Fast, H. E. (1856-1927)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1927 Oct 5 p. 8

Birth date: 1856 Feb 11

text of obituary:

Rev. H. E. Fast

Rev. H. E. Fast was born Feb. 11, 1856, in Gnadenheim, South Russia. The next year his parents moved to Alexanderkron, S. R., where he spent his boyhood. Reaching the age of 19, he accompanied the parents to America arriving in Minnesota, Aug. 1, 1873. In 1877 he married Miss Kath. Eytzen. their family consisted of 8 children, 6 sons and 2 daughters; four sons died. Mr. Fast entered the ministry in the year 1888. He preached his first sermon on Good Friday using the text Isaiah 53. For nine years he served as traveling evangelist. He spent most of his time on the farm 4 miles north of Bingham Lake. On June 22, 1908, he suffered quite a loss in a cyclone which destroyed his residence.

In 1913 Rev. Fast moved to Mountain Lake. Here he lost his wife through death in 1923. On September 30, 1924 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Aganetha Gaede, a widow. His last months he spent at American Falls, Idaho. Being sick he was operated at the Pocatello hospital Aug. 20. A second operation followed Sept. 13, the effect of which he could not overcome and he died Sept. 18 at the age of 71 years, 7 months, 7 days, leaving his wife, four children, 16 grandchildren, 3 brothers, 3 sisters and many dear friends. —Mt. lake view.