Goossen, Gerhard A. (1876-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Apr 22 p. 10

Birth date: 1876 Sep 2

text of obituary:

LONG-TIME WEATHER OBSERVER PIONEER SETTLER DIES

Corn, Okla. — Funeral services for G. A. Goossen, 88, one of the pioneer Mennonite settlers of western Oklahoma, were held at th Corn M. B. Church on April 10.

For many years Mr. Goossen had served as the weather observer for this community. He came to this country from South Russia in 1903, pioneered in the Hooker, Okla. area, and had lived in the Corn vicinity since 1913.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 May 13 p. 11

text of obituary:

G. A. GOOSSEN

Gerhard A. Goossen, son of Abraham and Maria Reimer Goossen, was born in Sept. 2, 1878 in South Russia, and reached the age of 88 years, seven months and four days.

When he was three years old his father was taken from the family through death. A year later he received a step-father. He remained at home until the age of 25. Here he received his early training. Father spent one year as a harness sewer in South Russia.

On May 30, 1903, he came to the United States, first settling for a short time in Marion County, Kan. He soon came to the Corn, Okla. community, where for the next few years he worked as a day laborer.

On May 7, 1905 he was united in marriage with Helena Franz in McPherson County, Kan. This union was blessed with one daughter and one son.

Soon after our marriage we moved to Hooker, Okla. Here we spent eight years living under pioneer condition. In 1913 we moved to the Corn, Okla. community where father spent the rest of his days.

As a young man father realized his lost condition and accepted Christ as his Saviour. He was baptized on Feb. 4, 1901 and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church in South Russia. In 1913 when we moved to Corn, father was received into the fellowship of the Corn M. B. Church, where he remained a faithful member until his death.

In 1940 we retired from the farm and moved to Corn. In 1955 we came to live at thee Corn Home for the Aged. Father was always willing to help where he could and even after coming to the Home he would carry mail and do other errands for the residents in the Home. He also kept weather records for the community.

Father enjoyed good health all his life until April 6, 1965, when he suffered a heart attack and was taken suddenly into the presence of his Saviour.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Helena; one daughter, Anna, Mrs. Frank Kliewer, and one son, George, both of Corn; one daughter-in-law, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, four sisters-in-law, five brothers-in-law and a host of relatives and friends.

We mourn his sudden departure but not as those who have no hope, for we know we will meet again in Glory. — The Family.