Wedel, Jacob J. (1905-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Aug 09 p. 30

Birth date: 1905 Aug 05

text of obituary:

JACOB J. WEDEL

Jacob J. Wedel was born August 5, 1905 in Dolinsk, Neu Samara in Russia to Jacob and Mary (nee Rempel) Wedel. When he was five, his family moved east to the village Gnadenheim in the Slawgorod area of Siberia. Here he grew up and completed elementary and high school education.

At the age of 16 he accepted Christ as his Saviour and upon confession of his faith was baptized the same summer, becoming a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Gnadenheim. His teaching career began at the early age of 18 and 19, when he taught school in two Mennonite villages.

In November 1926, he and his family emigrated from Russia to Canada, settling initially in Saskatchewan, later moving to Alberta and finally to Manitoba in 1928 January 6, 1929, he was married to Helen Klassen. Their union was blessed with five healthy children: two sons and three daughters.

The young couple purchased a farm and planned to continue farming. But God had other plans for him. Following a serious farm accident he was forced to leave heavy farm work . After much thought and prayer he decided to return to school and then take up teaching.

In 1935 he got his first teaching job in Canada in the Steinbach area. For the next 17 years he taught in southern Manitoba public schools. During the summers he completed his B.A. degree at the University of Manitoba.

In 1953 he joined the staff of the Steinbach Collegiate Institute where he taught for 18 years. His deep dedication and love for teaching won him the respect of his many students, among whom were his own five children. His greatest satisfaction came from seeing his students succeed in their studies and in life.

In 1971 they retired to Winnipeg. As member of the North Kildonan Church, the the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church and more recently the Portage Avenue Church, he actively participated in various capacities.

He was suddenly called home June 24. He was predeceased by two brothers in Russia and later by his parents in Canada. He is survived by his loving wife Helen two sons: Jack and Lorraine, and Henry and Lois, all of Winnipeg; three daughters: Hilda of San Francisco, Elsie and Dave Friesen of Winnipeg, Helen and Gerard Mobach of Oakland, Calif.; nine grandchildren; two brothers; and three sisters.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 28 in the Portage Avenue MB Church. Rev. H H. Voth and Rev. Frank Friesen of Morden served.