Rogalsky, Henry David (1900-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 24 p. 8

Birth date: 1900 Nov 2

text of obituary:

HENRY DAVID ROGALSKY

Henry David Rogalsky of Reedley, Calif., son of David and Helen Ewert Rogalsky, was born Nov. 2, 1900 in South Russia.

He attended the elementary schools. When he was 19 years old he confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior, was baptized on Pentecost and received into the membership of the Mennonite church by Elder Cornelius Harder.

The same minister officiated where he exchanged wedding vows with Anna Block on Nov. 9, 1924. This union of 35 years was blessed with nine healthy children.

When the situation in Russia became more threatening, Mr. and Mrs. Rogalsky and their three oldest children with 56 others escaped Russia on the night of March 8, 1929, going across the Amur River into China. Three weeks later the fourth child, Mary, was born.

They finally came to Reedley Calif. in April of 1930. They joined the First Mennonite Church of Reedley that fall. Their five sons were all born in the United States. This short paragraph tells nothing of the anxiety, danger and threat experienced from the time they left Russia and came to the United States. For the miraculous escape and protection God received credit.

Since their arrival in this country came at a time of economic depression, their first years were years of difficult struggles. However, Mr. Rogalsky had a gift of working with his family and developed a family spirit that shall be cherished by the family and serve as an example to others. He was a quiet, hard-working farmer. He was faithful to Jesus Christ and the Church. He could be counted on.

Six years ago he developed a heart condition which hindered his work but he was able to keep up the ranch, which they had purchased in 1943, in spite of it. On Feb. 1, 1960 he suffered a stroke. He soon regained strength and was seemingly makeing [sic] good progress toward recovery, when he suffered a set back the 5th of March. He was taken to the hospital on the 10th and the following morning, March 11, 1960, he passed on to his eternal home. He was 59 years old.

He is the first to leave his family circle. His bereaved family, who have cherished his life are, his wife Anna; four daughters, Katherine, Mrs. Hubert Sylvester of Visalia, Calif., Helen, Mrs. Alvin Pauls of Reedley, Anna, Mrs. Warren Simon of Bakersfield, Calif., Mary, Mrs. Alvin Nickel of Hayward, Calif.; five sons, Henry of San Jose, Calif., Frank, John, Pete and Nick, all of Reedley; 18 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Katerine [sic Katharina] Toews, and one half-sister, Mrs. Agnes Boldt, both of Russia. Besides those there are many relatives and a host of friends.

Funefal services were held in the First Mennonite church of Reedley on March 14, at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Aaron J. Epp officiated.

The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Apr 5 p. 221