Kornelson, Henry H. (1890-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Dec 13 p. 38

Birth date: 1890 Feb 25

text of obituary:

REV. HENRY H. KORNELSON

Henry Kornelson was born in South Russia to Henry and Anna (nee Neumann) Kornelson, on February 25, 1890. When he was 15 years old he lost his father. Shortly after, he accepted Christ as his Saviour; he was baptized in 1906 and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

He received his elementary education in Alexanderkrone, Molotschna. In 1913 he went to Germany to study engineering. With he advent of World War I he became a civil nternee and had to work as farm helper. This marked the beginning of his ministry with the word of God. He was permitted to conduct Bible studies among the Mennonites of Prussia. He was released in 1918 and allowed to go home. This was during the ime of famine caused in part by the evolution in Russia. When the American Mennonites sent relief supplies, he acted as nterpreter and helped in the distribution.

On October 28, 1923 he was married to Sara Reimer and 1924 they emigrated to Canada, living first in Dalmeny, Sask ., then n Grande Prairie, Alta. and since 1926 in Coaldale, Alta. Last year they celebrated heir golden wedding anniversary , which was cause of rejoicing for the whole church. When they came to Coaldale, Henry Kornelson was called to the ministry by the hurch and was ordained on Nov . 1, 1936. He went on to become a noted preacher and cholar of the Bible, speaking on and inter reting prophecy in many churches of the rotherhood.

On November 14 he had to undergo urgery, from which he did not rally. His last words , before the operation, were a prayer of rust and surrender to God's will, and for very member of the family. On November 8 the Lord called his servant home.

He leaves his sorrowing family: Sara, his wife; two daughters: Anne, just returned rom Quito, Ecuador, and Elvira and John Dueck of Coaldale; three sons: Henry and Elisabeth of Abbotsford, B.C., Rudy and Heidi of Edmonton, and Arnold and Anne of Lethbridge, Alta.; and 16 grandchildren. The memory of a father who loved his Bible and erved the Lord will remain a challenge to ollow in his footsteps.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. Rudy Heidebrecht in the Coaldale Mennonite Brethren Church on November 23.

He leaves behind to celebrate his victory and continue the Lord's race his wife, Margaretha; five sons, Abe and J essie of Abbotsford, John and Hilda of Dawson Creek, B.C .. Peter and Sandra, Ben and Pat, and George, all of Abbotsford; two dauthers, Mrs. Walter (Erna) Janzen and Mrs. Stan (Marge) Thiessen) four brothers, Ben, ,Jake, Dave and George, all of Abbotsford; and one sister, Mrs . P. (Annie) Schroeder. He was predeceased by his parents, ten brothers and sisters, and one daughter, Elsie. The funeral was held November 14 at the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church. Don Balzer officiated.