Bandsmer, Otto (1896-1991)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 1991 Feb 22 p. 29

Birth date: 1896

text of obituary:

OTTO BANDSMER

Otto Bandsmer of Clearbrook, B.C. passed away Jan. 8. He was born May 19, 1896 to Adolf and Pauline Bandsmer in Neuborn, Wolhynien, Ukraine. In 1912 he received Jesus, was baptized and joined the Baptist church in Novo Rudnaja, which his father pastored. He became his father's faithful secretary and bookkeeper. In 1914 they fled their home, and in 1926-28 his parents and 6 children immigrated to North America. In 1930 he became bookkeeper at the Dnieper Dam in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. He married Mika Thiessen Nov. 4, 1936, secretly because of fear of the authorities. In 1943 they escaped to the West, arriving in Halifax Oct. 22, 1948. They lived with Mika's brother Henry in Clearbrook. In 1950 they bought a berry farm, where they lived until his passing. They were members of South Abbotsford MB Church for 17 years, then became founding members of King Road MB Church in 1966. He served with great dedication as church secretary and deacon for many years. In his final days of suffering, the Lord was his unfailing strength. Predeceased by 5 brothers and sisters, he is mourned by his wife; son Rudy of Clearbrook; 3 brothers and 4 sisters.