Doerksen, Rosie Anna Wiebe (1897-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Jun 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1897 Aug. 22

text of obituary:

MRS. ROSIE DOERKSEN

Rosie Anna Doerksen, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Wiebe, was born in Jansen, Neb. on Aug. 22, 1897. When she was ten years old her family moved to Hooker, Okla. and four years later they moved back to Jansen. She graduated from Fairbury High School in 1919, after which she taught school for two and a half years.

She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour while in her teens and was baptized by Rev. Peter A. Wiebe, becoming a member of the Jansen K. M. B. Church. She and our father later joined the M. B. Church, and she remained a faithful member until the time of her death.

On March 13, 1921, she was united in marriage to Rev. David M. Doerksen. This union was blessed with four children, two of whom died in infancy. Being a minister's wife, she opened the doors of our home to many friends and strangers. She was sensitive to other people's needs. She possessed the God-given gift to create beauty with her hands, and this helped her endure her many lonely hours.

 She was active in Sunday school work for many years and enjoyed helping the women's missionary society.

In 1931 the family moved to Madrid, Neb. where they farmed until 1951. They retired from farming and settled in Reedley, Calif. where they built a home at 104 Rupert. After 11 years, our father suddenly passed away and went to be with the Lord.

Mother attempted to live in the family home, but because of failing health she took up residence at the M. B. Home in 1962. Her condition worsened and she went to live in Pleasant View Manor in the fall of 1968.

We as children thank God for her many recoveries because we needed to guide our footsteps in the right path. Likewise she encouraged her grandchildren to develop their talents to serve the Lord.

Her cross of suffering was a hard one to bear. She was often eager for the time when she could abandon this earthly body and enter in where there would be no more pain and suffering. She received strength from Psalms 23 and 121 which helped sustain her faith in the living God.

On Friday morning, March 14, she had a severe stroke and March 15, 1969 she quietly went to be with her Saviour. She reached the age of 71 years, six months and 24 days.

She leaves to mourn her son Harold of Camp Verde, Ariz., and her daughter, Ruth, of Reedley; one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law; six grandchildren; four brothers and four sisters: Roland, San Antonio, Texas, John, Madrid, Neb., Alvin, Dalhart, Texas, Donald, Sewickley, Pa., Mathilda, Mrs. Alfred Suderman of Newton, Kan., Elma, Mrs. Gus Friesen of Madrid, Neb., Hilda, Mrs. Dan Loewen of Merino, Colo., and Mildred, Mrs. Bill Ediger of Fresno, Calif.