Becker, Eva B. (1871-1945)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1945 Jul 12 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Apr 3

text of obituary:

MRS. EVA B. BECKER

Mother, Mrs. Eva B. Becker was born April 3, 1871, in the village of Antinofka, Poland, Russia and died suddenly at 8:30 P.M., June 2, 1945 at her home; southeast of Halstead, Kansas. She reached the age of seventy four years, two months and twenty six days.

In her youth, she with her parents emigrated to America and made their home in McPherson County, Kansas.

On February 24, 1893, she was united in marriage to Peter B. Becker of Parker, South Dakota, where they lived until 1920; when they moved to a farm which they had purchased near Halstead.

To this union were born two sons and one daughter. But in her marriage, she adopted seven little children. These children, which she adopted with love in her heart for them and a promise to God, that they would receive the kindness and care any mother’s heart could offer. The love and promise made was kept in the end, never tiring spiritually in her generous duties. Stepping into a home of a large and motherless family, her duties fell heavily upon her immediately. But with her good and willing spirit, energy and hard work she carried on; ringing about a happy and united condition that combined all the children and parents into one union. She was a kind and loving mother and had many friends.

In March, 1893, Mother was converted and accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour and upon the confession of her faith was baptized and added to the Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) of which she was a faithful sister to the end.

She had been in fair health, ever being about her duties, until Friday evening, while finishing her evening chores at the wash house, she had a heart attack and passed to her reward, in a few minutes.

She leaves to mourn her departure six sons–Fred of Galva; Ben of Portland, Oregon; Peter, Levi Herman and Elias, all of Halstead; one daughter Elizabeth; 23 grandchildren and eight great grand-children; three brothers and two sisters.

Father, two sons and one daughter preceded her in death.

We mourn not as those that have no hope, for mother said a few days before she died that her time on earth was short and her great desires [sic] was to live for him who died for her.

How many were the silent prayers
My Mother offered up for me;
How many were the bitter cares,
She felt when none but God could see.

Well, she is gone, and now in heaven
She sings his praise, who died for her.
And in her hand, a harp is given.
And she’s a heavenly worshipper.

And let me choose the path she chose.
And her, I soon again may see;
Beyond this world of sin and woes
With Jesus in Eternity.

Funeral services for Mrs. Becker were conducted from the Grace Mennonite Church, west of Halstead on Tuesday morning, July 3, 1945 at 10 o’clock with Rev. Carl Dirks in charge. He was assisted by Rev. J. P. Unruh who gave his sermon in German and Rev. Paul Becker, who also led in a prayer service in the home at 9:30. The church choir sang some of Mother Becker’s favorite hymns. Pall bearers were: J. H. Becker, J. B. Becker, John Buller, J. J. Unruh; Dan Buller and John Jonsons. Her body was laid to rest n the Halstead Cemetery under the direction of Kaufman and Dreese.