Garber, Matilda Fast (1906-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 1 p. 8

Birth date: 1906

text of obituary:

MATILDA FAST GARBER

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15.

Matilda Fast Garber, second oldest daughter of David G. and Marie Klassen Fast, was born July 9, 1906, in Mountain Lake, Minn. In 1913, at the age of seven, Matilda, her parents and family moved to Montana, where they homesteaded about 17 miles north of Chinook. There she accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior during special meetings in the Bruderthal Mennonite Church. Upon her confession of faith she was baptized by her pastor, Rev. John N. Wall, and became a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church.

In 1926 the family returned to Minnesota where they lived on a farm five miles north of Mountain Lake. As a young person she was always interested in church activities. She loved to sing in the choir, since this was the main youth activity of the church in those days.

On March 22, 1932, she and Marvin Garber of near Alpha, Minn. were united in the holy bonds of marriage at the bride’s home north of Mountain Lake. The newly married couple moved to the farm adjoining the groom’s home place near Alpha. Here the happy couple enjoyed married life for over 25 years, having celebrated their silver anniversary on March 22 of this year. During this time three daughters were born, Vernelda, now Mrs. Charles Hartzler, living on a farm near Jackson; Noreen, who entered nurses’ training at Kansas City, Mo. about a month ago; and Adelma, a junior in high school.

Mrs. Garber entered the Union Hospital at New Ulm for surgery on July 1. Her recovery was normal, and on July 8 she anticipated coming home in a few days, when without warning a blood clot ended her life here on earth at 5:55 p.m. So sudden was her death that none of her family members could be present. The family had anticipated celebrating her 51st birthday in the hospital on July 9, but the Lord whom she loved saw fit to take her to be with Him the evening before.

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Sprit [sic] that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13

Our mother and dear wife was a Christian woman whose consistent and conscientious life did its unfailing work in the midst of her family, church, and friends. She was a beloved and faithful member of the Alpha Mennonite Church during her married life, being regular and punctual in church attendance. She was especially active in the Dorcas Sewing Circle.

Her sudden home-going, while heaven’s gain, has brought great sorrow to her husband and the three daughters, as well as to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David G. Fast of Van Nuys, Calif. She was the first in the Fast family of nine children to be called in death. The others are: Frieda, Mrs. Frank Fast of Jackson; Mary, Mrs. John Garber of Jackson; Ted D. Fast, Mountain Lake; Helen Fast, R. N., Beckley, West Virginia; Linda, Mrs. George Oliver, Amboy; Leander D. Fast, Albert City, Iowa; Louis G. Fast, Granada Hills, Calif.; Peter G. Fast, Bloomington, Ind.

She also leaves behind one son-in-law, Charles Hartzler, and one granddaughter, Anita Marie, six months old, as well as many relatives and friends who will miss the hospitality and love which she showed to all who entered her home.