Friesen, Helena Bergman (1873-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Mar 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1873 Sep 6

text of obituary:

Mrs. J. C. Friesen

Our beloved mother, Helena Friesen, oldest daughter of Peter P. and Helena Voth Bergman, was born Sept. 6, 1873 in the village of Parngenau [sic Prangenau], South Russia.

In 1876 she with her parents and two brothers came to America and settled in Bingham Lake, Minnesota. Seven years later they moved to Kansas and it was here that she received her education and grew to womanhood. On Feb. 12, 1898 she was united in marriage with John C. Friesen. he was taken from her side by God through death,July 225, 1925. To this union were born eleven children, of whom ten survive their parents. One daughter was taken by God in infancy and also one son-in-law.

On July 2, 1916, mother was baptized upon the confession of her faith by rev. G. M. Pankratz and became a member of the Inman Mennonite Brethren church.

Our mother knew what it meant to sacrifice. Many have been the sacrifices before she brought her family to manhood and womanhood. Especially was this true after she was left alone with the cares of the family after the death of our dear father. She not only had the family at heart but was always willing to help others by doing the little things which meant so much to her and to those whom she loved.

Little did we realize how frail she was until she became bedfast. Even in her time of intense suffering, and she suffered much during the last two weeks, she was brave and courageous. She had a desire to stay with us for a little while longer and she gave us hopes with her motherly and encouraging smile, even in the last few days, that she might recover from her illness. But it was not God's will and she gave us the assurance that if it was His will that she was ready and willing to meet her Creator.

Mother's patience and pleasing ways will long be remembered by her children as well as by her many friends.

While visiting her son Jake and family in Jasper, Texas, she became seriously ill. From there she was taken immediately to Weatherford, Oklahoma, to remain with her brother Jake K. Bergman. Here everything possible was done to make her last days easy and comfortable. But it was God's will to take her from us on Friday, March 13, at 10:15 A. M. She reached the age of 68 years, 6 months, and 7 days.

Her early departure will be very deeply felt by us and we as her children mourn, but all hope to meet again where there will be no more parting.

The children surviving her are; Sarah Kroeker, Hutchinson; Clara and Emma Doerksen, Denair, Calif.; Jake P. Friesen, Jasper, Texas; Nellie Hampton, Great Bend; Lizzie and Helen Heidebrecht, Inman; John I. Friesen, Ness City; Karl Friesen, Russel [sic Russell]; and Esther Beutler, Wilmer, Calif.

Also surviving her are hour brothers: John, Jake K. and Isaac Bergman of Weatherford, Oklahoma and Cornelius Bergman, Colony, Okla. Two sisters: Mrs. A. G. Duerksen and Mrs. C. F. Reimer of Corn, Okla., twenty grandchildren and one great-grandchild and a host of relatives and friends.

     "I heard the voice of Jesus say, come unto Me and rest
Lay down thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.

     I came to Jesus as I was, weary, worn, and sad
I found to Him a resting place, and He has made me glad."

Funeral services were held at the Hoffnungsau church Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. A. J. Dyck officiating and Rev. J. E. Kaufman assisting. A mixed quartet furnished music at the church and the Inman high school boys' quartet sang, "Going Down the Valley" at the cemetery. Interment was in the Inman cemetery. — The children.