Duerksen, Anna S. Foth (1892-1926)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1926 Oct 21 p. 7

Birth date: 1892 Jul 8

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1926 Sep 29 p. 4

text of obituary:

Mrs. Edward Duerksen

Mrs. Edward Duerksen (Anna S. Foth) was born near Hillsboro, Marion Co., Kansas on July 8th, 1892. At the age of 6 she lost her dear mother through death, but after a short widowship her father he married again, and thus brought a mother into the home whom she never considered as a stepmother but always honered {sic] her as her right mother.

At the age of 13 she was converted and baptized in the ame year by Rev. H. P. Schroeder and joined the Mennonite Brethern [sic] church of Goessel in which her father Rev. J. S. Foth preached the gospel for a long time.

Her foundation of education was laid in the Steinbach school of Marion Co. and after graduation from this school she attended Tabor College of Hillsboro, Kans. She taught school for 7 years. She loved the children and was loved by the children. One year she taught in the Antioch school house (a school 1 mile south of her home), one year at Pleasant Valley, years she scattered many good seeds, two years at Sparta and three years at Steinbach her home school. In these which will sprout and grow to the honor of the Great Master.

On Sept., 1st 1921 she was married to Mr. Edward Duerksen, one of her class mates of her home school. In this union they lived 5 years and 14 days. Shortly after their marriage they left for Los Angeles, Calif. to attend the Torrey Bible School from which they graduated on Christmas 1923; she from the musical class. She had the privilege of writing the music for the class song, "Complete in him." While in Los Angeles she took active service in spreading the gospel; she was superintendent of the primary department in a little mission church. In August 1923 they were called by the Lord to Dulce, new Mexico to work among the Apache Indians, which work she enjoyed very much. She taught the women and girls how to sew and with this the gospel of salvation. Her health has never been too strong so this climate did not agree with her and they were compelled to leave this place. They then took up service in the vineyard of the Master in western Kansas and Oklahoma. After almost a year they left to take up work at Alsen, North Dakota. Here they expected to stay for some time and made themselves a home as good as they could under conditions; but this was only of a short duration, only one month and ten days when almost suddenly she was taken sick (changing of the blood into water and inner bleading [sic]). She never was homesick but always felt that she could not do enough for the Lord her dear Saviour. In the last days of her life she had the opportunity to take care of a blind little girl which stayed with her a few weeks. She taught her bible verses and the two songs "Jesus bids us shine," and, "I am a little sunbeam."

She died Sept. 14 at 10:30 p.m. at her home. She reached the age of 34 years, 2 months and 6 days. Her life verse was Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

She is survived by her stepmother, one brother, two half brothers, one half sister, six brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law, and her mother-in-law, and her dear husband.

Sept. 15th a short funeral was held at Alsen, N. Dak., words of comfort were spoken y Rev. John Guenter, Rev. 21, and Rev. B. Fadenrecht, Psm. 116:15. The choir same, "The blessed Hope." and, "When the roll is called up yonder."

The body was then brought to her home place near Hillsboro, Kansas, to be laid to rest at the Alexanderwohl church cemetery of which she was a member on Sept. 20th. Words of comfort and encouragement were spoken by Rev. Henrich Lorenz, John 14:1-6, Rev. Jacob Lorenz, Psm. 23, Rev. John Foth, missionaries from India (cousin to her) John 11 and Rev. P. H. Unruh, 1 John 3:2. Between time the home octet sang "Naeher Daheim" and a Tabor College Quartett, "There is no disappointment in Heaven." and the song for which she wrote the music in the Bible School at Los Angeles "Complete in Him." On the cemetery the Octett sang, "When the roll is called up yonder," Rev. J. H. Epp reading Thess. 4:13-18 and prayer. Here she shall rest till she will be called by her master whom she tried to serve in her humble way and whom she loved dearly.

The Mennonite obituary: 1926 Oct 14 p. 7