Gaede, Anna B. Duerksen Harms (1871-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Nov 24 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Sep 21

text of obituary:

WELL KNOWN RESIDENT OF REEDLEY, CALIF. DIED AT AGE 84

Reedley, Calif. — Mrs. Anna B. Gaede, well known resident of this community, died Nov15 after suffering a heart attack two days earlier. She was 84.

Funeral services were conducted at the Mennonite Brethren church, Rev. Dan E. Friesen and Rev. B. J. Braun officiating.

Mrs. Gaede was born in South Russia Sept. 21, 1871, and came to Kansas in 1879. She leaves 12 children and 56 grandchildren. A son, Dr. M. S. Gaede, is mayor of Reedley.

---

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Dec 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA B. GAEDE

Anna Duerksen Harms Gaede, a member of the Reedley, Calif. Mennonite Brethren Church, was called to her heavenly home Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 3 p. m. at the age of 84 years, one month, and 25 days. She had been a resident of California since 1937

She was born Sept. 21, 1871, in Alexanderthal, South Russia, and in her early years came with her parents, Jacob J. and Katherina Funk Duerksen, to America, where they settled on a farm near Goessel, Kansas. She experienced the hardships of pioneer days, but with her optimistic and courageous outlook on life, found satisfaction and a certain joy in overcoming difficulties.

When she was 17 years old two important events of her life took place. First, she lost her dear mother, and second she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour, was baptized by Elder Cornelius Wedel, and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church at Goessel, Kansas.

In 1889 she was united in holy wedlock with Cornelius Harms of Lehigh, Kansas, With joyful anticipation they looked into the future, but their pilgrimage together was of short duration, for on May 13, 1892, her husband and father of their five-day-old daughter, Tina Cecilia, was called to be with the Lord. Great was her sorrow, but her strong faith in God sustained her and brought to her new field of work.

During the years that followed she taught school at Moundridge, Kansas, and soon became an effective leader among young people. But her heart went out especially to suffering humanity; consequently she enrolled as a student, preparing for the medical profession, in McPherson College where her brothers John F. and Peter F. Duerksen were on the teaching staff.

In 1896, at the age of 25, she was married to Abaham [sic Abraham] B. Gaede from Ebenfeld, Kansas, thereby taking the place of mother for his nine children. With sincere devotion and untiring love she gave herself to her work, and the father soon found in her a devoted companion, and the children a wonderful mother.

Seven children were born to this union, making in all a family of 17 children The old grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gaede, also lived with them, and she devotedly took care of them for many years.

That such a family with children of various temperaments, characteristics, and physical needs requires a mother of great understanding, resourcefulness, courage, and faith can easily be imagined. Her knowledge acquired in college and her practical experience in the school room, and especially her firm belief in God, became a great help to her in this home. Unselfishly and prayerfully she cared not only for the physical needs but with an inspiring influence looked also after the spiritual life. it was her fervent prayer that God might use this large family to "His honor and glory."

In February 1920, Father Gaede passed away in Hillsboro, Kansas, leaving her a widow at 48. Leaning on God's precious Word she adjusted herself also to this situation.

During mother's residence in Hillsboro, she welcomed many Tabor students into her home as roomers, and was a loving and understanding housemother to them.

Her interest and concern, however, went far beyond the home. the Sunday School found in her a faithful teacher, the church a diligent worker, the educational institutions a loyal supporter, the welfare projects an untiring helper, and the sufferer a Christian friend. Daily she sought courage and strength from on high, and trusted implicitly in the promises of God and in the atoning power of the Blood of Christ.

In 1937 she came to California where she made her home with her children except for the last five months, when she resided in the Home for the Aged at Reedley.

Her health was remarkably good, but on Sunday morning, Nov. 13, ready for Sunday School, she unexpectedly suffered a heart attack and was taken to the hospital by her son, D.r M. S. Gaede, with the hope that she might rally. But God in His wisdom had a different way.

What could be done was done for her, but slowly she became weaker and weaker. On Tuesday morning, Nov 15, she was sinking fast and we saw her end was near. Speech failed her, but with effort she raised her hand and waved a last goodbye, then pointed upward to indicate that she was going Home. Peacefully she breathed her last to be forever with the Lord.

She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Sarah Ratzlaff, Bakersfield, and by the following children, all of whom except Ben A. Gaede from Oklahoma City were present at the funeral: of her first marriage, Mrs. Tina C. Harms Seibel, Reedley; of her second marriage, Mrs. Leona Loewen, Shafter; Dr. Menno S. Gaede, Reedley; Mrs. Edna Penner, Ingalls, Kansas; Mrs. Esther Lapp, Bakersfield; Mrs. Malinda Groening, Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs Martha Lingo, Los Angeles.

Her oldest son, Dr. Alvin W. Gaede, Bakersfield, passed away Nov. 19, 1953, exactly two years ago today.

She is further survived by five of the nine children of Father Gaede's first marriage; Mrs. Agatha Harms, San Jose; Ben A. Gaede, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Katie Penner, Hillsboro, Kansas; Henry A. Gaede, Reedley; John E. Gaede, Newton, Kansas.

The following preceded her in death: Mrs. Marie Duerksen, Reedley; Margaret Gaede; Mrs. Anna Schenkosky, Hooker, Okla.; A. A. Gaede, Fairview, Okla.

She leaves 53 grandchildren and 85 great grandchildren.

We as family feel that we have had a wonderful Christina mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and we have the blessed hope of meeting her agin in glory. — The Family.