Boeckner, Florence Holdeman (1907-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Sep 12 p. 3

Birth date: 1907 Apr 11

text of obituary:

FLORENCE BOECKNER

Florence Holdeman Boeckner was born Aprill [sic] 11, 1907, near Hesston, Kansas, and departed this life August 20, 1946, at the Mercy hospntal [sic], Moundridge, at the age of 39 years, four months and nine days.

She grew to womanhood in the Hesston community where she also received her schooling. In her youth she remembered her Creator by yielding her heart and life to the Lord, and on her 15th birthday upon confession of her faith was baptized, becoming a member of the Church of god in Christ Mennonite, remaining faithful and growing in grace and favor to her end.

March 6, 1927, she was united in holy matrimony to Dan O. Boeckner of near Moundridge, mutually sharing joys and sorrows for over 19 years. To this union were born two sons and one daughter. A baby girl born one-half hour before the mother's death did not live.

Mrs. Boeckner's passing came as a great and sudden shock. Her maternal condition, from diagnosis and every indication, was considered to be very well. She felt fine until 6:10 p. m. the evening of her death, when she suddenly began to feel ill and immediately every attention and treatment the doctors and nurses could give was administered. Soon she spoke to her husband of being in great misery, and weakness and exhaustion gradually overcame her. The attending phyisician called more help, but all to no avail. At 7:30 little Darlene was born, and at 8:00 o'clock Florence quietly went to her heavenly reward. A post-mortem disclosed that her death was caused by a hemorrhage of the gastic artery and vein situated near the stomach.

Florence's life was one of considerable activity and accomplishment in both spiritual and material things. She was a faithful wife and mother, always much concerned for the spiritual welfare of the family, as well as an outstanding homemaker.

She did much in aiding the nurses and personnel and the general cause of the Mercy hospital, spiritually and materially from its beginning. She was an active sister in the church, filling different positions. She was especially active in the sewing circle and various relief services. Her absence will not only be keenly felt in her home, but by all of her friends. Her concern about eternal things brought about a special preparation before going to the hospital for whatever might occur, leaving with her family a full assurance of her having gone to be with her Saviour.

She leaves to mourn her early departure her deeply bereaved companion, two sons, Wilbur and Alton, and one daughter, Virginia, all of the home; three sisters, Mrs. Noah Wiggers, Mrs. Abe H. Unruh and Mrs. Hattie Onstott, all of near Hesston; two brothers, Roy of Newton and Ralph of Los Angels, Calif.; and a host of other relatives and friends. her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Holdeman, two brothers, Walter and an infant, Isaiah, and one sister, Ettie, preceded her.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 23, at 2:000 p. m. at the home and 2;30 at the Meridian Mennonite church. A large number of relatives, friends and neighbors gathered for the last tribute. Min. Milford Wenger had charge of the service in the home, and at the church, Min. Jesse Johnson opened with introductory remarks and prayer, after which Min. Harry D. Wennger brought the sermon, choosing for his texts, Psa. 50: 1, Isa. 55: 8, 9; Mk. 14:8; Rev.. 14:13. Min. Milford Wenger made a few additional remarks and closed with prayer and Min. Ervin Harms had the graveside service. Burial was made in the nearby Meridian cemetery.