Goertzen (1926-1927)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 May 11 p. 1

Birth date: 1926

text of obituary:

TEN KILLED IN A TORNADO

Among Them are Three Members of Mennonite Families

Among the ten that are known to be dead, and probably more than a hundred injured as the result of the tornadoes which swept northeastward through Barber, Kingman, Reno and McPherson counties around 12 o'clock last Saturday night, are three members of Mennonite families. Ten more are known to be more or less seriously injured.

Those who lost their life in the storm are:

H. H. Toews, living two and one-half miles west of Inman, died as he was being brought into a neighbor's home, after his house had been demolished.

The six months old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Goertzen, two and one-half miles north of Medora, was found dead in a wheat feld [sic], a mile from the house where he had been blown when the home was destroyed.

Frank Kaufman, who was instantly killed at his home at Medicine Lodge, in Barber County.

Those known to be injured are all from the communities west and south of Inman. They are:

Mrs. J. H. Goertzen, mother of the child that was killed, is seriously ill in a hospital in Hutchinson from injuries received. Her recovery is doubtful.

Five Goertzen boys, ages 5 to 12, cut and bruised.

Elias Klassen, Inman, who received a serious cut in the back.

A brother of Elias Klassen. His foot is badly cut.

Mrs. Abr. Wiens and Mrs. A. H. Toews, living west of Inman, were seriously injured.

Miss Martha Thiessen, received a cut in one arm.

Other members of Mennonite families, of which no report was received, may have suffered minor injuries.

The tornado came without warning late at night after a hot, sultry day, taking most of its victims by surprise. Striking first in Barber county, where the wind killed a number of people and caused a vast loss of property, it moved in a northeasterly direction through Kingman and Reno counties, taking a toll of life and property. The greatest property damage was done in the eastern part of the city of Hutchinson, where it struck some of the salt mines. It then moved toward Medora and Inman in McPherson county where in the dead of the night it hit many homes of Mennonite farmers with all its fury and destructiveness. many places were completely wiped out of existence. People and animals were pierced with glass, wood, and various other debris. The storm was followed by heavy rains in many sections, which added to the seriousness of the situation. The total property damage is estimated at about a million dollars.

The farm homes of the following people of the Inman community are reported to be partially or completely wrecked: Peter Nachtigal, B. B. Warkentin, J. D. Siemens, Pete Goertzen, Dr. J. J. Goertzen, Klaas Kroeker, John E. Klassen, Rev. Cor. Thiessen, H. H. Toews and J. J. Klassen.

The funeral services for H. H. Toews are to be held Wednesday afternoon at the Zoar church. Burial will be made in the Zoar cemetery.

Those bereft of their dear ones and their homes are in great need of help and sympathy.