Fast, Henry G. (1883-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Apr 21 p. 8

Birth date: 1883 Aug 28

text of obituary:

HENRY G. FAST

Henry G. Fast was born August 28,1883 on a farm near Mt. Lake, Minn., the third son of Gerhard and Helena (Hamm) Fast. He received his elementary education in a rural school and also a parochial school. In the year 1903 he accepted his Savior as Lord in his life, was baptized by Elder Aron Wall and received into the Bruderthaler church at Mt. Lake.

On March 13, 1912 he was united in marriage to Helen Klasen and this union has continued for 48 years, minus four days. They were blessed with eight children. One son preceded him in death.

They began their marital life on a farm five miles northwest of Mt. Lake, and lived there for four years. In the spring of 1916, together with many other friends, they were motivated with the desire of homesteading and moved to Montana, settling 18 miles north of Frazer. Here they experienced extreme hardships and the rigors of pioneering, but also many blessings both spiritual and financially. Their little homestead grew to extensive ranching operations. He found time to serve on school boards and assist in various community developments.

In 1937 they moved to Dallas, Oregon, settling on a farm in the Salt Creek area, and retiring in 1945 to their home at 708 Ellendale Ave. He then helped in the organization of the Dallas Rest Home and served as manager there for the first three years.

In the very beginning of his Christian life he prayed that the Lord should give him some kind of work in His vineyard. That prayer was answered by giving father the privileges of 51 years of continual service in the Sunday School as teacher and superintendent, also serving several terms as trustee and secretary. He was a charter member of the E. M. B. church at Lustre, Mont., being selected the first superintendent at its organization in 1917.

Missions and missionaries have always been very near to his heart. He was deeply concerned about the spiritual life of his children and grandchildren, and spent many hours praying for them and counseling with them about their spiritual welfare. Often we observed his tolerant attitude and generosity toward his friends, neighbors and strangers.

The Lord called him home Wednesday, March 9, at the Dallas Rest Home, after 16 days of illness. He reached the age of 78 years, six months and 10 days.

Surviving him are his wife, Helen, and two daughters of Dallas, Olga (Mrs. Frank Wall) and Helen (Mrs. Larry Fitzwater); five sons, Arthur H. of Frazer, Mont., Peter W. of Port Arthur, Texas, Arnold L. of Salem, Ore., Harry T. of Rickerall [sic Rickreall], Ore., and Marvin L. of Dallas; two sons-in-law and five daughters-in-law; 26 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also mourning his passing are four brothers and one sister, David G. of Fresno, Calif., Geo. A. of Milwaukie, Ore., John G., Herman G. and Mrs. D. D. Stoesz of Mt. Lake, Minn., and a host of other relatives and many friends.

We mourn only as those who have an undying hope of seeing him again.