Editing Esau, Agnes Suderman (1923-1974)

''Mennonite Brethren Herald'' obituary: 1974 Oct 04 p. 30

Birth date: 1923 Sep 02

text of obituary:

<center><h3>AGNES ESAU</h3></center>

Agnes Gertrude (nee Suderman) Esau wa
born in Oligino, Russia on September
1923. Her parents then emigrated to Canad
settling after a year in Port Rowan. The ne
life in Canada included many hardships, an
Agnes had to stop school at age 13 to hel
supplement the family income by working i
a factory. During this time she made
personal commitment to Christ, followed b
baptism and joining the Mennonite Brethre
Church.
She completed high school through co
respondence and then went to Winkler Bib
Institute in Manitoba and on to Mennoni
Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg, where sh
graduated with a Bachelor of Religiou
Education degree in 1950.
During this time she met John Esau, an
while he was completing his undergraduat
study she took a year of nurses training. Th
following year they were married.
The sudden death of her mother the nex
year greatly influenced her life, developing
new desire to dedicate her life for the servic
of others.
During this time John and Agnes felt th
call to go to Zaire as missionaries. They wer
accepted by the Mennonite Brethren Boar
of Foreign Missions while in 1954, and spen
five exciting and rewarding years , from 195
y
and teaching work in the villages, Agnes
ministered to African women in the homes
and cared for her husband and five children.
Their work was terminated when civil war
broke out in 1960.
After more study and a sixth child t hey
were led to Truro, Nova Scotia, putting their
roots down in Truro and Debert.
While establishing rich ministries in the
home , church and community, she continued
her pursuit of learning, studying at Nova
Scotia's Teachers College and Mount Allison
University in 1971-72. It was three months
prior to graduation that she became aware of
her terminal affliction.
Through much suffering and death , she
went to her eternal reward. Her life could be
summed up with the words in Timothy 4: 7,8.
She is survived by her husband John ; her
six children: Mary Lois (Mrs .) Katherine
Grace Thiessen , John Irvin, Laurel Esther,
Carl Allen and Lillian Ruth . She leaves
behind also her father , stepmother, three
brothers , three sisters and many cousins and in-laws.

[[Category:Mennonite Brethren Herald obituaries]]