Martha R. Doerksen
Married Name:
Martha R. Klaassen
Born: April 21, 1914
Place: Inman, Kansas
Died: July 10, 1977
Place: Goessel, Kansas
MOTHER:
Helena Regehr
FATHER:
Peter M. Doerksen
SIBLINGS:
Peter Doerksen (8/21/1893 - 8/27/1898)
Peter Doerksen (12/22/1899 - 5/17/1902)
Kathryn R. Doerksen
John R. Doerksen
Helen R. Doerksen
Peter R. Doerksen
Jacob R. Doerksen
Marie R. Doerksen
Martin R. Doerksen
SPOUSE:
Arnold D. Klaassen
Married: June 11, 1937
Place: Inman, Kansas
CHILDREN:
Donald Ray Klaassen
Marcia Diann Klaassen
BIOGRAPHY
Martha Klaassen was born April 21, 1914 near Inman, Kansas, the daughter of Peter M. and Helena (Regehr) Doerksen. She died July 10, 1977 in Bethel Hospital, Newton, Kansas at the age of 63 years.
She grew up on the farm near Inman. She attended the South Inman Grade School, and graduated from the Inman High School. She was baptized on her confession of faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Savior on July 3, 1932 and she became a member of the Bethel Mennonite Church near Inman.
South Inman Grade School
Martha is in the back row, 3rd girl from the right
She married Arnold D. Klaassen on June 11, 1937 in the Bethel Church. First they lived on a farm southwest of Inman until they bough a farm 2 miles west of Tabor Mennonite Church, which became their permanent home in 1941. They transferred their membership then to the Tabor Church. She remained a faithful member till her death.
The years were productive with hard work and good times. She worked at several places and at the same time she was a mother, wife and homemaker. She gained much satisfaction and pleasure among the people she worked with.
On January 21, 1977 it was diagnosed that she had a terminal illness of colon cancer that was incurable, which brought about her passing.
A verse, which she would wish us as remembrance is 2 Timothy 4:6-8. "For I am now ready to be offered and my time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing".
Martha is survived by her husband, Arnold, with whom she shared joy and sorrow for 40 years, her son Donald and his wife Ruth, and their children, Lisa, Suzanne and Brent in Wichita, her daughter, Marcia and her husband Norman Hiebert and their children Michael, Lonnie and Deena, living near by.
Her parents and one brother preceded her. Surviving are the following brothers and sisters, John Doerksen, Mrs. Curt (Kathryn) Franz, Mrs. Pete (Helen) Heidebrecht, Pete Doerksen, Mrs. Orlando (Marie) Strausz and Martin Doerksen.
The grandchildren were of great happiness to her. Also the neighbors and friends were of pleasure to her. We respect her memory as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, an excellent cook and homemaker. Although we feel the loss, we are happy in the blessed hope that she is at rest with the Lord.
Funeral services were held in the Tabor Church on July 12. Pastor James F. Schrag had as his text Romans 8:28-39. The song, "I know not why God's wondrous love, He hath made know", was sung by the funeral congregation. After the services at the cemetery there was a fellowship meal in the Fellowship Hall. The church was filled to capacity.
