Deacons of Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church were pallbearers when Rev. David Friesen assisted by Rev. Peter Loewen and Rev. Frank Friesen, officiated at the funeral service for Gerhard J. Derksen, 42153 Central Rd., Yarrow BC. He died December 20, 1965 in Chilliwack General Hospital and the funeral took place December 22, 1965 in the Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church. Interment was in Yarrow Cemetery. Pallbearers were deacons: Jake Martens, Nick Boschman, John Unger, John Kroeker, John Koehn, and John Derksen.


Mr. Derksen was born March 7, 1879 in Saribasch, Crimea, South Russia to Jakob & Anna (Janzen) Duerksen. He was baptized May 26, 1899 at Ruekenau, Molotschna, South Russia. Gerhard married Katharina Goossen on September 6, 1908 at Alexanderthal, Molotschna, South Russia. They immigrated to Canada October 28, 1925 and had lived in Yarrow for 35 years.

A retired farmer, he was a former member of the Mennonite Board of Colonization.

He is survived by one daughter, Miss Annie Derksen, Yarrow; one son Jacob G. Yarrow; four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He was predeceased by his wife Tina in 1945 and one sister and seven brothers.