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Ella Elvira Fast
Ella Elvira Fast of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Feb. 28. She was born Feb. 23, 1907 to Daniel and Maria Fast in Morden, Man. She had 5 brothers and 1 sister. She wanted to be a teacher like her father, but her help was needed at home. In her teens, she accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Main Centre (Sask.) MB Church. A year or 2 later, she joined the choir. The family moved to the grandparents’ farm at Turnhill, Sask. She attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School. She developed a heart for service, joined the choir and taught Sunday school. Crop failures led her to Saskatoon, where she worked 2–3 years. During the Depression, she moved to Vancouver, where she was housekeeper for the Allans for several years. Shortly, her parents, sister Mary and brothers Ernest and Dan moved in with her. She continued singing in the choir and attended church. They lived on a chicken farm in Surrey, B.C. when her mother died in 1943. They moved to Vancouver and attended Fraserview MB Church. She taught a Sunday school class of girls, enjoying it greatly and giving parties for the girls. She painted houses that her brothers Ernest and Dan built and answered phone calls during the day. About 1975, she, Ernest and Mary moved to Abbotsford, where they lived in a house together for 14 years. They joined the Alliance Church. Ernest died of cancer in 1989. She and Mary moved to a condo. They enjoyed participating in several charitable endeavours in a quiet retirement. She became sick on Sept. 26, 2000 and was hospitalized. Predeceased by 4 brothers, she is mourned by her sister Mary and brother Albert. The memorial service was held Mar. 7, with Lyle Magnus ministering.
Donald Zeray
Donald Zeray passed away July 13 in Leamington (Ont.) District Memorial Hospital. He was born Jan. 21, 1944 to Jon and Ella Zeray, the 2nd of 9 children. He was baptized at 13. He served on the junior board of deacons and later was secretary of the board of deacons at First Baptist Church. He married Angie. In September 1998, they joined Leamington MB Church. Angie remembers his undying love, respect, selflessness, support and easy-going manner. He encouraged his children; had a positive attitude; was kind; loved and accepted everyone; did not judge others; had a huge heart; was generous; and had a strong, unfaltering faith in the Lord, even at the end. He is mourned by his wife Angie of 34 years; children Dawn, Jodi and Nicole; and brothers and sisters. The funeral was July 16 in Leamington MB Church, with Henry Regier ministering.
Jacob A. Guenther
Jacob A. Guenther of Winnipeg passed away Oct. 26. He was born June 7, 1906 to Abraham and Maria Guenther on a homestead at Gretna, Man., the 11th of 12 children. He had 4 years of elementary school, then was needed on the farm. His skills in calculation were excellent, using unique systems. He attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School. He married Erna M. Hooge Oct. 13, 1929. They lived on a farm and ran a puffed wheat factory, producing Sunshine Cereals. They lived in Hague, Sask. for a short time, then returned to Winkler. The factory went bankrupt due to increased wheat prices after the war, and they moved into Winkler. He worked at Sirlucks and Janzens, a general store. In 1949 Hooge Cleaners, a family business, was begun; he worked there until 1975. In retirement, he and Erna spent 15 winters in the south, mostly in Desert Hot Springs. They travelled to Florida, Arizona, B.C., Ontario, Newfoundland and Europe. His last 10 years were difficult. They moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family. His health deteriorated in the last 3 months. He loved horses, cars, music, food, dressing up, travelling, sports and birds. He enjoyed playing and watching golf, curling, baseball and pool and playing card games, including Uno and Bridge. He was an usher, sang in the choir and served on the food committee at Winkler MB Church. He loved people; he often went for coffee with the men. He helped set up and run the senior citizens’ centre. He was humble and gentle, had a desire to tell others about his faith and wanted to go to be with his God. Predeceased by son Morley Allan in 1980 and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by Erna; daughters Emily of Gimli, Man. and Carol Jackson of Winnipeg; sons Larry of Vernon, B.C., Ray of Winnipeg and Roy of Okanagan Falls, B.C.; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 3 in Winkler MB Church, with Victor Neufeld and John Stoesz ministering.
Dietrich Knelsen
Dietrich (Dick) Knelsen of Kelstern, Sask. passed away Aug. 25. He was born Oct. 26, 1910 in Olgafeld, Russia. In 1925 the family immigrated to Canada, settling on a homestead near Kelstern. He had 6 years of schooling in Russia. He worked on his father’s farm and for neighbours in Canada. He learned to read English with help from his neighbour, Mrs. Thompson. He accepted Christ in his teens, was baptized and joined Elim MB (now Kelstern Community) Church, a church he deeply loved the rest of his life. In 1940 he married Bertha Tacholsky; they began to farm. His concern for his 2 sons and their spiritual well-being never waned. He was a home-loving person, but took time to listen and talk with anyone who needed a listening ear. He was committed to the Bible, and often expressed concern about the direction the church was taking. He sang in a church quartet and choir for many years and served on various boards and committees in the church and the community. Predeceased by 1 sister, 1 brother and an adopted sister, he is mourned by Bertha; sons Alden of Swift Current, Sask. and Larry of Kelstern and their families; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Aug. 28 in Kelstern Community Church, with Archie Jantzen and Ray Ulriksen ministering.
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Last modified December 7, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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