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, Sas'k., on January 16, at th e 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 Wa'ldheiim district. In 1911 he was united in marriage to Augusta Schmidt, and their 'union was bl'essed w ith four sons and t hree daughters. They fa rmed to'gether until 1953 when they retired to Hepburn. H is w i-fe predeceased h'im 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 feHowshio of the Brotherfield Mennonite Brethren Church. Here he assisted 'in th e ministry and rece'ived ordination in 1922. For 25 years he served that church and foHowing retirement to Hepburn continued his ministry in the Hepburn Church . Active in conference affairs, he was one of the founding orethren of th e Bethany Bible ·Institut e. For almost 20 years he served in the Rosthern In,valid Home one Sunday morning each month. His fi rst w ife, A ugusta, a sister and two broth ers, predeceased him. He is surv,ived by his wi fe Tina; 3 daughters: Mrs. E.L. ( Linda) Fast, Mrs. Abe (Bertha) Kroeker, Mrs. Donald (Esther) Hanson; four sons: Ola rence, Samuel, Harry, Ted, and th eir wi ves; 24 grandchHdren, nine great grandchildren; a sister, and f ive brothers.