Derksen, Katherine Heppner (1878-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Dec 22 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 Oct 31

text of obituary:

KATHERINE HEPPNER DERKSEN

Katherine Heppner Derksen was born Oct.31, 1878, the daughter of Diedrich [sic Dietrich] and Anna Heppner, and grew to womanhood on the home farm near Darfur, Minn.

She attended school in private homes such as the David Voth and Jacob Stoesz homes. Upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour she was baptized in 1899 by Elder Gerhard Neufeld and thus became a member of the First Mennonite Church. She remained a member until she passed away Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1955, at about 7:10 a. m. She was 77 years and 24 days old.

On June 29, 1955 1915], we were united in marriage and thus shared more than 40years of life's joys and sorrows together. We were blessed with two sons, Elmer and Walter. Elmer was called to his eternal rest on Feb. 21, 1943 after four and one-half years of suffering. During these years we went to Worthington every Sunday to see him at the Sanatorium where he was confined.

My wife was one of the charter members of the Oakleaf Mission Society and was an active member as long as she was able to attend meetings.

She knew few days without pain and discomfort, having been in poor health since childhood. On Labor Day, twelve weeks ago, she suffered a stroke and had been in a coma since that time. She spent six weeks at Bethel hospital and the last six weeks was faithfully cared for in our home by Miss Anna Brown.

She experienced a great joy when our son built his home close to ours and thus made it possible for our granddaughter to visit her daily. She loved to teach Lynette the old familiar hymns.

Surviving besides myself is our son, his wife, Viola, and their two daughters, Lynette Suzanne and Nancy Jean. There are four sisters and six brothers. Of this family only one brother, Dietrich had gone to his eternal Home.

Services were conducted at the First Mennonite Church of Mt. Lake, Minn. Monday, Nov. 28, with Rev. Willard Wiebe, pastor of the church, in charge. Interment was at the Mt. Lake cemetery. — J. P. E. Derksen.

The Mennonite obituary: 1956 Jan 3 p. 24