Galle, Menno Jacob (1883-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jul 22 p. 11

Birth date: 1883 Aug 11

text of obituary:

REV. M. J. GALLE

Rev. Menno Jacob Galle, oldest son of Rev. William and Maria (Krehbiel) Galle, was born in the village of Christian near Moundridge, Kan. on Aug. 11, 1883. He died in the San Luis Obispo, Calif. General Hospital on June 8, 1971 at the age of 87.

His mother died in 1888 when he was five years old.

On Aug. 28, 1898 he was baptized by his father upon his confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and received into the West Zion Mennonite Church of Moundridge. His father wrote Philippians 3:12 in Menno's Bible.

He attended elementary and high school at Moundridge, graduating in 1901. In 1905 he entered Bethel College at North Newton, Kan. where he attended one year. After teaching school for one year, he again entered Bethel College and graduated on June 5, 1912 with the A.B. degree. He attended Iliff Seminary in Denver, Colo. several summers (1922-1929) while he served the church at Aberdeen, Idaho.

On his birthday, Aug. 11, 1912, he was ordained to the Gospel ministry by Rev. Regier. He had, however, been preaching one year before his ordination.

In July 1912 he began his work in a small mission church in Hague, Saskatchewan. In 1913 he also became the principal of a church college at Rosthern, Sask.

On Jan. 1, 1914 he married Marie Friesen of Hague, Sask. They lived on the campus of the school where they taught until June 1919. They were married 57 years.

The various other places where the Galles served were: two Mennonite churches near Lind and Ruff, Wash. 1929-1937 (on Jan. 1, 1931 he also accepted the pastorate of the English Congregational Church in Odessa, Wash., serving that church through December 1947); Zoar Congregational Church at American Falls, Idaho, March 1948 to August 1950; the First Mennonite Church in Paso Robles, Calif. from September 1950 to June 1957; from September 1957 to Jan. 11, 1959; supply pastor in the Willow Creek Mennonite Church of Paso Robles.

During his retirement he served as pulpit supply for various churches in Paso Robles and a church in Atascadero. In 1970 he served as chaplain of the AARP (American Association of Retired People).

Mr. Galle served at various times as president and secretary of conferences. He was secretary of the General Conference Mennonite Publication Board for 15 years. For several years he was a member of the Board of Directors of Bethe College, representing the Pacific District Conference. His reply to the challenge to serve in various places has always been Joshua 24:24: "The Lord our God will we serve, and His voice will I obey."

In 1952 the Galles built their own home in Paso Robles. The Lord has blessed them throughout these years.

Mr. Galle enjoyed fairly good health until January 1971 when his health began to fail. A brother, Ralph, of Moundridge, Kan. preceded him in death in 1967.

Surviving are: his widow, also of Paso Robles; three brothers: Kurt of Arkansas City, Kan., Paul of San Leandro, Calif., and Oswin of Valley Center, Kan.; four sisters, Marna, Mrs. John Suderman of Newton, Kan., Clara, Mrs. Edward Whaley of Great Bend, Kan., Linda, Mrs. Alvin Woelk and Priscilla, Mrs. George Nettleton, both of Lamar, Colorado.

Mr. Galle was a member of the First Mennonite Church in Paso Robles at the time of his death.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Jul 6 p. 447