Goertzen, Helena Schmidt (1870-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 10 p. 6

Birth date: 1870 May 29

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Jacob H. Goertzen, 80 years of age, died at the Bethesda hospital in Goessel Monday morning. H. S. Goertzen of Newton is one of the seven surviving children. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Bergen funeral home, Goessel, and the Alxanderwohl [sic Alexanderwohl] church.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 17 p. 6

text of obituary:

— Rev. and Mrs. A. W. Friesen, Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard Friesen and Mrs. P. C. Friesen, all of Henderson, Nebr., were among the out-of-state relatives who attended the funeral of Grandmother Helena Goertzen at the Alexanderwohl church Wednesday afternoon, May 9. The services were in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, pastor of the church, with Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. Frank Pankratz assisting. Grandmother Goertzen died at the Bethesda Home for Aged in Goessel on May 7, only a few days short of 81 years old.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 May 24 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. HELENA GOERTZEN

Mrs. Helena Schmidt Goertzen, daughter of Jacob and Susanna (Richert) Schmidt, was born in Alexanderwohl, South Russia on May 29, 1870. She immigrated with her parents to the United States in 1874. Upon arrival her parents made their home near Goessel, Kans. where the departed attended school at the Hochfeld District.

She was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour May 2, 1888, by Rev. Jacob Buller, and became a member of the Alexanderwohl church whose faithful member she remained untill her death.

April 7, 1891, she was united in marriage to Jacob H. Goertzen, with whom she shared life’s joys and sorrows for over 60 years. They were able to celebrate their silver wedding in 1915 at their home on the farm, the golden wedding in 1941 at the Alexanderwohl church, and the 60th anniversary at the home of one of their children, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Goertzen of rural Newton, Kans. on April 22, 1951.

The deceased mother lived a quiet and reserved Christian life, finding it a great joy to rear her children in the faith and admonition of the Lord. She took great interest in the spiritual and material welfare of her children and grandchildren. When her husband was seriously injured in an automobile accident, she carefully ministered unto him as her health permitted.

Also in her life the burdens and cares attached to every good home were hers, but she bravely faced them all with faith in God, trusting that he would provide sufficiently for all her needs. She enjoyed normal health most of her life until her death. Only in the evening days of her life her health began to fail.

The parents lived in the Goessel community until 1929 when they moved to Hillsboro, Kans. After 13 years they moved back to the town of Goessel which remained their home with the exception of a few months when they lived with their children, Henry Goertzens, Dan Friesens, and J. B. Schmidts. Since April 3, 1950, they lived in the Bethesda Home for the Aged at Goessel, Kans. where the best care has been given them.

On April 30 the deceased mother suffered a stroke which left her seemingly unconscious until her passing, which occurred May 7, 1951, early in the morning. She attained the age of 80 years, 11 months and eight days.

Those who mourn her sudden, departure are J. H. Goertzen, her deeply sorrowing husband; children, Susie, Mrs. Dan Friesen, husabnd [sic] and family, Henry Goertzen, wife and family, Martha, Mrs. Jacob Schmidt, husband and family, Arnold Goertzen, wife and family, all of Newton, Kansas, Jacob S. Goertzen, wife and family, Hillsboro, Philip Goertzen, wife and family, Peabody, Ferdinand S. Goertzen, wife and family, Hillsboro; one brother-in-law, Rev. Frank G. Pankratz; 24 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Two children, David and Agnetha, who were twins, passed away in infancy April 24, 1904. Also three grandchildren and three great grandchildren and all of her brothers and sisters preceded her in death.

This concludes the life of a dear mother and true child of God who left us as children her admonitions, teachings and life’s influences which we shall always cherish and remember. She has gone and we grant her the heavenly rest, but we too shall endeavor to meet her again around the throne of our Heavenly Father. Of our mother it can also be said: “Blessed are the dead which died in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors: and their works do follow them” Rev. 14:13.

Funeral services were held at the Bethesda Home for the Aged and at the Alexanderwohl church Wednesday at 1:15 and 2:00 p.m., in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, the church pastor, assisted by Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. Frank Pankratz.