Obit from Messenger of Truth Issue 25, 2000:
Gertrude Holdeman Boeckner was born to Conrad and Serepta Ferguson Holdeman on August 5, 1906, near Hesston, Kansas. She peacefully fell asleep at the Moundridge Manor, Moundridge, Kansas, on November 10, 2000, reaching the age of ninety-four years.
Mother spent her childhood years in the Hesston, Kansas, community. She gave her heart to the Lord at the age of fourteen years. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith on May 25, 1920, by Min. F. C. Fricke, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. She remained faithful to her vows and this faith to her end.
On July 26, 1925, she was united in marriage to our father, Aaron Y. Boeckner, at Hesston, Kansas. To this union, four sons and ten daughters were born.
Mother's Christian life was precious to her. She often encouraged us as a family to be faithful, and she was a devoted wife and mother in the home. She loved singing and reading in her Bible. She especially enjoyed sending cards and letters to her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and many friends. Her loss of sight was a burden to her, but she crocheted many gift items and scarves for the needy until the last months of her life.
Because of failing eyesight, she entered the Moundridge Manor, Moundridge, Kansas, on October 1, 1991.
Those left to cherish fond memories are her children: Anita and Clifford Penner, Uniontown, Alabama; Leona and Kenneth Dyck, Newton, Kansas; Lela and Kenneth Litwiller, Barron, Wisconsin; Mae and Chester Johnson, DeRidder, Louisiana; Vada and Harold Schmidt, Newbern, Alabama; Blanche and Newell Eicher, Newbern, Alabama; Gerald and Thelma, Walnut Hill, Florida; JoAnn and Andy Powell, DeRidder, Louisiana; Weldon and Lois, Moundridge, Kansas; Rose and Paul Toews, St. Mary's, Ontario; Lois and Fred Decker, Haiti; and Dennis and Eileen, Farwell, Texas; one sister-in-law, Leorna Holdeman, Louisville, Georgia; a great-nephew, William Brandt, who in his youth spent summers in our parents' home; sixty-eight grandchildren, 201 great-grandchildren; twelve great-great grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one son, one infant daughter, her parents, one daughter-in-law, two grandsons, five brothers, and six sisters.
Funeral services were held at the Meridian Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Hesston, Kansas, on November 10, 2000. Ministers Franklin Wenger, Shawn Giesel, and Chester Esau officiated. Burial was in the nearby Meridian church cemetery.
