Fast, Liese DeFehr (1904-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1976 Nov 12 p. 37

Birth date: 1904 Oct 11

text of obituary:

MRS. LIESE FAST/h3>

(Mrs.) Liese Fast, the daughter of C. A. and Elizabeth DeFehr, was born on October 11, 1904 in Petrowka, South Russia. The family soon moved to Millerowo, where she enjoyed a happy and carefree childhood. The family moved to the Kuban settlement during the terrorism of the Revolution in 1917. There, in May of 1923, she married Bernhard Fast. The Fasts moved to Canada in 1925, settling for two years in Gretna, Manitoba, and then for 11 years at Springstein, Manitoba, where her husband taught school. Three sons and two daughters were born to them. In 1938 they relocated in Winnipeg. Mrs. Fast accepted Christ as her Saviour at the age of 13 and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church through baptism that year. She served her Lord as a faithful wife and devoted mother. She accepted many tasks in the church and community, including direction of the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church Schwesternverein, from which she derived much satisfaction and happiness. In 1958 she developed symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but these were relieved a few years later as a result of a new medication. Her husband, B. B. Fast, predeceased her in 1963. In June, 1976, acute leukemia was detected, and she died peacefully on September 12 after bearing the discomforts and disability of illness with great forbearance and dignity. She is survived by three sons, Bernhard, Neil and William and their wives; two daughters, Betty (Mrs. John) Goossen and Nellie (Mrs. Abe) Dahl and their husbands; 15 grandchildren; her father, C. A. DeFehr; three brothers and their wives, Abraham, Cornelius and William; and many relatives and friends.