Merk, Katie Krause (1887-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 May 6 p. 9

Birth date: 1887 Jun 4

text of obituary:

MRS. KATIE MERK

Our dear mother, Mrs. Katie Merk (nee Krause) was born near Burrton, Kansas June 4, 1887, the daughter of Cornelius and Anna Conrad Krause. She was the youngest of nine children.

She departed this life quietly and peacefully at 9:30 p.m. April 24, 1954, at Weatherford, Okla.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith in Christ by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff on March 26, 1905, and received into the fellowship of the Bergthal Mennonite church, near Corn, Okla.

She was united in marriage with Henry Merk April 20, 1905.

Although mother retained her church membership in the Bergthal church until the end, she received many spiritual blessings in the services of the First Methodist church of Weatherford which she attended as long as her physical condition permitted.

After our father’s death in February 1920 she was both father and mother to us. She always lived a perfect Christian example before us and was at all times concerned about our future well being and sacrificed much to give us an education. All through her life mother has chosen the bitter and given us the sweet. She often sang or hummed hymns as she worked. The two we heard most often were “Beautiful Words of Life” and “Jesus Saviour Pilot Me.”

Nearly six years ago when she was recovering from a broken hip, someone brought her a copy of the poem, “Hitherto He Helped.” We believe that there was never a day since that she has not read this poem. The author is unknown to us. She failed either to copy it or it was unknown to her. She always carried a copy of it in her purse; the number of copies she wore out we do not know, but they were many. Now she is home at rest.

She was extremely proud of all her grandchildren and when she bade farewell to her oldest grandson a few days before he left for Korea in the service of his country, she admonished him to remain faithful to the Christ of Calvary and also told him she did not expect to see him again in this world.

She has left us a rich heritage in Christian service. We mourn her departure deeply. She left a gap within our circle but our loss is heaven’s gain and some day we hope to meet her. Mother’s pains and sufferings are ended, she is home at last.

She leaves to mourn three daughters; Clara and her husband Ferd Neufeld of Burrton, Kansas, Freida of Enid, Okla., Esther and her husband Carrol Young of Weatherford, Okla.; one stepdaughter; one stepson; two granddaughters; two grandsons; 13 step grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Emil Hinz of Corn, Okla.; and other relatives and friends. One grandchild preceded her in death.

On her death bed she asked the children present to make their salvation sure in Christ Jesus. The last words her daughter heard her say were, with outstretched hands, “Jesus, there you are.” — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1954 May 18 p. 320