Goetz, John (1881-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Mar 10 p. 30

Birth date: 1881 Nov 11

text of obituary:

JOHN GOETZ

John Goetz, son of John and Helena (nee Janzen) Goetz, was born on November 11, 1881 in Fuerstenwerder, southern Russia. There he spent his childhood and youth and received his formal education. He was the oldest son of a family of four sons and four daughters. At the age of 22 he recognized his lost condition and received Christ as his personal Saviour. He was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church. In his youth he worked on his father's farm and later as a carpenter. He married Aganetha · Thiessen in 1914, a union which too was blessed with four sons and four daughters. One daughter died in infancy.

He was conscripted as a carpenter by the Russian government in 1915 and lived through the turbulent years of Revolution, counter revolution and confiscation of property, In 1926 he left Russia with his family, immigrating to Canada, and following his sister and one brother, George, who had already come to this country. He farmed near Dalmeny for three years, after coming there in 1927, and then moved on to land near Mennon, where he farmed until retiring in 1953.

He lived a consistent Christian life before his family and in the community. He had deep inner peace and contentment and gladly served in the church, especially as Sunday school teacher, He enjoyed excellent health until his retirement. On February 15 he passed away in his sleep, having attained an age of 90 years. His wife had predeceased him in 1966. He leaves to mourn his passing three married daughters and their husbands, four married sons and their wives, 22 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; one sister, Sarah Thiessen of Abbotsford, B.C. and one brother, George of Clearbrook, B.C.