Willems, Peter D. (1883-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Apr 30 p. 3

Birth date: 1882 Jun 27

text of obituary:

RETIRED FARMER, FATHER OF MISSIONARIES, DIES AT HILLSBORO

Hillsboro, Kan. — Peter D. Willems, 76, who farmed in the Corn, Okla. community for many years, died at his home near here on April 21. Funeral services were held April 25 at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.

Surviving are his wife and six children, Katherine and Martha, missionaries in Africa, and Anna, Marie, Arnold and Lydia of the home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 May 7 p. 8

text of obituary:

PETER D. WILLEMS

Peter D. Willems was born on June 27, 1882, to Jacob K. and Katherina Dick Willems on a farm northwest of Buhler, Kansas. Here he grew up, attending school to the fourth grade. Later he had the privilege of attending the German Bible School under the instruction of Rev. J. F. Duerksen.

Although physically not very strong, father enjoyed better health in later years. In 1937 he lost his left hand through an accident. In 1945 his eyesight began to fail, but through medical help and surgery this condition was arrested so that he did not become blind. In 1948 he had a stroke, but here covered and was able to enjoy good health until 1954 when he again had a light stroke. Since then he had been in failing health.

Early in his youth father realized his lost condition and at the age of 15 he found peace and forgiveness through the Scripture portion, Psalm 103:2, 3,4. On August 22, 1897, he was baptized by Elder Jacob Klassen and accepted as a member of the Zoar K. M. B. church at Inman. Being the youngest son of his parents and his father being blind, he often read his father's favorite Psalms to him and thus memorized many portions of scripture. This proved to be an asset to our father's many years of Sunday school teaching and Christian work he also served on the board of director's of church bible schools and academies.

On Oct. 4, 1906, father entered holy matrimony with Lena Block. Two daughters, Katherine and Maria, were born to this union. Maria died in infancy with her mother in March, 1909. On Sept. 1, 1909, he entered holy matrimony with Maria Ens. Four daughters and two sons were born to this union, of which one son, Andrew, died at seven months of age. On the coming Sept. 1 we would have had 50 years together.

Until 1922 we lived in the Buhler and Inman community. Then we moved to Corn, Okla. and became members of the M. B. church there. We lived there until 1947 when we moved to Hillsboro on a farm. Here he has been a faithful member of the Hillsboro M. B. Church.

Throughout his life father demonstrated the importance of being in close relationship with God. Spiritual things were uppermost in his mind and life. He felt deeply humbled, but thankful, that God called two daughters into foreign mission work.

On Sunday, April 12, father fell in the home. Not being able to sleep the following night, he was heard to pray his last prayer. He then went into a coma from which he regained consciousness for only short periods of time. Tuesday evening, April 21, 1959, at 7:35, he calmly and quietly passed to his eternal rest.

His parents, his first wife, two children, two sisters, and six brothers preceded him in death. Those who mourn his departure are his wife, Maria Willems; five daughters and one son, Kathryn of Kafumba, Belgian Congo, Anna, Marie and Arnold, all of Hillsboro, Martha of Kipungu, Belgian congo, Lydia of Hillsboro; one sister, Mrs. Maria Friesen of Inman, Kansas; seven brothers-in-law, nine sisters-in-law, and a host of relatives and friends. — The P D. Willems Family.