Goerzen, Jakob Heinrich (1888-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary 1976 Dec 10 p. 32

Birth date: 1888 Oct 02

text of obituary:

JAKOB HEINRICH GOERZEN

Jakob Heinrich Goerzen of Clearbrook, B.C. was born in the village of Neuhalbstadt on October 2, 1888, in the German settlement of Sagradovka in southern Russia. On November 11, after a short illness, he died in the MSA Hospital in Abbotsford, B.C. September 17 had been the semi-centenary of his emigration to Canada.

In 1913 he married Margaretha Warkentin, daughter of Johann Warkentin, the village minister in Schoenau. After their marriage they were baptized on their faith and were received into the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1926 they emigrated to Canada, later farming in the area of Tofield and Ryley, Alta. After joining the Mennonite Brethren Church there, he was ordained a deacon, serving in that capacity for many years. They retired to a small farm in the Arnold district of B.C. in 1953. After sharing more than 53 years, his wife died in 1966. Two years later Mr. Goerzen married Justina Sawatsky with whom he lived the last eight years of his life,

He leaves to mourn his wife Justina; four sons and three daughters, John of Abbots· ford, B.C., J. W. and Henry of Edmonton and district; Peter of Winnipeg, Margaret (Mrs. Dave) Martens of Clearbrook, B.C .; Justine (Mrs. D. S.) Wemp of Calgary, Katherine (Mrs. J. J.) Goertzen of Edmonton; along with 30 grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.