Becker, Mary Koehn (1869-1942)

SMennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Apr 24 p. 7

Birth date: 1869 Jun 23

text of obituary:

Mrs. J. J. Becker

My wife and our Mother, Mary Becker, daughter of Henry B. and Elizabeth Koehn, was born June 23, 1869, in Poland, Russia. At the age of five years she with her parents immigrated to America in 1874, making their home at various places in Kansas and enduring many hardships of the early pioneer life.

On Dec. 3, 1892, she was united in marriage to Jacob J. Becker. Our union was blessed with 8 children, 3 sons and 5 daughters.

We have lived in various places in McPherson and Harvey Counties; moved in 1900 to a farm near Galva, where we lived 14 years, then moving to our farm east of Roxbury, Kans., where we have lived for the past 27 years. She was a kind, loving mother, always busy and caring well for her family.

Mother has always been quite well until about a year ago when her health began to fail. Yet she could be about her household duties to some extent. The last 9 months she has been under the doctor's care.

A week ago she became bedfast. She apparently did nto suffer so much but gradually became weaker and weaker until death releaved [sic] her on April 14, 1942, at 9:15 A. M. at the age of 72 years, 9 months and 21 days. Death was due to heart block or chronic endocarditis. We have shared with her joys and sorrows for 49 years, 4 months and 11 days.

On Saturday afternoon when she and her husband were alone, talking about her hope for eternal life, she said, "I will be with you a few more days and then I am going home.: She was preceded in death by one son and two daughters, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her deeply bereaved husband, 5 children, Lizzie (Mrs. A. J. C. Becker) of Galva; Eva (Mrs. Frank Richert) of Roxbury, Frank Becker of Tampa; Lena (Mrs. John Everhart) of Gypsum and Alfred Becker of Tampa, 19 grand-children, 8 great-grandchildren, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She uttered no supplication,
     Nor bent to kiss the dust,
She reached out trembling fingers
     And she had perfect trust.

She pressed thru the crowd around Him
     A brave undaunted soul.
She touched the hem of His garment
     And faith had made her whole.