Cornelsen, David A. (1871-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Feb 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1871 Dec 9

text of obituary:

DAVID A. CORNELSEN

I, David A. Cornelsen was born on the ninth of December, 1871, in the Don community in South Russia. At the age of seven years, I came to America with my parents, Abraham and Agnetha Cornelsen. We settled on a farm in Marion county, Kansas, south of Hillsboro in the Ebenfeld community. Here I received my elementary school education.

At the age of 13 I lost my father through death, and so my brothers and I took care of mother.

On May 1, 1902, I was united in marriage to Nettie Nikkel. This union the Lord blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters.

In 1906 we went into the hardware business in Aulne, Kansas. I served on the school board there for four years. In 1913 we sold out our business in Aulne and in 1914 went into hardware and implement business in Hillsboro.

In 1922 I realized my lost condition and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and on May 14, 1922, I was baptized upon my confession of faith and was received into the fellowship of the M.B. church at Hillsboro, Kansas.

In 1929 I sold out my business in Hillsboro. I had served on the City Council for 12 years. I had to make a change because of my health so in 1930 we moved to Dalhart, Texas.

In 1936 we moved on a farm south of Fairview, Okla. During World War Two, when our youngest sons left home and I was not strong enough to carry on the work we left the farm in 1944 and bought a residence in Fairview and retired.

(This far Bro. Cornelsen has written himself.)

When we moved to Fairview we also transferred our membership to the South church and in 1950 transferred it to the City church. Our father loved his church and missed the fellowship with God's people keenly after he was no longer able to attend. He appreciated visits from friends.

On Jan. 18, 1952, the whole family was saddened when son Herman was suddenly taken from us in death. to the departed one this was a severe blow. He and our mother however found comfort in God's Word and in the assurance that 'He doeth all things well."

On May 1, 1952, our parents had the joy of celebrating their golden wedding. Since that time we noticed, however, that father was failing. the last months of his life were spent within the confines of his home. At noon on Friday, Jan. 14, 1955, he quietly slipped away to be with the Saviour whom he loved so dearly. He reached the age of 83 years and 35 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife; three sons, Howard and family of Houston, Texas. Arlyss and his family of Powell, Wyoming, and Don of Whittier, Calif.; four daughters, Mrs. Edna Suderman and family of Hillsboro, Kansas, Mrs. Bessie Dykes and family of Bloomington, Calif., Ruby Taylor of Amarillo, Teas, and Leona of California; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Herman Cornelsen of Emporia, Kansas; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

We mourn his departure but we are assured that he has but preceded us and awaits a reunion in glory.

Funeral services were held Jan. 18, 1955 at the Mennonite Brethren church, Fairview, Okla., Rev. D. J. Wiens, Rev. A. W. Epp and Rev. J. J. Karber officiating. Music was furnished by a male quartet. Interment was made in the South M. B. cemetery at Fairview. — The Bereaved Family.