Monday, June 30 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. John H. Epp and Bro. Richard Tschetter in charge of the services, reading Psalms 23 and Psalms 35:14. A quartet consisting of Robert Harrison, Guy Harrison, Mrs. Leslie Tanner and Mrs. Harold Pickard, accompanied by Mrs. Fred Swartz, sang Mother’s favorite songs, “Going Down the Valley One by One,” “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” Rev. Virgil Horton sang “He Heals Every Heartache.”

The pall bearers were Martin Nelson, Ray Deakin, Dan Tanner, John Mumford, Ned Clark and Carl Harrison. Interment was made in the Mennonite cemetery.

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ANDREW B. BECKER

Andrew B. Becker, son of Benjamin and Suzanna Becker, was born Sept. 15, 1872, in the village of Carlswalde, Poland. He passed away July 2, 1947, only six days after his wife died, and only a little more than a day after her funeral.

On November 10, 1874 his parents and family sailed for the United States. On the way their ship was wrecked three times, so they were delayed for some time, and landed in Philadelphia, Penna., on one of the last days of January, 1875.

After a few months they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where they lived for a very short while. Then they moved to their homestead near Marion, South Dakota, where he grew to manhood. His mother died the year they moved to their homestead. Mr. Becker was only three years old at that time.

He was baptized in June, 1888 by Elder Peter Becker, but he had a deeper conviction in 1895, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour.

On March 9, 1899 he was united in marriage to Katharine Schultz of Avon, South Dakota by Rev. Henry P. Unruh.

He joined the New Friedensburg Mennonite church near Vona as soon as it was established, and remained a faithful member until his death.

He is survived by ten children; five brothers; two sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Mennonite church near Vona, Sunday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. Henry U. Schmidt and Brother Richard Tschetter were in charge of the service. Their messages were based on John 14:1-6, and on Psalm 30:5. A quartet, consisting of Mrs. Leslie Tanner, Mrs. Harold Pickard, Robert Harrison and Guy Harrison, accompanied by Mrs. Fred Swartz, sang Mother’s favorite song “What a Friend we have in Jesus,” Father’s favorite song, “Going Down the Valley One by One,” and the song the children remembered that Father used to sing for them when they were small children sitting on his lap, “In the Sweet By and By.” At the cemetery they sang “Nearer My God to Thee.” Rev. Virgil Horton sang “He Heals Every Heartache.” — the Family