Fast, Herman B. (1887-1938)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1939 Jan 10 p. 14

Birth date: 1887 May 19

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1938 Dec 28 p. 5

Herman B. Fast

Herman B. Fast was born May 19, 1887, a son of Herman J. and Aganetha Becker Fast. He grew to manhood on the parental farm 4 ½ miles southeast of Mountain Lake. His educational training he received in the district country school and in the German Preparatory School in the village.

Always ambitious, energetic and eager to learn he developed through wide study and reading a broad range of interests which included, beside his fundamental interest in home and farming, the church, various farmers' cooperative organizations, politics, and other worthwhile enterprises of community interest. In the Minnesota legislature he served two terms as representative of Watonwan County where he won the respect and regard of his colleagues by his sincerity and honesty and his interest in the common man and in good government. His contributions in his various public efforts are too well known to need comment but to all of them he brought a conscientious faithful, and unstinting service.

His home he established on March 16, 1911, when he married Miss Anna Warkentin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Warkentin of Mountain Lake. Into their home were born five children, four girls and one boy. They soon established themselves on their present farm a short distance from the parental home and just across the county line in Watonwan County, where through industrious application they built up their present home. A few years ago in1936, surrounded by a host of relatives and friends, they had the happy privilege of celebrating their silver wedding anniversary.

At the age of twenty he gave his heart to the Lord and untied with the Bethel Church in Mountain Lake. here he took an active part in its various activities, church, Sunday School, choir, etc., and repeatedly was given positions of responsibility and trust.

His illness probably had its beginning last summer with periodic attacks of headache and dizziness followed by periods of apparent well-being. He sought medical aid and recently also spent a week in Bethel Hospital for observation and treatment. Apparently feeling quite well on Dec. 10 he drove in the afternoon to St. James for some treatments and to attend at the same time a meeting in the evening. After the meeting he felt one of his attacks coming on and he waited at the hotel for it to pass. But his condition grew worse instead of better. A doctor was summoned but it was in vain. He passed away in a short time. Apparently a sudden death was not unexpected by him judging by remarks he had made in previous occasions.

His untimely departure is, of course, a great shock to the family. He was only 51 years and 7 months of age. His immediate family, Mrs. Anna H. B. Fast and the children: Wilma, Bertha, Alma, Marie Ruth, and Robert, together with his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. H. J. Fast, and the brothers and sisters; Miss Aganetha Fast, Taming, China, John B. Fast, Mt. Lake; Mrs. Sara H. W. Wall, Dallas, Ore.; Henry A. Fast, N. Newton, Kans.; Miss Marie H. Fast, Mt. Lake; and Mrs. Olga A. Nachtigal, Winnipeg. Man.; besides a host of relatives and friends will always remember him for those fine qualities of Christian character that found expression in his life and service. His untimely passing perplexes his family but they believe confidently that God in his infinite wisdom and love knew best. To his gracious mercy and love they would commit both him who has passed on as well as themselves.

The Mennonite obituary: 1939 Jan 10 p. 15