Esau, Gustav R. (1863-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 27 p. 3

Birth date: 1863 Nov 13

text of obituary:

GUSTAV R. ESAU

Gustav R. Esau was born November 13, 1863, at Neukirch, West Prussia. His parents were Jacob and Justina Esau. He received his early school training at Neukirch and later in Tiegenhof. In 1879 he was baptized by Elder Johann Wiens at the Village church of Ladekop.

Since his parents died early, he was free to plan his own future. He chose adventure in the new country, coming to western Nebraska in 1884, where he homesteaded. Later he came to Beatrice, where he worked for the J. G. Wiebe Lumber company for three years.

He bought a farm near Plymouth in 1891. In this same year he married Johanna Wiebe. God blessed this home with four children, of whom two sons preceded him in death: Gustav in 1910 and Adolph in 1941. These were hard experiences but the words in Jeremiah 29:11 are assuring "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end."

In 1895 the family moved to the vicinity of Hoag, where they lived until 1919. After this they made their home in Beatrice. They were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding in 1941.

Mother passed away in 1944. Since then father was lonely and desired to be with His God. The Lord chose to quietly call father home on October 30, 1947, at 9:50 p.m. at the ripe old age of 83 years 11 months and 17 days He leaves one daughter, Mrs. G. A. Penner, one son, Louie H. Esau, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, one son-in-law, 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law.

"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are min." Isaiah 42:16.