Goertzen, Henry H. (1878-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Apr 7 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 Dec 18

text of obituary:

HENRY H. GOERTZEN

Henry H. Goertzen, son of Henry and Maria Dick Goertzen, was born in South Russia on Dec. 18, 1878. His parents came to America when Henry was about four years of age. They settled in the community of Inman, Kansas, where he received his education in the elementary school and grew to manhood.

When he reached the age of self-accountability he saw his lost condition and accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Upon the confession of his faith in Christ Jesus he was baptized by Rev. Bernard Buhler and accepted as a member of the Hebron Mennonite church of which he remained a faithful member to the time of his departure. He served in various committees and enjoyed the work.

On Oct. 30, 1901 he was united in marriage to his now mourning wife, Susie Loepp. In this union they shared joys and hardships of life for more than 53 years. After their marriage they established their home near Conway, Kansas. In 1903 they moved to Beaver county, Okla. where they remained til 1919, when they moved back to McPherson county, Kansas. Here he lived on a farm and sevrved [sic] in different capacities in the community, as member of the school board, as trustee of the township and for two terms as county Commissioner. In 1946 he moved to Hutchinson, Kansas but still enjoyed to come back to the farm and help his children.

To this union five children were born, three sons and two daughters. Three of his children preceded him in death: Esther in infancy, and Emma (Mrs. Wiens) and Henry in the prime of life after their marriages.

In 1950 he suffered a severe sickness and spent some time in the hospital in Halstead, Kansas, but he became well again and enjoyed fairly good health. He was active to the end, challenged by a pioneering spirit. On March 25 he went out to shovel some snow from the walk when about 6:30 p. m. he was suddenly taken by a severe heart attack.

He tried to live a Christian life and is now with Christ his Savior whom he loved and trusted to the end. We grant him the rest after an active life, even though the heart aches and the teardrops flow. He was a loving and caring husband and father. We say farewell till we meet again.

He reached the age of 76 years, three months, and seven days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Susie of Hutchinson, Kansas: his children, Pete and wife of Hutchinson, Kansas, John and wife and Mrs. Henry Goertzen of Inman, Kansas, and his son-in-law, Albert Wiens of Hutchinson; 17 grandchildren; two brothers and two sisters and many relatives and friends.