DeFehr, Elizabeth Dyck (1885-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Apr 21 p. 31

Birth date: 1885 Aug 28

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZABETH DEFEHR

Elizabeth DeFehr, beloved wife of C. A. DeFehr of Winnipeg, was born on August 28, 1885 in Nikolaifeld, southern Russia, and went to be with her Lord on March 23. She was the daughter of Rev. Wilhelm and Maria Dyck and had the advantage of growing up in a Christian home together with one brother and eight sisters. At the age of seven she accepted the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour and at the age of 13 she was baptized near Einlage and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church. She learned to know her future husband in Petrowka, where she had moved with her parents in 1900, and two years later when they moved to Millerowo she again met him. In 1903 she was united in marriage to C.A. DeFehr. When the war broke out in 1914 the business community of Millerowo set up a provisional hospital for the care of wounded soldiers and Mrs. DeFehr was placed in charge. She served in this capacity for the duration of the conflict. In 1919, after the Revolution, they tied from Millerowo to the Kuban area where they lived for six years until they had the opportunity to emigrate to Canada. During the time in the Kuban the Mennonite Brethren Church there commissioned her to serve the needy as a deaconess. She performed her service with much devotion.

In 1925 they managed to leave Russia for Canada. At first they lived in the village of Gnadenthal in southern Manitoba, but soon thereafter they moved to Winnipeg. She was actively involved in the work of the church, 16 years as the head of the women's circle in the Northend (now Elmwood) Church.

When her husband was entrused with the responsibility of helping resettled refugees to Paraguay in 1947-48, she accompanied him and faithfully assisted him in helping the needy Mennonite settlers. Her love and Christian service was a great encouragement to many widowed mothers and in later years she kept a contact by correspondence with as many as it was possible for her. To her husband and children, she was all that love, faithfulness and loving motherhood could encompass. Her prayers carried them throughout their life together. She reached an age of 86 years and had lived in love and harmony with her husband for 68 years.

She is survived by her husband, C.A. DeFehr; one daughter, Mrs. B.B. Fast; three sons, Abram, William and Cornelius, all of Winnipeg, and their wives; 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren; and many friends, relatives and co-workers.