Froese, George J. (1901-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Dec 18 p. 3

Birth date: 1901

text of obituary:

Manitoba Minister Loses Life in R. R. Crossing Accident

REV. GEO. J. FROESE INSTANTLY KILLED, TWO SONS NARROWLY ESCAPE

Horndean, Manitoba. — Rev. George J. Froese, 46, a minister o the Rudnerweide church, was instantly killed here Friday morning, Dec. 5, at 8:00 a. m. when struck by a train at a level crossing, and two members of his family narrowly escaped a similar fate.

Rev. Froese and two sons were en route to Winnipeg when the tragedy occurred. Due to a frost-coated windshield, a son George at the wheel of the car failed to see the approaching train. The father was the first to notice it and shouting a warning, but due to icy road conditions the son was unable to bring the car to a stop. The elder Froese jumped to save his life and slipped on the tracks, while the younger man put the car into low gear, stepped on the accelerator, and saved his lie and that of his brother by a matter of inches. The father was struck by the train as it hurtled past.

Funeral services were held at the Bergthaler church, Winkler, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, with burial in the Winkler cemetery. The large new church building was filled to capacity for the services, which were in charge of Bishop Wm. Falk, assisted by Rev. Isaac Friesen and Rev. A. Friesen.

Rev. Froese, who farmed five miles north o her, is survived by his wife and nine children, ranging in age from nine months to 23 years.