Becker, Elizabeth Unruh (1870-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Mar 12 p. 9

Birth date: 1870 Apr 30

text of obituary:

MRS. JACOB B. BECKER

Our beloved mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Unruh Becker, was born April 30, 1870, and passed away on February 9, 1953, at 5:00 p.m. at the age of 82 years, nine months, and nine days.

In 1870 at the age of four she migrated to America with her parents, the Rev. Peter Unruhs, who settled on a farm at Dolton, S.D. near Silver Lake. Here she tasted of the hardships of poineer [sic] life and received a limited education.

In 1888 she was united in marriage to Jacob B. Becker who preceded her in death by four and one-half years. It was her privilege to share the joys and sorrows of marriage for 59 years and eight months. To this union were born 14 children. One son died in infancy, one daughter Mary at the age of 20, and one son-in-law, Peter Schroeder, at the age of 62.

Surviving are her sons: David, Joseph, Rueben and Jake of Marion, S. D., Anton of Omaha, Nebr., Sam of Grand Island, Nebr., and Aaron of Mountain Lake, Minn. Surviving daughters are: Mrs. Susie Schroeder of mt. Lake, Minn.; Evan, Mrs. John Schroeder of Floodwood, Minn.; Helen, Mrs. Joe Thomas of Marion; Alvina, Mrs. Peter Nickel of Auke Bay, Alaska; and Martha of Guayaquil, Ecuador, S.A.

In 1893 she received the assurance of her salvation by trusting in Christ as her personal Saviour. together with her husband she joined the E.M.B. church near Marion, S.D. of which she was one of the two remaining charter members. Her love for Christ was evident, and was especially seen in her willingness to entertain ministers, missionaries, and Christian workers for the Lord’s sake.

She will also be remembered as a faithful praying mother. The Lord rewarded her and gave her the privilege to rejoice in the act that all her children were saved in their youth, and in different ways made themselves useful for the Lord. Two children and two grandchildren are serving the Lord in foreign countries as missionaries, several others are in full time Christian work in the homeland, and others are in training for definite Christian service.

Mother enjoyed good health and even in her declining years cared for herself and attended church services. Her failure of health was caused by weakening of the heart which resulted in difficulty of breathing and brought other complications resulting in her death. Repeatedly she expressed intense desire to leave this world and encouraged others to join with he in praying that her homegoing might be soon. She was tired of the things and affairs of this world, and we rejoice to know that she is now resting from her labors and that her longings are fulfilled. In Christ we have the blessed hope of meeting her in Glory.

Funeral services were held at the E.M.B. church Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Rev. Martin Kroeker, speaking in German, based his message on John 17:10-26, and Rev. C. Classen speaking in English spoke on 2 Cor. 4:16-5:10. Music was furnished by a men’s quartet.

– The Jacob B. Becker Family.