Willems, Henry A. (1886-1971)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 1971 Feb 19 p. 27

Birth date: 1886 Apr 17

text of obituary:

HENRY A. WILLEMS

Rev. Henry A. Willems passed away in Rosthern, Sask., on January 16, at the age of 84 years. He was born in Jackson County, Minnesota in 1886 and came to Rosthern with his parents in 1899. His parents pioneered in the Waldheim district. In 1911 he was united in marriage to Augusta Schmidt, and their union was blessed with four sons and three daughters. They farmed together until 1953 when they retired to Hepburn. His wife predeceased him in 1959, after 48 years of married life. He found a second companion in Mrs. Tina Giesbrecht, and enjoyed another ten years of marriage. He was baptised in 1902 and received into the fellowshio of the Brotherfield Mennonite Brethren Church. Here he assisted in the ministry and received ordination in 1922. For 25 years he served that church and following retirement to Hepburn continued his ministry in the Hepburn Church. Active in conference affairs, he was one of the founding brethren of the Bethany Bible Institute. For almost 20 years he served in the Rosthern Invalid Home one Sunday morning each month. His first wife, Augusta, a sister and two brothers, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Tina; 3 daughters: Mrs. E.L. ( Linda) Fast, Mrs. Abe (Bertha) Kroeker, Mrs. Donald (Esther) Hanson; four sons: Clarence, Samuel, Harry, Ted, and their wives; 24 grandchidren, nine great grandchildren; a sister, and five brothers.