Othelia married Bernie Leon Vacura [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

OBITUARY OF CORNELIUS D. GOOSSEN

Cornelius D. Goossen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Franz M. Goossen, was born September 30, 1913, in Marion County, Kansas, near Hillsboro. When he was 22 years of age he made a stand for Christ and on June 9, 1935, was baptized upon his confession of faith by Rev. P. H. Unruh and joined the Alexanderwohl Church near Goessel.

On June 2, 1942, he was united in marriage to Miss Hulda Ella Franz. To this union eight children were born. He, with his wife, established their home on a farm in Marion County and lived there about four years. From there he, with his family, moved to Thomas County on a farm five miles south from Mingo. On July 28, 1946, he joined the Meadow Mennonite Church where he remained a member until his death.

Mr. Goossen loved his family and was deeply concerned about their spiritual welfare. In the year 1951 he joined up with the Gideon workers which was dear to his heart. This work, however, he was obliged to discontinue because of illness. It was about three years ago when Mr. Goossen became aware of some internal complication which later proved to be malignant. This condition slowly became worse with some
intermission. During this time he was admitted to the hospital at different times. But on October 10 his condition became more severe which made it necessary for him to be confined to the hospital.

On November 3 at 11:15 A.M. he went home to be with the Lord at the age of 46 years, one month and three days.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Franz M. Goossen and two brothers, William and Heinrich, preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Hulda; five sons and three daughters, Vernon Alvin, Simon Walter, Andrew James, Harold John, Othelia Susan, Timothy Allen, Arleta Louise and Erna Elaine; seven brothers, Frank of Oakley, John of Marion, Abraham of Colby, Alvin of Newton, Ferdinand of Hillsboro, Edward of Colby and Walter of Musgrove, Okla.; and two adopted sisters, Mrs. Walter Schmidt of Goessel and Mrs. Sam Ratzlaff of Warden, Washington; his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Franz; brothers and sisters-in-law, relatives and friends.

(Info from www.fmgoossenfamily.com)

Cornelius married Hulda Ella Franz. Hulda (daughter of Peter J. Franz and Anna U. Schmidt) was born on 6 Apr 1921 in Canton, McPherson County, Kansas; died on 16 Apr 2016 in Colby, Thomas County, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

OBITUARY - FRANZ M. GOOSSEN

Franz M. Goossen, 66, well known in the Mingo neighborhood passed away at his home in Marion County,
May 15, 1943. Funeral services were held at Goessel, Kansas, Tuesday, May 18, 1943.

He leaves five sons, all prosperous farmers of the Mingo community.

Our beloved husband and father was born to Mr. & Mrs. Franz H. Goossen, December 17, 1876, in Landskrone, South Russia. At the age of six months he left Russia with his parents and came to North America to make their home in Marion County, Kansas.

At the age of 19 he found himself in the need of the Saviour to bear his sins and was baptized upon the
confession of his faith by Rev. Jacob Buller on May 24, 1896, and received as a member into the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church of which he has remained a faithful member until his death.

On the twenty-fifth day of April in the year 1900 he joined hands with Susanna Duerksen, in holy matrimony and were blessed with ten sons and two adopted daughters, of whom one son, William, surpassed him in death. He lived in holy matrimony 43 years and 20 days.

He has been under a doctor's care since last September and became severely ill March 25 and finding it impossible to give him proper care at home he was taken to the Bethesda Hospital, at Goessel on April 28 where he was under good care until his death. The cause of his illness and death was heart trouble.

On Saturday morning, May 15 at 7:50 and at the age of 66 years, four months and 28 days, God called him to be at rest with Him.

He leaves to mourn, his beloved wife, nine sons, nine daughters-in-law, two adopted daughters, two sons-in-law, twenty-nine grandchildren, seven sisters, ten brothers-inlaw and innumerable relatives and friends. But we do not mourn as those without hope.

He was a great guide and aid in the spiritual as well as in the financial welfare of his children.

(Info from www.fmgoossenfamily.com)

Birth also: 06 DEC 1876

Vaderland Immigration Ship 29 Jun 1877 Philadelphia
29 jun 1877

Franz M. Goossen. Sohn von Franz H. Goossens wurde am 17. Dezember 1876 in Landskrone, Süd-Rußland, geboren. 1877 kam er mit nach Marion Co. Kansas. Bewußt , daß er einen Erlöser haben müsse wurde er auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubens am 24. Mai 1896 von Aeltester Jacob Buller getauft u. in die Alexanderwohl Mennoniten Gem. aufgenommen wo er auch ein treues Glied blieb. Am 28. April 1900 trat er mit Susanne Duerksen in den heiligen Ehestand. Es wurden ihnen 10 Söhne und zwei Pflegetöchter geschenkt. Ein sohn, Wilhelm, ging dem Vater im Tode voran. Seit September 1942 war der Abgerufene unter ärztlicher Behandlung. Am 25. Maerz 1943 wurde er an Herzleiden schwer krank, und wir brachten ihn am 28. April ins Bethesda Hospital, und am 15. Mai 1943 um 7:50 morgens rief der Herr ihn zu sich in die Ruhe im Alter von 66 J. 4. M. u. 28 Tagen. Er hinterläßt seinen Tod zu betrauern, seine geliebte Gattin, 9 Söhne, 9 Schwiegertöchter, zwei Pflegetöchter, 2 Schwiegersöhne, 29 Großkinder, 7 Schwestern, 10 Schwäger und viele Freunde. Wir trauern wohl aber nicht als solche, die keine Hoffnung haben. Vater war uns ein treuer Berater in unserm geistlichen wie im materiellen Wohlergehen.
(CBB 27 Jul 1943 p. 15)

Franz married Susanna B. Duerksen on 25 Apr 1900 (Civil) in Kansas. Susanna (daughter of Johann Duerksen and Aganetha Balzer) was born on 07 Apr 1876 in Gnadenthal, Molotschna; died on 05 Dec 1950 in Goessel, Marion County, Kansas; was buried on 9 Dec 1950 in Alexanderwohl Cemetery, Goessel, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

OBITUARY - SUSANNA DUERKSEN GOOSSEN

Funeral services for Mrs. Franz M. Goossen were held in the Bethesda Old Folks Home, December 9, 1950 in charge of Rev. Philip A. Wedel and also in the Alexanderwohl Church with Rev. Wedel and Rev.
Walter Regier in charge. Interment was in the church cemetery. The following 'In Memorandum was
prepared by the family:

Our dearly beloved mother, Susanna Duerksen Goossen, daughter of Johann and Agnetha Balzer Duerksen, was born May 5, 1876 in the village of Gnadenthal, Molotschna Colony, South Russia. She passed away December 5, 1950 in the Bethesda hospital at Goessel, Kansas, at the age of 74 years and 7 months.

In 1878 she emigrated with her parents, brothers and sisters to Marion County, Kansas. They settled
southwest of Hillsboro.

In May 1895 she was baptized upon confession of faith in her Redeemer Jesus Christ by elder Jacob Buller, and received into the fellowship of the Alexanderwohl Church,
whose faithful member she remained until her death.

She was united in marriage to Franz M. Goossen April 25, 1900, with whom she shared life's joys and sorrows for 43 years and 20 days. Death took her life's companion from her on May 15, 1943. To this union were born 10 sons. (One son William preceded his parents in death.)

In January 1926 our parents adopted two girls by the name of Anna and Hilda Hiebert which were her nieces children. Anna stayed in the home six years and Hilda 17 years, until each made their own home.

In the year 1925 it was their privilege to celebrate their Silver Anniversary which was to them a very great
mile stone in their life.

Mother led a Christian life and directed her children to the Lord Jesus Christ from their very infancy. Often at the break of day she would pray and sing untiringly Christian hymns.

For two years after the death of the father she remained with one of the sons on the home place. Then
she transferred to Thomas County where she made her home with another one of her sons. She loved to make frequent visits to the homes of her children. In July 1948
mother had to be taken to the Colby hospital because of a heart ailment. From this she partially recovered.
But because of declining health she was re admitted into the hospital at different times.

When her health was sufficiently restored she was accepted at the Mission Home at Hillsboro, where she
resided for about 4 months; later she transferred to the Bethesda Home at Goessel, where she remained until her death. Both institutions proved to be a great blessing to her, where she received all the necessary care kindness and comfort.

She suffered a stroke November 27, 1950 and was taken to the Bethesda hospital where she lingered for nine days. During this time when conscious she would enjoy the prayers and songs that were given for her. Although her power of speech was limited, yet she could express at times her appreciation for everything done for her.
She also expressed the longing to go home. This wish was granted her as the spirit left this house of clay to be forever with the Lord.

Her life was also one that was intermingled with joys and sorrows. The death angel took away one of her sons, and then later the husband and father. However the promises of God "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us -- and we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purposes."

Mother leaves to mourn her departure nine sons, ten daughters-in-law, two adopted daughters and their
families. They are:
Frank and Anna Goossen and children, Oakley; John and Florentine Goossen and children, Marion;
Abraham and Susie Goossen and children, Colby; Alvin and Bertha Goossen and children, Colby; Ferdinand and Agnes Goossen and children, Hillsboro;
Edward and Rachel Goossen and children, Colby; Henry and Martha Goossen and children. Colby;
Cornelius and Hulda Goossen and children, Oakley; Walter and Ethel Goossen and children, Hotevilla, Arizona; Mrs. Peter Schmidt, husband and children, Canton, Kansas; one brother, David D Duerksen, Canton, 40 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

(Info by www.fmgoossenfamily.com)

Ministries

From the prayers of Grandma Goossen…. “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16b

Can the prayers of one person who lived a hundred years ago still have an impact on the lives of people today”?

As the story goes, Grandma Susanna Goossen was a real prayer warrior. She had a great desire that one of her children would be in full-time service to the Lord, and she prayed for that. She also prayed that her family would be burdened for the lost and be involved in world missions.

That prayer was answered when in 1944, her youngest son, Walter D. Goossen, began serving the Lord as a missionary with the upstart ministry, The “Go Ye” Mission, headquartered in Tahlequah, OK. Walter served for the Lord until his death in 1999 at the age pf 83. Walter and his wife, Ethel, served the Lord faithfully all of their married life, which spanned more than five decades.

In his early years, Walter taught Vacation Bible School in the communities around Tahlequah with the “Go Ye” Mission. Later they worked with the Hopi Indians in Arizona. Then, Walter served as pastor at churches in Gotebo, Muskogee, Norwood, and Stillwater, Oklahoma as well as churches in Kiowa and Augusta, Kansas.

Wherever he went, Walter carried the Word of God with him. One lady made the comment that when he walked with his Bible, he always carried it over his heart. God was near and dear to him. His belief in God was not fake or shallow – but he lived every bit of what he preached.

In and between various full-time ministries, Walter served in churches teaching Sunday School, on church boards both as a deacon and an elder, filling the pulpit, and holding Bible studies. His love in serving the Lord was knocking on doors, or meeting people at the Lake Keystone where he lived, and sharing Jesus Christ with them.

In his “retirement” years, Walter once again served under the “Go Ye” Mission working in the Prison Ministry. He went faithfully every week to the Muskogee County and Tahlequah City Jails to share the Gospel of Christ with the inmates. Some loved to see him come. They knew he would share the truth from the Word of God. They didn’t always like the way he held them accountable for their actions, but they respected and loved him. He missed going to jail on his last day on this earth because he wasn’t feeling well. Afterwards, jailers asked, “Where is that old guy who walks funny and talks with that thick accent?” His is missed by all who knew him, but not forgotten.

Grandma Goossen’s prayer was partially answered in her son, Walter. Some of her boys had ministries as well, serving in the Gideons. But her prayer that her family would be burdened for the lost and involved in world missions was also answered. As of this writing, there are or have been a total of 25 descendants of Susanna Goossen serving in more than 10 countries around the world in all types of ministries.

(Info from www.fmgoossenfamily.com)

Peter married Anna U. Schmidt. Anna was born in 1884; died in 1967. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Franz married Maria V.W. Unruh on 23 Dec 1875 (Civil) in Kansas, USA. Maria (daughter of Wilhelm Samuel Unruh and Eva Voth) was born on 20 Jul 1855 in Gnadenfeld, Molotschna; died on 11 Sep 1926 in Hillsboro, Kansas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Johann married Aganetha Balzer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]