Goertz, Franz H. (1860-1942)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1942 Mar 10 p. 14

Birth date: 1860 Feb 19

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Mar 12 p. 8

text of obituary:

Frank H. Goertz

Frank H. Geortz was born on Feb. 19, 1860, in the village Alexanderwohl, South Russia, and departed this life at his home five miles north of Walton, Kansas, on Feb. 23, 1942, at the age of 82 years and four days.

He was the son of Henry and Eva Janzen Goertz. He received his schooling from the good teacher, Cornelius Wedel. He passed the years of his youth in Russia, and as a young man of 16 years came to America with his parents in 1874. He worked hard during the pioneer years.

He was baptized by Elder Jacob Buller on August 4, 1878, and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church. When he was 22 years old he married Susanna Hiebert, daughter of Peter Hiebert. He was joined in wedlock by Rev. Henry Goertz. As a marriage text Rev. Goertz had chosen Matth. 7: 7, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you."

At first Mr. and Mrs. Goertz lived with the mother-in-law, but soon moved to their own farm. Then he devoted himself to carpentry. When in the year 1908 the Tabor church was established, he joined this church. Nine children were born to them, three sons and six daughters, of which one son 9 days old and two daughters, Gertrude of 8 years and Ida of 5 years died. The daughters died of diphtheria in an interval of 10 days one son, Frank, died at the age of 52 years.

Mr. Goertz is survived by his wife, one son, Henry F. Goertz of Walton; and four daughters, Mrs. Abraham Wolk of Newport, Washington; Mrs. C. C. Koehn, Peabody; Mrs. Emil Schroeder, Hillsboro; Mrs. Burk Guhr, Newton; one daughter-in-law, and four sons-in-law; 35 grandchildren of which three died, 21 great-grandchildren, of which 2 have died.

Father Goertz has often suffered of kidney stones, which came on again, and heart trouble which caused his death. He has been sick for about 10 days. He loved music and singing greatly. His loved one watched with him and sang "There Over Yonder Starry sea" and "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb"; he sang with them as well as he could. When the pain became very great, he said "What the Lord does, is well done". We are glad he is at rest.

Funeral services were held at the Tabor church on Feb. 28, the Rev. P. H. Richert officiating (text Ephesians 2: 8 - 10) assisted by Rev. Peter Buller (text Isaiah 35: 10). Pallbearers were six grandsons, Arthur and Ernest Goertz, Jacob C. and Cornelius Koehn, Jonathan and Samuel Guhr. Burial at the Tabor cemetery under the direction of Bergen & Son of Goessel.

The Mennonite obituary: 1942 Mar 24 p. 13