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 suddenly on August 18 while hiking with his children on Mount Baker. He was 72 years old. He was born on November 5, 1900, to Jakob and Elisabeth Kaethler in the village of Grossweide, in the Ukraine. He was the second youngest of a family of eight and except for an older sister, all have predeceased him. He attended village schools and then the Zentraschul until the Revolution interupted his education. In his twentieth year he accepted Christ as his Saviour, was baptized 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 destined to last over 49 years. Their first year was spent working in an old folks home and then ties with parents and family were broken as the young couple left for Canada. They came to Canada in 1925 and settled first in southern Saskatchewan. During the depression they moved to Steinbach, Manitoba, where they farmed for a number of years. When economic conditions began to improve, they moved again, in 1944, this 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 instill in his children the spiritual values which he himself cherished. A source of never ending thankfulness for him was the knowledge that all his children and grandchildren knew the Lord.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; three sons, Jake and wife Helen, Peter and wife Mary, and John and wife Hedy; four 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 Vancouver on August 22 with Rev. Loyal Funk and Rev. D. E. Wiens ministering.