| 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)
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1876 - 1950 (74 years)
