The Passing of a Pioneer

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 249, 22 October 1935, Page 3

The Passing of a Pioneer

MRS. NOFFKE, OP HALCOMBE

After a brief illness, one of New Zealand’s pioneers passed to her eternal rest on October 17. Leaving Germany, the land of her birth, in April, 1876, tho deceased, after an eventful voyage lasting -some 16 weeks arrived in the country of her adoption by the sailer Fritz Reuter towards the eud of July, and, proceeding to Ilalcombe, where she resided until her death, reached her destination on August 4of the same year. It was hero that sho met her life’s partner, John Frederick Noffke, with whom she was joined in wedlock on February 6, 1880. This union was blessed by 11 children, five of whom predeceased her. Tho aged husband and six children (four sons and two daughters), 30 grand-children 11 great-grand-children, a brother and two sisters mourn their sad loss. Her mortal remains were laid to rest in tho Halcombe cemetery on October 19, a great number of relatives and friends from far and near attending the ceremony as a mark of the universal Tespect and esteem in which both she and her husband have always been held.

Mr. and Mrs. Noffke were settlers in tho true sense of the term. Purchasing a section shortly after they were married, they have been engaged in farming pursuits ever since. Their early days were a period of extremo hardship and privation, but with courage aud fortitude they faced the future together, Mrs. Noffke valiantly taking moro than a woman’s place at the side of her husband. It is interesting to recall that the Hon. R. J. Seddon once happened to see her working in tho vegetable garden with one of her babies in a crib beside her, and made use of this observation iu a speech he subsequently delivered.

Mr. .Noffke and family desiro to express their thanks and appreciation for all mesages of sympathy'and for floral tributes received iu their bereavement. Especially do they desire to thank Mrs. A. Sterne for her loving and untiring care of the deceased during her last and fatal illness.