Hiebert, Nikolaus (Mrs.) Goerz (1869-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Dec 30 p. 8

Birth date: 1869 Aug 14

text of obituary:

MRS. N. J. HIEBERT

Mrs. N. J. Hiebert was born in Ober Nessau near Thorn, West, Prussia, Germany, Aug. 14,1869, and passed away Dec. 9, 1954. She reached the age of 85 years, three months and 25 days.

The life history of Mrs. Hiebert, as recorded by herself in the German language:

“Since I am the last of seven half brothers and sisters, and five brothers and sisters, I will briefly write to those left behind my life history. I was born 14th of August, 1869 in Ober Nessau near Thorn in West Prussia, Germany. My parents were Cornelius and Maria Goerz (nee Ewert). At the age of 15 I was baptized on the confession of my faith by Pastor David Dirks and received into the Nessau church.

“In 1886 my uncle, W. J. Ewert came for a visit to Germany. He stayed one year and then went back to the States and I went with him because several of my brothers and sisters were already in this country. Immediately upon arrival, I joined the Brudertal church in Hillsboro, Kansas. In 1890 I was united in holy matrimony with Nikolaus J. Hiebert. The Lord blessed us with 13 healthy children but He took two boys in their infancy to Himself.

“In 1912 we moved to Oklahoma. Here in the new settlement we had many hardships but also experienced many joyful moments which always brought us closer to the Lord, to Him be the honor. In 1940 we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary within the family circle because of the illness of my husband. All the children were present.

“Since five of our boys are in California and since the doctor of my husband suggested that he change climate, we made the trip to California. But the climate did not agree with him and he contracted pneumonia and died, and was buried in the beautiful Englewood Cemetery. I had to make the trip back alone.

“At the Mouttets, my oldest daughter, I have a comfortable home and can enjoy the closing days of my life. The Lord did all things well, to Him be all the praise. I as a child of God's grace wait for His call, “Come Home.”

The following prayer was found in her Bible. “Heavenly Father, grant me grace to pay real attention to Thy Word, to understand it, to keep it, and to follow in a godly walk. Let They Word help me to live eternally for Jesus sake. Amen.”

She leaves to cherish her memory five daughters and six sons: Bill, Azusa, Calif.; Ella (Mrs. Sol. Mouttet) and family, Chouteau, Okla.; Margarate [sic Margaretha] (Mrs. J. J. Siemens) and family, Corn, Okla.; Melinda (Mrs. John Bargen), husband and family, Ft. Smith, Ark.; Fritz, wife Marion and family, Van Nuys, Calif.; Arthur, wife Elizabeth and family, North Hollywood, Calif.; Bruno, wife Emma and family, Van Nuys, Calif.; Mary (Mrs. Ben J. Pankratz), husband and family, Inola , Okla.; Martha (Mrs. O. M. Funk), husband and family, Tahlequah, Okla.; Johnnie, wife Martha and family, Chouteau, Okla.; Edwin, wife Mary and family, Jefferson, Ohio. Left to mourn her passing are 33 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.

The two sons who preceded her in death were Oscar and David.

Funeral services were held at the Eden Mennonite church, Inola, on Sunday, Dec. 12, 1954, at 2:00 o'clock., Rev. Geo. Regier and Rev. Homer Sperling were the officiating ministers. The church male chorus sang “He the Pearly Gates will Open” and “O My Redeemer.” Six grandsons served as pall bearers. She was laid to rest in the Eden Mennonite church cemetery.