Duerksen, Katherine Schroeder Schmidt (1871-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Nov 3 p. 5

Birth date: 1871 Jul 20

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Katie Duerksen, a resident of the old people’s home at Goessel, passed away there on Monday afternoon at the age of 78. She leaves four daughters and two sons and their families. Miss Lillian Unruh, office secretary for the Review, is a granddaughter. Funeral services for Mrs. Duerksen have been announced for Thursday afternoon, at 1:00 o'clock at the old people's home and 2:00 o'clock at the Alexanderwohl church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Nov 17 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHERINE DUERKSEN

Mrs. Katherine Duerksen was born July 20, 1871 at Sparrau, South Russia. In 1877 she migrated with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Duerksen, to the United States. They lived for a short time near Newton, Kans., later moving to a home east of Hillsboro, Kans. where the departed spent her childhood and youth. She also received her elementary education in the public school.

On May 26, 1890, she was converted and was baptized upon her confession of faith in Her Redeemer and joined the Bruderthal church.

On August 23, 1891, she was united in marriage to Jacob J. Schroeder. To this union were born eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom one son passed away in early infancy. They were permitted to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary Aug. 23, 1916. On August 25, 1932, her husband passed away due to a fatal accident. They were permitted to share life's joys and sorrows for over 41 years.

On Dec. 2, 1934, she was united in marriage to P. H. Schmidt but already on April 21, 1937, he was taken in death. During this marriage the departed transferred her membership to the Goessel Mennonite church.

On March 17, 1940, she was united in marriage to Gerhardt Duerksen. However, also this marriage was dissolved by death on Dec. 28, 1943. During this marriage she transferred her membership to the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church whose faithful member she remained until death.

Soon after the death of father Duerksen she began to fail in health. Since it became apparent that she could no longer take care of herself in her own home in Goessel, she preferred to go to the Mission Home in Hillsboro where her daughter, Mrs. J. L. Harder, was employed. Later, she was transferred to the Bethesda Old Folks Home in Goessel where she spent the remaining days of her life. Much love and kindness has been given her by the sisters and residents of the home.

She was seriously ill the last week of her life. She passed away Oct. 31, 1949, at 10:50 p. m. at the age of 78 years, three months and 11 days.

Her life, too, contained much hardship, but she bore her trials patiently, always leaning on the Lord who gave her strength. She was a loving and kind mother and always much concerned about her family welfare. It was unusually hard for her when her daughter Louise, Mrs. Gus Wiederstein, was fatally injured in an automobile accident, and also when her youngest son Theodore was stricken with infantile paralysis. The repeated occurence [sic occurrence] of death in her home made great impressions upon her life.

She leaves to mourn her departure the following children: Mrs. J. L. Harder and family, Mrs. Albert Unruh and family, Gus Wiederstein and family, Edward Schroeder and family, Mrs. Paul Heidebrecht and family, Mrs. George Jansen and family, Theodore Schroeder and family. Twenty-nine grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 16 step-children, and one brother also survive. One daughter, one son, two sons-in-law and two grandchildren preceded her in death.

Services at the Alexanderwohl church were in charge of Rev. Phil A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. Charles Diener of the Bunker Hill church.