Rischer, Helmut G. (1905-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 May 28 p. 30

Birth date: 1905 Dec 23

text of obituary:

HELMUT G. RISCHER

Helmut G . Rischer, son of Reinhold and Pauline Rischer, was born in Strassburg, Alsace-Lorraine on December 23, 1905. In 1927, after the difficult war years, he decided to emigrate to Canada and seek a new life. He worked on several farms in Saskatchewan and in lumber camps in Ontario, until he finally came to Manitoba in 1934. Here he worked as a "first-aid" man in relief camps. After various other positions, he eventually obtained employment at the Winnipeg General Hospital as an orderly. In 1937 he took a course in medical technology, and worked in the Pathology Laboratory of that hospital until his death.

When he was five years old he lost his father. A sister died in childhood. His only brother was reported missing during the last war. His mother, who came to live with them in 1952, predeceased him in 1963.

He accepted Christ as his personal Saviour at the age of 32. He was baptized a year later and became a member of the South-End Church. He loved music and served the Lord wholeheartedly as church choir conductor for many years. In 1969 he joined the Portage Ave. MB Church, and served as the conductor of their German choir.

In 1939 he was united in marriage to Anny Guenther. The Lord blessed them with two sons and two daughters, Helmut of Minneapolis, Paul of Winnipeg, Mrs. Tony (Astrid) Peters of Portage La Prairie, Man., and Miss Carla Rischer of Winnipeg.

On Saturday, April 17, while enjoying his supper, he suddenly became ill and was immediately called home to be with the Lord.

The funeral service was held at the Portage Ave. Church on April 20 at 2:00 p.m. It was the expressed wish of the family that this service should project a clear note of victory, and so it did. The Christian Business Men's Quartet sang "Love Divine," a song which had been especially dear to brother Rischer, and "I have heard of the City." Rita Schmidt and Ernie Pauls sang beautifully "The Lord is my Shepherd." The two messages stressed the joy of being with Jesus, and the fact that for a Christian death is a conquered reality, a passageway from relative victory to absolute victory.