Fransen, Anna Goertzen (1871-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Apr 19 p. 8

Birth date: 1871 Nov 17

text of obituary:

MRS. KLAAS FRANSEN

Mrs. Klaas Fransen, nee Anna Goertzen, was born in South Russia in the village of Prangennau [sic Prangenau] on November 17, 1871, and departed this life to be with the Lord March 11, 1951 at 1:20 p. m. at the age of 79 years, three months and 24 days.

She received her education and early training in the village where she was born. In the year 1884 she emigrated with her parents to America and they settled near Inman, Kans.

In the year 1892 she was baptized upon her confession of faith by elder Bernhard Buhler, and accepted as a member of the Hebron Mennonite church.

On June 13, 1900, she was joined in marriage to Klaas Fransen by elder Dietrich Gaeddert. She has shared the joys and sorrows of married life for almost 40 years.

In 1903 Mrs. Fransen and her husband moved to Beaver county, Okla. and homesteaded not far from Floris, Okla. Mrs. Fransen with her good husband then experienced all the hopes and hardships of pioneer life. As her husband was ever interested in the work of the church, they became charter members of the newly organized church and for many years her husband faithfully served this church as deacon. He departed from this life May 18, 1940.

Here Mrs. Fransen had many opportunities to lend a helping hand in the church work, which she did by the grace of God in the most humble way. Her path was not always strewn with roses but frequently it was marked by suffering, especially in the past few years. The thing that always impressed those who visited her was her patience and the absence of complaint and bitterness.

She leaves to mourn her departure one son, Nick Fransen; three daughters, Mrs. Albert Ediger, Elizabeth and Annie; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Nick Fransen; one son-in-law, Albert Ediger; two grandsons Edward and Walter Paul Ediger; one granddaughter, Carolyn Ann Fransen; three brothers, Henry Goertzen of Hutchinson, Kans., Jacob Goertzen of Big Bow, Kans. and John Goertzen of Inman. Kans.; two sisters, Mrs. Henry Plett, Turpin, Okla., and Mrs. George Pauls of Reedley, California, and many friends. Three sons preceded her in death in their infancy. We mourn, but not as such who are without hope.

Funeral services were conducted on March 15 with a short service in the home. The opening prayer was by Rev. J. G. Unruh, pastor, followed by special music by ladies trio, comforting remarks and prayer in the German by Rev. A. J. Dick of Inman.

Services in the church included music by a ladies trio, and Scripture and prayer by Rev. Unruh using John 14:1-16, with special emphasis on Verse 27 because this verse was one very dear to the departed sister. The men’s octet then sang “Farther Along.” The obituary was read by Rev. A. J. Dick, followed by a short message, partly in German.

The grave service consisted of a prayer followed by a song by the octet. Rev. Dick gave a few remarks. The committal and prayer were by the pastor. — The bereaved family.