Derksen, Myrtle Fast (1933-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Jun 18 p. 8

Birth date: 1933 Jan 21

text of obituary:

MRS. MYRTLE FAST DERKSEN

Mrs. Myrtle Fast Derksen, daughter of George and Annie (Frey) Fast, was born Jan. 21, 1933, in Omaha, Neb.

Myrtle was adopted in the year of 1940 by George and Annie Fast, and received her schooling at Dallas and Milwaukie, Oregon.

In her early teens she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and Lord, and upon her confession of faith, she was baptized by Rev. Paul N. Roth and joined the Calvary Mennonite Church of Barlow, Oregon.

On April 4th, 1952, she was united in marriage to Leonard Derksen. Three children were born to this union, Marilyn Louise, Randy La Vern and Daryl Lee. Randy La Vern preceded her in death in 1956. On June 6, 1954 she united with the Grace Mennonite Church, Dallas.

Myrtle loved to sing. One of her favorite songs was, “After.” Even on her sick bed she sang songs like, “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine,” “Rock of Ages,” and others.

On her sick bed Myrtle definitely confessed that her way was open to God, and prayed that if He would spare her life, she wanted to live closer to Him, to testify and sing for Him, and bring up the children in the Christian way. She was in the Willamette Falls Community Hospital for 11 days in Oregon City.

She passed away Saturday, May 30, at 12:00 o'clock noon. She reached the age of 26 years, four months, nine days. Uremic poisoning caused her death.

Myrtle leaves to mourn her early departure her husband; two children, Marilyn Louise, 6, Daryl Lee, 3; her parents; her brother, Richard Lee, sister-in-law Theda and a host of relatives and a circle of friends.

Funeral services were held june 1 at Grace Mennonite church, Dallas, with Dr. H. D. Burkholder and Rev. Wm. Stoleberg officiating.