Goertzen, Jacob H. (1881-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Aug 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1881 Apr 4

text of obituary:

JACOB H. GOERTZEN

Jacob H. Goertzen, son of Henry and Maria Dick Goertzen, was born in South Russia April 4,1881. His parents came to America when Jacob was a child of three. They settled near Inman, Kansas where he grew to young manhood.

In 1904 he was united in holy matrimony to Anna Schierling of Inman, Kansas after which they pioneered and homesteaded in Beaver County, Okla.

In 1907 he and his companion trusted the Lord as their personal Saviour and were baptized by Elder Abraham Cornelson. During these early pioneer days, being concerned for the religious needs of the community, he became instrumental in helping build one of the first churches in the community, the Free Methodist Church. Here he and his family worshipped until 1917 when they moved to Hooker, Okla. and were united with the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1918 they moved to Canada where they lived for only one year, returning again to Beaver County, Okla. in 1919.

In 1928 they moved to Western Kansas and settled in Grant County where he became a successful farmer. Later he built a home in Big Bow, Kansas where he spent the remainder of his life. During their union of 54 years, eleven children were born to them, five boys and six girls. Two of these preceded him in death: Eva in infancy, and Helen (Mrs. John Lunde) at the age of 28.

Mr. Goertzen was always in good health and worked hard all of his life until about three years ago when he had a light stroke which left him weak, and from which he only partially recovered. He gradually continuel [sic] to fail, and on July 29 he was taken to the Trinity Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas where he went to be with the Lord Sunday night, August 3, at the age of 77 years and five months.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Anna of Bib Bow; nine children, Annie, Mrs. A. J. Goertzen of Dodge City, Kansas, Mary, Mrs. John Dahl of Reedley, Calif., Frank Goertzen of Orlando, Florida, Martha, Mrs. Dave Schmidt of Bakersfield, Calif., Dan E. Goertzen of Santa Clara, Calif., Wm. Goertzen of Shafter, Calif., Harry Goertzen of Big Bow, Kansas, Henry Goertzen of Roseburg, Oregon, Esther Goertzen of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. Henry Plett and Mrs. George Pauls; one brother, John J. Goertzen; 25 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and a host of friends.

The funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church of Ulysses, Kansas on August 7, with Rev. John Flaming officiating. — Mrs. J. H. Goertzen and Children.