Kaethler, Peter J. (1900-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Oct 19 p. 30

Birth date: 1900 Nov 05

text of obituary:

PETER J. KAETHLER

Peter J . Kaethler of Vancouver died uddenly on August 18 while hiking with his children on Mount Baker. He was 72 years old. He was born on November 5, 1900, to akob and Elisabeth Kaethler in the village of Grossweide, in the Ukraine. He was the econd youngest of a family of eight and xcept for an older sister, all have predeceas d him. He attended village schools and then he Zentraschul until the Revolution inter upted his education. In his twentieth year e accepted Christ as his Saviour, was aptized and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. His love for the Lord led him to the Bible school in the Crimea for one winter. On June 8, 1924 he was married to Marie Harder of Grossweide, a union which was estined to last over -49 years. ··Their first ear was spent working in an old folks home nd thep ties with parents and family were roken as the young couple left for Canada. hey came to Canada in 1925 and settled rst in southern Saskatchewan. During the epression they moved to Steinbach, Man toba, where they farmed for a number of years. When economic conditions began to improve, they m oved again, in 1944, thi time to Yarrow, B.C . During the 12 year they farmed here their life was rich in spiritual blessings and active participation in the church . He taught in the Sunday school was a member of the church council and on the board of the private high school. When his health declined and farming became too difficult, they moved to Vancouver. Here too the Lord gave blessed years. He attempted by precept and example to instil in hi children the spiritual values which he himsel cherished. A source of never ending thank fulness for him was the knowledge that al his childen and grandchildren knew the Lord He is survived by his wife, Marie; thre sons, Jake and wife Helen, Peter and wif Mary, and John and wife Hedy; fou daughters, Hildegarde (Mrs. Henry) Funk Anne (Mrs. Bill) Friesen, Erika (Mrs. Abe Voth and Violet (Mrs. Harold) Neumann and 17 grandchildren. The funeral was held at the Fraserview MB Church of Vancouve on August 22 with Rev . Loyal Funk and Rev . D.E. Wiens ministering.