Fast, Daniel (1877-1968)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1969 Feb 21 p. 26

Birth date: 1877 Jan 10

text of obituary:

DANIEL FAST

Daniel Fast, 91 of Vancouver went to be with the Lord on November 10 after a brief illness. He was born on January 10, 1877, in Furstenau, South Russia, son of John and Justina (Warkentin) Fast. As a young person he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and was accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church after baptism upon his confession of faith.

He trained as a teacher under Herman Lenzmann while in Russia and at the age of 19 took his first teaching position in a private school at Taschtchenak near Melitopol. Later he taught in two small villages in the Molotschna Colony.

In 1901 he was married to Maria Neufeld, daughter of the Mennonite minister, John W. Neufeld. Together they decided to emigrate to Canada in 1904. They made their home in Manitoba at first and after studies at Gretna he became a teacher again. For 23 years he subsequently taught in various schools in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He also served in the Bible School at Coaldale for two years.

In 1941 the family moved to B.C. where his wife died after two years. Since 1946 he had lived in Vancouver. In his retirement he spent a great deal of time with the Word of God.

He is survived by five sons, John and wife Elsie of Swift Current, Sask., Edward and wife Emma of Richmond, B.C., Daniel and wife Agnes of Burnaby, B.C., Albert and wife Lydia of Kimberly, B.C., and Ernst of Vancouver; and two daughters, Ella and Mary of Vancouver. He lived most of his last 25 years with the three last-named children.