Hamm, Abraham Arthur (1932-2007)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2007 May p. 29

Birth date: 1932 Sep 21

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM ARTHUR (ART) HAMM

Art Hamm died sud- denly Feb. 20. He was born Sept. 21, 1932 in Gouldtown, Sask. to Abraham and Helen Hamm. Art was an overcomer. He expe- rienced the deaths hood was spent in of his mother and 2 Watrous, Sask.ln 1940, stepmothers, and the loss of 2 family farms. the family moved to At 9, Art received Jesus as Lord and Saviour. John Toews died peacefully Feb. 24. He was born Aug. 26,1925 in Colonsay, Sask . to Heinrich A. and Hele- na Toews . John's child- Gretna, Man. In early 1942, John moved to At 12, he was trampled by a horse and then B.C. He was hired by Dueck Building Supplies contracted polio in the hospital. Told he would and was a loyal employee for 28 years, both in never walk again, he went on to win track Chilliwack and Abbotsford. He married Elfrieda and field races . Art attended Briercrest Bible Krause in 1964 and they attended Clearbrook MB Church. In 1970 John was baptized and became a member of Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. John retired in 1986 after a second bout with cancer, and spent the next 14 years as a volunteer driver for the Cancer Society. In Feb. 2003, John suffered a debilitating stroke. He is mourned by Elfrieda; daughter Ruth; son Robert (Heather); granddaughter Sydney; 1 brother, 3 sisters. The memorial service was Mar. 1 at Bak - erview MB Church. David Goertz David Goertz died peacefully Mar. 8 at age 90. He was born July 16, 1916 in Kamenetz, Russia to Peter and Maria Goertz. In 1924, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Crowfoot, Alta., and later Lindbrook, Alta. Dave married Susie Mar- tens Mar. 25, 1940 and for 6 years worked on the Jones Ranch in Bassano, Alta. In 1946 they moved to Coaldale, where Dave worked as a farmer, welder, and meatpacking plant main- tenance worker, using his skills as an inventor to design and build labour-saving machinery. In 1989, Dave and Susie moved to Claresholm, Institute and Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina. While at Briercrest, he met and mar- ried Shirley Memory. In 1958, the family left for mission work in India. They served with India Mission and Far East Broadcasting Company, pioneering Christian radio and literature, and running a recording studio, printing press, and bookstore. In 1970, Shirley died of a heart at- tack. Art and his 4 young children settled in Ou- tram, Sask., where Art worked in construction and management. Subsequently, he worked as a printer and recording technician at Briercrest. He spent many Sundays speaking and travelling with his singing daughters. In 1979, Art married Hilda Froese. They were a dynamic team with unending resolve and energy. In 1981, Art and Hilda relocated to Virgil, Ont. to represent Far East Broadcasting Company and Every Home for Christ. In 1993, they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. and began a home- based charity called Cross Cultural Mission Support Ministries. Art completed 18 trips back to India and was able to see the fruit of his labour. Predeceased by Shirley; 2 sisters; 1 brother; 1 grandchild; he is mourned by Hilda; children Darene, Debbie, Darrell, Darla, Alan, Carolyn, Donna, and Brenda, and their spouses; 16 grandchildren; 1 sister; 1 brother. The memorial service wa s Feb . 26 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford.