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 h Saviour and upon confession of his faith w baptized the same summer, becoming member of the Mennonite Brethren Churc in Gnadenheim. His teaching career began the early age of 18 and 19, when he taug school in two Mennonite villages .

In November 1926, he and his fami emigrated from Russia to Canada , settlin initially in Saskatchewan, later moving Alberta and finally to Manitoba in 192 January 6, 1929, he was married to Hele Klassen. Their union was blessed with fi healthy children: two sons and three daugh ers.

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

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

In 1953 he joined the staff of the Stei bach Collegiate Institute where he taught f 18 years. His deep dedication and love teaching won him the respect of his man students, among whom were his own five seeing hi s s t.udents succeed in their studie and in life. In HJ71 they retired to Winnipeg. As member of the North Kildonan Church, the the St.einbach Mennonite Brethren Church and mon1 recently the Portage Avenu Church, he actively participated in variou capacities. He was suddenly called home June 24. H 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 an Lois, all of Winnipeg; three daughters: Hild of Sa n F rancisco, Elsie and Dave Friesen o Winnipeg, Helen and Gerard Mobach o Oakland, Calif.; nine grandchildren; tw brothers ; and three sisters. Funeral services were held Friday, June 2 in the Portage Avenue MB Church. Rev. H H. Votl! and Rev. Frank Friesen of Morde served.