Block, Peter (1905-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Apr 27 p. 35

Birth date: 1905 Aug 29

text of obituary:

PETER BLOCK

Peter Block of Clearbrook, B.C. died peacefully on January 5. He was born on August 29, 1905 to Henry and Maria (nee Derksen) Block in Podolsk, southern Russia. His father died in 1922, making the time of famine very difficult for the family. The family immigrated to Canada in 1924, arriving in Winkler, Man. and later settling in Gruenthal, Man. On November 29, 1927 he married Aganetha Peters in Rush Lake, Sask. In 1928 he accepted the Lord as his Saviour at an evangelistic meeting conducted by Rev. Frank Wiens. His Christian joy became increasingly evident as the years progressed. In 1929 the couple moved to Herbert, Sask. where he began work as a mechanic. He and his wife were baptized and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church. Four children were born to the couple. In 1937 the family moved to Swan River, Man., where they enjoyed the fellowship at the German Baptist Church. They moved again to Yarrow, B.C. in 1944, and to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1951, where he continued work as mechanic in both places and eventually acquired his own garage. He experienced heart attacks in 1963 and 1969, the second of which forced his retirement, and his health declined steadily in the last few years.

He is survived by his wife Nettie; two daughters, Ema, Prince George, B.C and Dora (Mrs. Frank) Friesen, Aldergrove, B.C.; two sons, John and Ernie, both of Prince George; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and two sisters.