Esau, Agnes Suderman (1923-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Oct 04 p. 30

Birth date: 1923 Sep 02

text of obituary:

AGNES ESAU

Agnes Gertrude (nee Suderman) Esau was born in Oligino, Russia on September 1923. Her parents then emigrated to Canada settling after a year in Port Rowan. The new life in Canada included many hardships, and Agnes had to stop school at age 13 to help supplement the family income by working in a factory. During this time she made personal commitment to Christ, followed by baptism and joining the Mennonite Brethren Church.

She completed high school through correspondence and then went to Winkler Bible Institute in Manitoba and on to Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Education degree in 1950.

During this time she met John Esau, and while he was completing his undergraduate study she took a year of nurses training. The following year they were married.

The sudden death of her mother the next year greatly influenced her life, developing new desire to dedicate her life for the service of others.

During this time John and Agnes felt the call to go to Zaire as missionaries. They were accepted by the Mennonite Brethren Boar of Foreign Missions while in 1954, and spent five exciting and rewarding years, from 1955 to 1960, in the Congo. While he did itinerary and teaching work in the villages, Agnes ministered to African women in the homes and cared for her husband and five children. Their work was terminated when civil war broke out in 1960.

After more study and a sixth child they were led to Truro, Nova Scotia, putting their roots down in Truro and Debert.

While establishing rich ministries in the home, church and community, she continued her pursuit of learning, studying at Nova Scotia's Teachers College and Mount Allison University in 1971-72. It was three months prior to graduation that she became aware of her terminal affliction.

Through much suffering and death, she went to her eternal reward. Her life could be summed up with the words in Timothy 4: 7,8. She is survived by her husband John; her six children: Mary Lois (Mrs.) Katherine Grace Thiessen, John Irvin, Laurel Esther, Carl Allen and Lillian Ruth. She leaves behind also her father, stepmother, three brothers, three sisters and many cousins and in-laws.