Dick, Aaron A. (1882-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Oct 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1882 Feb 21

text of obituary:

AARON A. DICK

Aaron A. Dick was born on a farm seven miles northwest of Mountain Lake, Minn. on Feb. 21, 1882, and was called to be with the Lord on August 1, 1957, at ten o'clock a. m. at the age of 75 years, five months and 10 days.

He grew up in a family of eight brothers and two sisters (all of whom preceded him in death) in the home of Klaas and Katharina Neufeld Dick, where he acquired a rich Christian training which gave him direction in later life in his service in the community, in schools, churches and conference. At the age of 19, while he was teaching his first term of rural school, he with a number of his pupils accepted Salvation in Christ with peace and forgiveness through faith in His blood. The same year he was baptized upon the confession of his faith and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church of which he remained a faithful testimony.

He received his early training under capable teachers such as N. N. Hiebert, J. J. Balzer, and I. I. Bargen, through whom his ability to teach was awakened and whose influence was felt in his work in later life. His father desired to test his capabilities and wanted him to teach before he continued his further training for Christian service. After his first year of teaching, his father died suddenly and his father's desires could not be carried out. So he continued to teach in his home district, Carson township, for four years until his mother had adjusted herself. Then he took a thorough course in Pillsbury Academy at Owatona [sic Owatonna], Minn. and continued through the third year at Denison University at Granville, Ohio. This course he could not finish because of his health, which he always regretted. Later he finished his normal training at Saskatoon, Sask.

On June 24, 1909, he was united in marriage to Sara Voth, daughter of Elder Heinrich Voth. Since she was teaching in Manitoba, he chose to teach two years in the Burwalde rural school there. Thence he was called to the Rosthern Academy, and later taught at Herbert and in other schools in Saskatchewan. When the Lustre community in Montana was settled, they also established a home there in 1917. It meant facing the difficulties of pioneer life on the wide open prairies. Schools were built and very soon he was back with his profession, looking upon farming as an avocation.

When the church was organized in November 1917, he was chosen as assistant minister and ordained in July 1924. Not only did he serve in the community as minister, as a trustee of the schools and when necessary as teacher in the public and Bible school, but for 21 years he served, first as secretary, then as chairman of the Board of Home Missions, and for seven years on the Board of City Missions, to which he devoted much time and sincere effort until he had to retire because of failing health. In his travels he visited our young people in the various schools, counseling with and encouraging them.

In March 1940 his beloved wife suffered a physical collapse because of a heart ailment. Soon afterward he also developed a heart condition and they found in necessary to give up their cherished home on the range and to take up their abode in Mountain Lake, Minn. to enjoy the fellowship of friends and close relatives and to have more efficient medical care. Fifteen months later, on Jan. 15,1945, his beloved wife was called from his side. He felt this loss keenly, yet it was intensified three months later by the sudden death of his sister, Susie, Mrs. John H. Regier.

The following year the Lord directed him to Susanna Thiessen, a long time primary teacher at Dalmeny, Sask., and she became his companion at Abbotsford, British Columbia, in August of the same year. A mutual understanding with a high regard for each other prevailed between them and the Lord blessed them with happiness.

The Lord blessed the first union with four children who with their families mourn his departure. They are Luella and husband, Paul and two children, Lustre, Mont.; Ruth and husband, Henry Thomas, and three children, Mission, Texas; Ernest and wife, Lydia, and three children, Lustre, Mont.; and Karl and wife, Evelyn, and four children, Wolf Point, Mont.

He remained active and interested in all areas of life until the end. With the help of his travels he developed a special interest in people, their problems and progress. He made many friends, especially among the Christians, since he willingly shared their varied experiences and carried a sincere burden for the churches, especially of the Central District.

Now he rests, released from the spiritual struggles of this earthly pilgrimage and the limitations of an earthly tabernacle. We shall miss him but must concede “to be with the Lord is far better.” May his spirit of soul concern for Christ and His Kingdom fall on us, that he may through us continue to speak and work in a multilplied [sic] way. — The Family.