Mary Lou Goertzen
Encyclopedia
Mary Lou Goertzen is an American artist, peace activist and Mennonite
.
Mary Lou and her late husband Ernie (1926–2004) are the subjects of the documentary Kind, True and Necessary (2006) by James Knight. The film documents their life of art, Christian pacifism
and simple living
. Ernie was a conscientious objector
and, like his wife, an artist and Mennonite. They lived in an old schoolhouse in Deadwood, Oregon
from 1975.
Mary Lou painted the mural The Community Educates Its Children at the Henderson Community School in Henderson, Nebraska
in 1955. The school, now known as the Heartland Community School
, was in the media during 2009 due to the controversy between the school board and the citizens of Henderson to remove the mural. Initially, the school board canvassed the students and determined that the midcentury modern work was "outdated." Then, the school board advised that a new mural would be a way to promote school spirit. After an outpouring of support from the community, the board has not determined the Goertzen mural's fate.
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
.
Mary Lou and her late husband Ernie (1926–2004) are the subjects of the documentary Kind, True and Necessary (2006) by James Knight. The film documents their life of art, Christian pacifism
Christian pacifism
Christian pacifism is the theological and ethical position that any form of violence is incompatible with the Christian faith. Christian pacifists state that Jesus himself was a pacifist who taught and practiced pacifism, and that his followers must do likewise.There have been various notable...
and simple living
Simple living
Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one's lifestyle. These may include reducing one's possessions or increasing self-sufficiency, for example. Simple living may be characterized by individuals being satisfied with what they need rather than want...
. Ernie was a conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
and, like his wife, an artist and Mennonite. They lived in an old schoolhouse in Deadwood, Oregon
Deadwood, Oregon
Deadwood is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 36, in the Oregon Coast Range.Deadwood was named after Deadwood Creek, a tributary of the Siuslaw River. Deadwood Creek was so-named because of the dead timber snags next to its banks, which...
from 1975.
Mary Lou painted the mural The Community Educates Its Children at the Henderson Community School in Henderson, Nebraska
Henderson, Nebraska
Henderson is a city in York County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 986 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Henderson is at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
in 1955. The school, now known as the Heartland Community School
Heartland Community School
Heartland Community School is a public elementary and secondary education school located in Henderson, United States. Formerly known as Henderson Community School, its name was changed to encompass a school consolidation between Henderson and Bradshaw The school has total 320 students with about...
, was in the media during 2009 due to the controversy between the school board and the citizens of Henderson to remove the mural. Initially, the school board canvassed the students and determined that the midcentury modern work was "outdated." Then, the school board advised that a new mural would be a way to promote school spirit. After an outpouring of support from the community, the board has not determined the Goertzen mural's fate.