Durksen, Sara Pauls (1897-1969)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Feb 20 p. 27

Birth date: 1897 Nov 30

text of obituary:

MRS. SARA DURKSEN

Sara Durksen (nee Pauls) of St. Catharines, Ont., went to her eternal rest on December 14, 1969. She had suffered from gradual deterioration in her physical condition for the past six years and during this time period she spent many hours with her husband in heart-searching prayer and discussiion of the wonderful ways God had led them in together. As she began to realize the seriousness of her condition, she often concluded her prayer with the sentence, "Blessed Lord , make me fit for the Holy Sight."

She was born November 30, 1897 in Alexanderthal South Russia. She was the first child of David and Sara Pauls. She was named Sara after her mother and inherited from her the ability and joy for singling. When she was 16 years of age she accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour. The Lord blessed her with a happy nature and together with her love for singing, she dedicated her life to the service of the Lord. On May 25, 1918 she was brought together in marriage with David D. Durksen, who survives her.

She brought sacrificial love, cheerfulness and sing1ing to a large family that God gave them. She saw as her first duty the service to her family. Fervently she prayed for the salvation of all her children and grandchildren. In the same manner she was a blessing to the fellowship of the church to which she belonged.

She preceded in death a family of 65 members. She is survived by her husband, David Durksen; five sons, David and Jake, of Winnipeg, John, Fred and Arthur of St, Catharines; seven daughters, Sarah and Kay, St. Catharines, Mrs. Dave (Helen) Wall, Virgil, Mrs. Aron (Mary) Froese, St. Catharines, Mrs. Clare (Clara) Schnupp, Dryden, Onto Mrs. John (Viola) Eckert, and Mrs. Henry (Agnes) Petkau, both of St. Catharines; four brothers, David, Martin, John and Jacob; and four sisters, Katherine (Mrs. Paul Wallman), Helen (Mrs. Peter Braun). Mary (Mrs. Jacob Braun) and Anna (Mrs. J. J. Paetka; and numerous grandchildren and friend.