Rempel, Dietrich D. (1895-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Apr 21 p. 31

Birth date: 1895 Dec 30

text of obituary:

DIETRICH D. REMPEL

Dietr-ich D. Rempel of Abbotsford, B.'C., passed away very suddenly at his home on M arch 14. He was born to Dietrich and K'atharina (nee Matthies) Rempel in Karassan, in the Crimea, on December 30, 1895. In 1898 the family moved to the Caucasus where he spent his childhood and attended school. For his high school he w en-t back to Karassan. Shortly after finishing school he was drafted into the Russ'ian army and served on the Turkish front. During the Revo'lution he served ·for a time with the White Army. When the White Army lost to the Communists he was left behind sick wi,th typhoid fever. Yet God spared his life and he was wond erfully able to return to his home. Through God's grace he came to salvation in Chris-t and in September, 1921 he was baptized by Anton Gerg and accepted into the M ennonite Brethren church at Kalantorowka, Stavropol.

He was married to Gretha Fast in 1922 in the home of his wife's parents, the Kornelius Fasts. Go-d gave them six sons and two daughters. They came to Canada in 1926 and lived in Manitoba until 1934 when they moved to B.C. After a short stay in Yarrow they moved to Abbotsford. During a recent stay in the hospital in Vancouver he made a new experience with his Lord.

He leaves to mourn, his grieving wife, Gretha; six sons, George, McKinleyville, Calif., Ewald, Abe, Herb, Ed and Clarence, all of Abbotsford; two daughters, Hertha (Mrs. Glenn Follis), Chilliwack, and Verna (Mrs. Mike Woloshen), Williams Lake, B.C.; and 21 grandchildren. He is also survived by two brother.s and three sisters.