Schroeder, Maria Duerksen (1886-1945)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1946 Feb 26 p. 15

Birth date: 1886 Jul 11

text of obituary:

Frau Maria Schroeder, Geb. Duerksen, ward am 11. Juli 1886 nahe Hillsboro, Kansas geboren und am 11. Juli von Aelt. Peter Balzer getauft und in die Alexanderwohl Gemeinde aufgenommen. Am 2. Febr. 1918 heiratete sie Peter J. Schroeder und übernahm dadurch Mutterstelle on 4 Kindern, die sie in Liebe freudig pflegte; 2 derselben gingen ihr im Tode voran. Ihrer eigenen Ehe entsprossen 8 Kinder von denen 6 im zarten Kindesalter starben. Die Heimgerufene war den Kindern in Liebe, Treue und Aufrichtigkeit stets ein Vorbild. In ihren Trübsalen hielt sie sich fest an Gott und war getrost in ihrem Erlöser. Wegen Umzugs war sie Glied in verschiedenen Mennonitengemeinden, nämlich in Hydro, Montana, dann bei Deer Park, Wash. und dann zuletzt in Newport, Wash., wo sie sanft im Herrn entschlief am 30. Dez. 1945 im Alter von 59 J. 5 M. und 19 Tagen, nachdem sie fast 28 Jahre im Ehestand gelebt. Ihren frühen Tod betrauern, nebst Gatten, die Kinder: Margaret, Frau Peter Peters u. Familie, Richland, Montana; Arnold und Familie Chinook, Mont., Maria, Frau John Wiebe u. Familie, Bellingham, Wash.; Katharina, Frau Frank Fast u. Familie, Dallas, Oregon; die Mutter in Goessel, Kans. Altenheim; 4 Schwestern: Sarah, Frau P. J. Quiring; Agnes, Frau P. L. Schmidt; Katharina, Frau David A. Harms, Anna, Frau Albert Schmidt; und 4 Brüder: Pred. John R. Duerksen, Newton, Kan.; Missionar Jacob R. Duerksen in Indien (der auf dem Begräbnis durch die Missionare P. A. Penners und Frau P. J. Wiens vertreten war); Abraham in Hillsboro, Kans.; und George Duerksen, Henderson, Nebr.: und viele Freunde. Die erste Leichenfeier fand in der Newport, Wash. Mennonitenkirche statt, geleitet von Pred. P. D. Unruh. Die Leiche wurde dann nach dem Geburtsort in Kansas gebracht. Hier fand die Feier in Goessel im Bergen Funeral Home statt, wo Pred. C. C. Wedel leitete; dann in der Alexanderwohl Kirche und dem Friedhof unter der Leitung von Aelt. Phil. A. Wedel unterstützt von Missionar P. A. Penner und Pred. J. M. Janzen einem Schwager der Verstorbenen. “Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Heern sterben. . .”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Jan 10 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. P. J. Schroeder, Deer Park, Washington, were held at the Alexanderwohl church on Tuesday afternoon, January 8. Mrs. Schroeder passed away on Sunday, December 30, 1945, at 7:45. She had been in failing health during the last years. Immediately after Christmas she was believed to have been sick of the flu. The doctor was consulted but did not think her seriously ill, however only four and one half hours elapsed until she passed into the Great Beyond. On January 3 funeral services were held at Newport, Washington, where the Schroeder children could also attend. Because all the relatives from both sides and her aged mother, are living here in Kansas she was brought here for burial. Short services were conducted at the funeral home in Goessel.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Jan 24 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. MARIA SCHROEDER

Mrs. Maria Schroeder, daughter of John J. and Maria Duerksen, was born July 11, 1886, near Hillsboro, Kansas. On June 11, 1905, she was baptized by Elder Peter Balzer and received into the Alexanderwohl church. On February 2, 1918, she joined Peter J. Schroeder in matrimony and at the same time became the loving mother to his four children, of whom two preceded her in death.

She herself became mother of eight children, of whom six died in tender infancy. Also two of her 21 grandchildren preceded her in death. She will continue to be our example in love, honesty, and faithfulness. We will miss her in every respect. In her many trials she never lost faith in the goodness of God. She departed in peace, quietly but unexpectedly, and is at Home with her Saviour. This is our joyous hope.

Because of circumstances she has been a member of different Mennonite churches. She transferred her membership from Alexanderwohl to Hydro, Montana. When the family moved to Deer Park, Washington, the group there organized and later was dissolved; so for the last two she was a member of the Newport (Washington) Mennonite church.

She reached the age of 59 years, 5 months and 19 days. Relatives surviving are her husband, Peter J. Schroeder, and the following children: Margaret (Mrs. Peter Peters, Richland, Montana); Arnold, Chinook Montana; Maria (Mrs. John Wiebe, Bellingham, Washington); Katherine (Mrs. Frank Fast, Dallas, Oregon; 19 grandchildren, her aged mother in the Home for the Aged, Goessel, Kansas, and four sisters: Sarah, Mrs. P. F. Quiring; Agnes, Mrs. P. L. Schmidt; Katherine, Mrs. David Harms; Annie, Mrs. Albert Schmidt. Also four brothers: John R. Duerksen, Newton; Jacob R. Duerksen, missionary in India, Abraham R. Duerksen, Hillsboro; and George R. Duerksen, Hendersen, Nebraska. All these with many other relatives and friends mourn her sudden departure.

She passed away at 7:45 P.M. December 30, 1945. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” Their bodies shall be changed at His coming for His own.

Funeral services were held at Newport, Washington, on January 3, and at the Alexanderwohl church, Goessel, Kansas, on January 8, 1946.

The pastor of the Newport church, Rev. P. D. Unruh, had charge of the funeral services at the Mennonite church there and Rev. C. C. Wedel conducted the funeral service at the Bergen Funeral Home at Goessel, while Rev. Phil A. Wedel was in charge at the Alexanderwohl church. He was assisted by Rev. P. A. Penner and Rev. J. M. Janzen.

Since Rev. Jacob R. Duerksen of India could not be present at the funeral of his sister, Rev. and Mrs. P. A. Penner and Mrs. P. J. Wiens, senior missionaries from India, represented him and his family at the funeral.