The Funeral of Anna Bucher [June 22, 1885 - December 29, 1984]
Rochelle, Illinois
December 31, 1984
THE PRELUDE
THE WORD OF COMFORT: "The Eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." THE WORDS OF
HOPE AND VICTORY: I Peter 1:3-9 Ephesians 2:4-5ab, 8-9 Romans 5:1-2,6-11; 8:1,14-17a,18,28,31b,35,
37-39

THE LIFE-SKETCH AND TRIBUTE:

Anna, one of the nine children of George and Hilke Groen, was born on June 22, 1888 in Germany. In early childhood, she traveled the Atlantic Ocean with her parents and her brothers and sisters of that time from their German homeland to their new American homeland. Her parents chose to settle in the White Rock Center community north of Kings in Ogle County, Illinois where the entire family shared in the farming responsibilities. Much of that which is done today by great machines was then done by hand. One of Anna's most vivid memories was that of picking corn by hand in cold weather and making many piles of the pick ears, piles later to be picked up and loaded onto a horse-drawn wagon.

She was reared in an atmosphere of Christian faith enhanced by the ministry of the Elim Reformed church near her home.

In her youth she married George F. Cook and to them were born two sons, Roy and Raymond. there were deep disappointments in her marriage; and after several years, she found it necessary to fend for herself and support her growing boys.

Upon the death of a sister in Rochelle, she took her sons with her to keep house for her breaved brother-in-law and his two children; and here she
supplemented her income by taking in laundries.

She provided for her sons, keeping them in school, and going with them to the Methodist Church in Rochelle.

On August 6, 1919, at Morrison, she married Lewis Jacob Bucher; and they established their home in Franklin Grove initially. To them were born three sons, Lloyd, Lewis and Harold. Work assignments later prompted them to live of short periods in Nelson and in Rochelle and then during World War II to move to Ashton where they lived together until the death of husband Lewis in June 1956.

Here Anna and her son Harold continued to make their home together, deeply concerned about the welfare of one another and sharing many simple
pleasures, most notably going out together to set and check Harold's traps for wild life I the surrounding areas.

Anna had no concern about "this world's goods". She could be happy with little or nothing.

She trusted God and was not hesitant to affirm his goodness and his love. She talked about God to her family and her friends. She talked with God.
She knew the reality of prayer.

She felt little need for doctors or for medicines. If she had pain, she would tell God about it and trust Him to take away the pain at the right
time. This patient trust in God was demonstrated to the very end during her last months of illness and weakness, and now at the right time God, in His wisdom and mercy ha relieved her of her infirmity. With God, there is healing in death. There is renewed wholeness, for death opens the way to
life beyond life.

Anna appreciated her neighbors and was more prone to exchange cookies than to exchange gossip with them. If she were aware of someone's need and felt she could do something about it, she would. Washing, mending, and ironing some use clothing and getting it to the children who needed it was typical of Anna's concern and readiness to help.

Her home and her children were her life. Sons, Raymond, Lloyd, and Lewis, preceded her in death in the course of these last eighteen-plus years. sons Ro and Harold, remain to salute her life, as do also her sixteen grandchildren, a corps of great grandchildren, and several nieces and
nephews who have looked to her, their last surviving aunt.

To reflect upon her life is to recall these words of Scripture:

"A good women who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.......
She rises whole it is yet night and provides food for her household.....
With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong....
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are
clothed in scarlet....
Strength and dignity are her clothing.....
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and teaches of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of
idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all".....
A women who fears the Lord is to be praised."
[Proverbs 31:10-13,15ab,16b-17,19-21,25a,26-29, and 30]

THE MESSAGE

THE PRAYER

THE BENEDICTION

THE POSTLUDE

Meene Dirks Groen

OBIT: We bring to all friends and acquaintances the sad news that it has pleased the Lord over life and death to call our dear son and brother, Meene Gerhards Groen, by sudden death into eternity. He and his brother were busy with the horses, which suddenly bolted, this caused him to be thrown from the wagon and resulted in a broken neck. He was dead on the very place he fell. The deceased was born at Moorhusen, Kreis Aurich, Ostfriesland, he reached a age of 11 years, 11 months and 5 days.
The sorrowing survivors.
Gerhard Groen and wife and children.
White Rock, Ogle Co., Illinois

OBIT: SOURCE: "Ostfriesische Nachrichten" published in Breda, Iowa by the Pastor L. Hundling from 1882 to the time of his death and then by others until the 1950's. Translated by the Rev. Kenneth H. De Wall of Bethalto, Illinois

Geertje Groen Jacobs

OBIT: Mrs. Avery Jacobs died at her home on North Main St., Rochelle, Sunday evening, April 30, after a short illness with appendicitis. The funeral was held Wednesday noon from the family home, Rev. Mundhenke, of White Rock Center, officiating. Interment took place at the White Rock Cemetery. Miss Gertie Groen was born in Germany March 18, 1884, and was 27 years, 1 month and 12 days old when the final summons came. She came to America with her parents at the age of five, settling near Kings. On July 2, 1903, she was united in marriage to Avery Jacobs, and Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs resided on a farm north of Rochelle until about four years ago, when they moved to this city. Besides her parents and husband she leaves two children, John and Ella, aged 7 and 4. She also leaves to mourn her loss, five brothers and two sisters. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the sorrow stricken family.

Card of Thanks.
The undersigned desires to publicly thank the friends and neighbors for their kind assistance during the illness, death and funeral of his wife,
also for the many beautiful floral offerings. Avery Jacobs

Hilke Gerhardine Jacobs

OBIT: At an early hour Sunday, occurred the death of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Avery Jacobs, residing near Kings. The little one had been ailing only a few days, and its demise has cast a pall of sadness over the home. The funeral services were held Tuesday, interment taken place at the White Rock Cemetery.

Card of Thanks
Mr. and Mrs. Avery Jacobs desire to thank the neighbors and friends who assisted them, and by their acts of kindness and words of sympathy did all
in their power to console them in their late bereavement, caused by the death of their little daughter.

Geertje Groen Jacobs

OBIT: It has pleased God according to his wise-will to call my dear wife, Gertje Everts [Groen], suddenly back into Eternity. She was born on March 18, 1884 at Marienhafe, Ostfriesland. She was brought by her parents to this country in 1889. In 1903 she entered into marriage with Evert Jacobs. She was the mother of three children, one of whom preceded the mother in death. She died from appendicitis, after severe suffering, on the evening of April 30. She was buried with many in attendance on May 3 in the White Rock Cemetery Pastor W. R. Mundhenke preached the funeral sermon.
She was 27 years, 1 month, and 12 days old at the time of her death. She leaves behind her deeply saddened husband, children, 5 brothers, 2 sisters,
all of whom mourn her early passing. Evert Jacobs and children Gerhard Groen and wife and all the other relatives.
Rochelle, Illinois

OBIT: SOURCE: "Ostfriesische Nachrichten" published in Breda, Iowa by the Pastor L. Hundling from 1882 to the time of his death and then by others until the 1950's. Translated by the Rev. Kenneth H. De Wall of Bethalto, Illinois

GOD'S WAYS ARE DIFFERENT THAN OUR WAYS

MEENE GROEN

Son of Gerhard and Hilke Groen, was born on February 13, 1895 and was baptized on May 5, 1895 in Elim Reformed Church.

In the year 1917, he was drafted in the Army and was sent to France. The 24th of October 1918, he died in the hospital due to gas poisoning. He was
buried on foreign soil.

In February 1921, his parents expressed their wishes to have his body brought home and on the 25th, with a large attendance, he was buried with
military honors.

He now rests in the family plot in the White Rock Cemetery. He reached the age of 23 years, 8 months, and 11 days. He is mourned by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.

The sad day when you left us has returned again. The pain is bearing down on us and the tears are flowing again. It has been two years since you left
us, but not the parting pain....it is still with us. Many tears have been cried since death stopped your heart. Like lightning, your death struck us.
In full bloom you had to leave us. The pain is so deep that we still cannot believe it.

In the name of the family,
F. H., Kroesche
Minister

Gerhard Dirks Groen

OBIT: River Yields Body of Clammer After 8 Days

The body of George Groen, 48, 3121 River Blvd., who drowned July 1 when his clamming boat overturned and sank in Rock River near the sanitary
district plant south of Rockford, was recovered by the deputy sheriffs Sunday after it had been sighted by Julius Henry at 6:50 a.m. three miles
south of Camp Grant near the Cedarquist farm, on which Henry resides. Coroner David L. Klontz took charge of the body, which later was removed
to Unger funeral home at Rochelle. Weighted down by an outboard motor, the clamming boat sank immediately. E. F. Elmore, 43, 509 Sargent Street, who was in the boat with Groen, swam to a small island, from which he was rescued by deputy sheriffs. E. Swanberg, residing near the scene, witnessed the tragedy and assisted in the rescue of Elmore. Funeral services were held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the White Rock Elim Reformed Church in Ogle county near Rochelle with the Rev. John Ailts, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Arrangements were
completed at the Unger Funeral Home, Rochelle. A native of Rochelle, Groen was born May 20, 1897. Surviving are two daughters, Miss Edna Groen and Mrs. Viola Meyer, both of Rockford, and two brothers, Dick, Rochelle, and Fred, White Rock Township. Following the death 15 years ago of his first wife, Dora Nottelmann, mother of his two children, he was remarried.

OBIT: Note: Also surviving but not listed in the above notice were a sister Antje [Annie]Bucher of Ashton and another brother Warner [Warnie] Dirks Groen of Davis Junction.Antje Groen Bucher

Submitted by Gail Meyer Kilgore

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