Fast, Dietrich D. (1908-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 May 28 p. 30

Birth date: 1908 Oct 15

text of obituary:

DIETRICH D. FAST

Dietrich D. Fast was born on October 15, 1908 in Waldheim, South Russia. When he was still a young child his parents died of hunger and typhoid fever. He spent two years in an orphanage at Grossweide with the Abram Harders. During the Russian Revolution the George Heinrichs took care of him. They took him to Canada with them in 1924, and settled in Hepburn, Sask. He was baptized and joined the MB church in Hepburn the same year. In 1932 he moved to B.C. and the following year he married Katharina Thiessen. They made their home in Yarrow. The Lord blessed them with five children, two sons and three daughters. His wife predeceased him on April 7, 1952.

The Lord provided him with a second wife, Helena Dueckman, whom he married on November 16, 1952. Her eleven year-old son joined the family. His second wife passed away on July 14, 1956. He lived for two years with his children George and Frieda Fast. The last span of his life, about three years, he spent at the Tabor Home in Clearbrook, B.C. He was being cared for at the Abbotsford Hospital when he passed away on April 27.

He leaves to mourn three daughters, Mrs. Ervin (Gloria) Janzen of Yarrow, Mrs. Henry Dick (Frieda) of Agassiz, and Mrs. Robert (Hilda) Hale, of Chilliwack; three sons, George and his wife of Yarrow, Harry and his wife of 100 Mile House; one brother, Henry and his wife of Langley; and one sister, Mrs. Cornelius (Mary) Wolfe of Yarrow.