Willms, Henry H. (1909-2007)

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

Birth date: 1909 Dec 17

text of obituary:

HENRY H> WILLMS

Henry H. Willms died peacefully Apr. 12. He was born Dec. 17, 1909 in Muntau, Ukraine to Heinrich and Susanne Willms. In the early years, the family enjoyed prosperity. Then came WWI and the Russian Revolution, bringing an extended period of civil unrest, drought, and famine. The family immigrated to Canada in 1928. After a year in Alberta, they moved to B.C, where Henry worked as a farm hand, giving all his money to help pay the family's travel debt (Reiseschuld). In 1932, upon confession of his faith, Henry was baptized and accepted into membership at South Abbotsford MB Church. Henry married Irma Rempel Oct. 25, 1936. They moved onto a farm, where they lived for 61 years, clearing the land, planting strawberries and raspberries, and keeping dairy cows and chickens. Henry enjoyed reading, carpet bowling, and spending time with family. He read though the Bible many times during his life. Henry often said the older he became, the more precious Jesus was to him. Predeceased by Irma in 2003, he is mourned by children Walter (Ann), Selma (Alan Turner), Erika LeClair, Rudy (Christine), Marie Anne (Jake Dick), John (Mandy), Victor (Dorothy), and Rick (Amy); 23 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; 3 siblings; 1 sister- in-law.

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