Goertz, Wilhelmina "Minnie" Nickel (1870-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 1 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 Apr 10

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Minnie Goertz, 89, widow of Peter Goertz and an early-day settler at Hillsboro, died Sept. 23 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rheinhold [sic Reinhold] Guhr. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Johannestal Mennonite church near Hillsboro, Rev. Esko Loewen officiating. Mrs. Goertz was born in Poland and came to this country as a child. She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Guhr, Elizabeth Goertz and Ruby Goertz, all of Hillsboro, and Sister Anna Marie Goertz of Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 8 p. 8

text of obituary:

MINNIE NICKEL GOERTZ

Wilhelmina (always called Minnie) Nickel Goertz was born near Warsaw, Poland on April 10, 1870. She departed this life on Sept. 23, 1959 at her home in Hillsboro, Kan., making her age 89 years, five months and 13 days. She was the oldest child of Gerhard P. and Marianna Unruh Nickel. At the age of nine years, she with her parents and three sisters came to America and arrived in Peabody, Kansas on July 4, 1879. Their home was made near Hillsboro, where her father was a minister.

On Jan. 4, 1885 she was baptized upon her confession of faith that Christ was her Saviour by Elder J. S. Hirschler and joined the Johannestal Mennonite church, to which she remained faithful. During her mother's long illness and after her death, heavy responsibilities fell on mother. It was hers to shoulder the home duties for seven children, the youngest sister being only two years old. However, she was ably assisted by those next younger than she.

On Dec. 5, 1891 she married Peter Goertz and together they shared the hardships of pioneer life and the love of home for over 45 years. Our father passed away on April 24, 1937. Six children, two sons and four daughters, were born to their union. The sons preceded her in death, Ezra on Apr. 10, 1895 and Daniel on March 7 of this year.

Mother's life was centered within the four walls of her home and the busy farm life. Having a deep love for her home and family, she planted seeds of love into the heart of each one. She maintained her Christian faith and trust, not so much in a wordy confession but in an inward precious treasure. Her life was not always one of calmness; she had her battles when faith was strongly assailed, but through prayer she has prevailed. Our mother prayed much, often alone, and the time of united prayer with her loved ones were precious and willing be remembered.

Mother has now joined father, our two brothers, her parents, her one brother and her three sisters in the Homeland above. May there be a blessed reunion in God's own time with those of us left here below; four daughters, Sister Anna Marie of Newton, Ruby, Lizzie and Mrs. Emma Guhr of Hillsboro, and one son-in-law Reinhold Guhr; four grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Emma Pinnell of Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Anna Kliewer of Colorado Springs, Colo., Mrs. Agnes Harms of Seattle, Wash. and Mrs. Amelia Schroeder of Goessel, Kansas; one stepbrother, Peer A. Nickel of Topeka, Kansas, and many relatives.

Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Johannestal church with Rev. Esko Loewen officiating. The following Scriptures were read: Psalm 103, Psalm 116, John 5:19-29 and I Peter 1:3-9, and the sermon was based on Philippians 4:7. Interment was made in the Johannestal cemetery. — Her Daughters.