Fast, Herman J. (Mrs.) Nickel (1865-1930)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1930 Jan 22 p. 5

Birth date: 1865 Dec 9

text of obituary:

Mrs. Herman J. Fast

Mt. Lake, Minn., Jan. 9. — Mrs. Herman J. Fast, one of the community's outstanding pioneer women, was laid to rest in the local cemetery, after services in the Bethel church, which brought together hundreds of friends of the deceased and her family. The church was filled to the last seat for the impressive services which were in charge of Rev. J. J. Balzer, pastor of the congregation.

Rev. H. H. Regier opened the services with the reading of the Scriptures, and offered prayer. Then Rev. N. F. Toews, aged in physique, but alert in mind, delivered the message of sympathy and condolence. Rev. Balzer read the detailed obituary, which had been prepared by the members of the family. Rev. D. A. Regier made closing remarks. A mixed chorus sang at intervals through the service, and while the many hundreds were filing by the flower-bedecked coffin.

The deceased was born on December 9, 1865, as the oldest daughter of John and Aganetha Nickel, in Pastwa, South Russia. Here she spent her childhood, and at the age of twelve, in 1878, she came to America with her parents, settling in the vicinity of Mountain Lake. At the age of nineteen she was baptized by Rev. Aaron Wall, and received into the church.

In 1886 she was married to her now mourning husband, Herman J. Fast. The couple soon moved to the farm four and one-half miles southeast of Mountain Lake, where they underwent the trials and tribulations of pioneer hardships. It meant a great deal of work, and the deceased was always willing to do more than her share. She prepared a beautiful home for her family, she was an energetic and earnest church worker, seldom missing Sunday School or church services, and in every line of work, she was always eager to do her part.

The family remained on the farm until they moved to Mountain Lake several years ago. Her ill health, coupled with heart trouble, had its inception during the time of the World War, when she was taken with a serious attack of influenza. She recovered partially, however, and was able to take her place everywhere until three weeks before her death. She did not take to her bed never to rise again until December 29 and from then on her condition grew steadily more serious, until the end came at 4:30 in the afternoon on Friday, January 3. She reached the age of 64 years and 25 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, H. J. Fast; and seven children, Aganetha, a missionary in China who was unable to be present at the funeral; Mrs. H. W. Wall, Marie and Olga, and Herman B., John B. and Rev. Henry A. Fast of Bethel College. In addition there are four sons and daughters-in-law, 15 grandchildren, and 11 sisters and brothers, as well as hundreds of close and intimate friends. — Mt. Lake Observer.