Fransen, Christena Merk (1891-1963)

Latest revision as of 15:01, 3 December 2019

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Feb 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1891 Nov 27

text of obituary:

Christena Merk Fransen, daughter of Henry and Susanna (Ewy) Merk, was born Nov. 27, 1891 at Dodge City, Kan. She came with her parents to Oklahoma at an early age where they homesteaded a farm near Corn. She grew to womanhood in this community and was married to Henry W. Fransen in the Bergthal Church on Nov. 19, 1911.

They farmed in this area for two years before homesteading in Montana, where they lived for five years before returning to the Corn community. In 1923 they moved to a farm in the Clinton area where she resided until her death. On July 5, 1908, she was baptized by Elder M. Klassen and united with the Bergthal Mennonite Church, where she was a faithful member and church worker, especially as a Sunday school teacher, as long as her health permitted.

Only one year ago on Nov. 19, 1961, mother and dad with a host of friends celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Shortly thereafter Dad's health began to fail rapidly and he passed away on Oct. 30, 1962.

She was admitted to the hospital on Nov. 10, 1962. For a time mother wished to recover but as pain increased she expressed her desire to enter Heaven. She departed this life at 1 p.m., Nov. 28, 1962, reaching the age of 71 years and one day.

Preceding her in death were her husband, one son, Johnnie, and two grandsons who died in infancy, one brother and one sister.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Alvin (Elsie) Hinz of Corn, Mrs. Walter (Martha) Harms of Clinton, and Amanda of the home; five sons, Henry, Albert, George, and Harvey, all of Clinton, and Dr. James M. of Bogota, Columbia; four daughters-in-law and two sons-in-law; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one brother, Henry E. Merk of Salem, Oregon; three sisters, Mrs. Ferd Neufeld of Burrton, Kan., Frieda Ann Merk and Mrs. Raymond Bearden, both of Enid, Okla. — The Family.