Goerz, Martha Mary Krehbiel (1876-1947)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1947 Mar 4 p. 10

Birth date: 1876 Apr 18

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Feb 6 p. 1

text of obituary:

Final Services For Former Missionary
Editor Last Saturday

MRS. R. A. GOERZ WAS ACTIVE IN CHURCH
AND CIVIC GROUPS HERE

Memorial services for Mrs. Martha Mary Goerz, wife of the late Rudolph A. Goerz, took place at the First Mennonite church of Newton on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 1, with Rev. Lester Hostetler of the Bethel College congregation and Dr. J. H. Langenwalter of Wichita officiating.

Mrs. Goerz, who was 71, passed away at the Bethel Deaconess hospital on Jan. 29 after becoming ill at her home, 401 East Third street, the morning of the same day. She and her husband were long-time residents of Newton and were widely known because of their prominence in civic and church activities. Mrs. Goerz was a member of the Bethel College congregation and served on the executive committee of the women’s missionary association of the General Conference and the Bethel Deaconess Hospital auxiliary to the time of her death.

She was one of the leaders in the organization of the women’s missionary association and for a number of years served as editor of the “Missionary News and Notes.”

Her husband, who died July 10, 1945, was the founder and president of the Goerz Flour Mills Co. here and was active in Newton civic afafirs [sic affairs]. His marriage to Mrs. Goerz took place at Halstead on Dec. 30, 1900, and they had lived in Newton since that time.

The deceased was born at Summerfield, Ill., on April 18, 1876. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Krehbiel, were pioneer residents of the Halstead community.

Survivors include a son, Harold K. Goerz of Moundridge, a foster-daughter, Mrs. Elmer Garrison of Wichita; four brothers and one sister, a brother, Rev. C. E. Krehbiel, resides in Newton.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1947 Feb 11 p. 5

MRS. MARTHA MARY KREHBIEL GOERZ

Martha Mary Krehbiel Goerz, daughter of Rev. and mrs. Christian Krehbiel, was born April 18, 1876, at Summerfield, Illinois. She grew up on a farm adjoining Halstead, Kansas, where the parents had moved and established the family homestead in 1879. Her education was received in the public school and the Mennonite Preparatory school at Halstead and, at the State Teachers' College at Emporia.

She was baptized June 22, 1890, by her father, and became a member of the First Mennonite Church at Halstead.

During her early years she assisted with the Indian School that was conducted on the parental farm and later was of special assistance to her mother in the work of the Orphans' Home which developed after the Indian School was discontinued.

Her marriage to Rudolph A. Goerz occurred December 30, 1900, the couple establishing their home in Newton where they lived the rest of their lives. They became active and faithful members of the Bethel College Church. After many years in business, her husband preceded her in death July 10, 1945. During his long illness, she gave herself with unselfish devotion to the care of her husband and the needs of the home.

Her passing away Wednesday afternoon, January 29, after a severe heart attack in the early morning, was sudden and unexpected for up to that time she had been active and enjoyed reasonable health. She leaves to mourn her departure: a son, Harold Goerz, and his wife Maybelle and their daughter Guinevere, of Moundridge; a daughter, Frances, and her husband Elmer Garrison, and their daughter, Martha Lou, of Wichita; one sister, Mrs. Katherine A. Ewert of Madison, Connecticut; four brohters, Rev. C. E. Krehbiel, of Newton, Edward B. Krehbiel of New york City, Paul and Lucas Krehbiel of Halstead; and a host of friends in the church and community. Five older brothers and one sister preceded her in death, her brother Bernard having passed away only a little over a month ago. That she was fully prepared and reconciled to leaving this world is revealed in a few brief phrases she penned on a scrap of paper in the early morning before going to the hospital, as follows:

I turn to the Spirit within

Restored in Faith

Established in Peace

Her life was characterized by a deep devotion to Christ and the Church. Always interested in the missionary work of the church, she kept records of individual missionaries and their families on the various fields, abroad and at home. For a number of years she edited the "Missionary News and Notes,"a the publication of the Women's Missionary Society which she helped establish. her numerous activities included work for relief, for the Bethel Deaconess Hospital and Home for the Aged, and the Bethel College and the Bethel College Church.

She did what she could and bore her trials and troubles with Christian patience and fortitude, strong in the assurance that

"When He leads through some valley of trouble,

His omnipotent hand we trace,
For the trials and sorrows He sends us,

Are part of our lessons in grace."