Becker, Jonas B. (1885-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Feb 1953 p. 2

Birth date: 1885

text of obituary:

WELL KNOWN MARION, S. D. FARMER DIED

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Marion, S. D. – Jonas B. Becker, 67, well known and respected farmer here, died Feb. 4 at the farm east of Marion after a three month illness. A large assembly of friends and relatives attended the funeral services, held Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Silver Lake M. B. church.

He was born near here Nov. 28, 1885, and had engaged in farming up until the time of his illness. Survivors include his wife, Helena; two daughters, Verna, missionary in Nigeria, and Mrs. Albert Adrian, whose husband is a minister at Great Bend, Kans.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Mar 1953 p. 10

text of obituary:

JONAS B. BECKER

My dearly beloved husband Jonas B. Becker, was born Nov. 28, 1885, near Marion, S. Dak., a son of Benj. and Susanna Becker. He died Feb. 4, 1953, at 2:30 a.m. in his home on the farm east of Marion.

He has spent the years of his youth in the vicinity of Marion. Here he received his limited education. After marriage, he engaged in farming to the end of his life.

On October 3, 1912, he was united in marriage with Nettie J. Jantzen. From this marriage two daughters were born: Verna and Leona. His first wife died Oct. 9, 1919.

On Sept. 23, 1920, he was united in marriage to Helen J. Becker. We have shared joys and sorrows for 32 years, four and one-half months. He was a very dear husband and his memory will long be cherished.

He accepted the Lord as His personal Savior Sept. 22, 1907. On the same day he was baptized on the confession of his faith by Rev. Henry Dick from Mt. Lake, Minn. and accepted into the Bruderthaler church. In later years, however, he regularly attended the Silver Lake M. B. church where his wife is a member.

He was a great lover of music. Often he played instruments and sang songs at special occasions and at home when we had visitors. Even during the last weeks of illness, he often sang his old beloved songs. He also prayed often that his sickness would daw him closer to the Lord, and that His will might be done in his sickness. Many times he said, “I am in God’s hand,” and thanked God that He had given him an ailment that he was able to bear.

In 1926 he spent nine weeks in Rochester, Minn. hospital, due to intestinal ailments. god spared his life at that time, and made him well. On Nov. 12, 1952, he became ill again. He suffered from hardening of the arteries, then flu and later pleurisy set in.

The last three days he spoke about his soon departure. He ordered every detail for his funeral. He prayed that the Blood of Jesus Christ should cover all his sin, dedicated himself to the Lord and committed his wife and family to the care of the Lord.

On Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, at 2:30 a.m. his soul left this earthly body and went to meet his Saviour and live in the prepared mansion in our heavenly Home.

We deeply mourn his departure, but our comfort is that the Lord will soon come, and we all will meet our Saviour and loved ones, and be united forever.

He reached the age of 67 years, two months and six days. He leaves to mourn his departure his beloved wife, Mrs. Helen Becker, two daughters, Verna, Missionary in Nigeria, Africa, and Leona, Mrs. Albert Adrian; one son-in-law, Rev. Albert Adrian, Great Bend, Kansas; two grandsons, Tyron and Robert Adrian; three brothers, Isaak, Tobias, and Frank Becker of Dalton, S. D.; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Boldt of Marion, and Mrs. Frank Schroeder of Sioux Falls, S. D.; 17 brothers-in-law, 19 sisters-in-law, one aunt, one mother-in-law and many relatives and friends.

Those that preceded him in death were six brothers, Peter, Jacob, John, Andrew, Bernard and Abraham, two sisters, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Williams) and Adina (Mrs. George Fast).

Funeral services were held Feb. 8 at the Silver Lake M. B. church, with a very large attendance. In the home Rev. J. J. Adrian spoke comforting words. A male quartet sang “Heaven Holds All to Me.” In the church Rev. C. Classen from the E.M.B. church opened the service by reading II Tim. 4:6-8 and John 14:1-6. The male quartet sang “Meet Me There”. Rev. M. A. Kroeker read the obituary. At the request of the deceased, Rev. G. S. Warkentin from Hillsboro, Kansas chose for his text Ps. 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

At the request of the deceased eight sisters sang in German, Kleine Palme No. 87. Rev. M. A. Kroeker spoke on Mal. 3:3. Bro. Warkentin served at the graveside and the quartet sang “Going Down the Valley.”