Esau, John (1900-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Nov 23 p. 30

Birth date: 1900 July 30

text of obituary:

JOHN AND EKATERINA ESAU

John and Ekaterina Esau of Clearbrook, B.C. died within seven days of each other, Mrs. Esau on October 10 and Mr. Esau on October 17. Ekaterina was born on April 14, 1898 to Peter and Eva Wiens in Kleefeld, Molotschna, Russia; received Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord in her early 20s, and was baptized at Friedensruhe; became a member of the Allianz Gemeinde at Lichtfelde. John J. was born on July 30, 1900 in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban, Russia to Johann and Sara Esau; received Christ at age 15, was baptized at Suworovsky and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1917 the Esau family moved to Molotschna, and in 1922 back to the Kuban. John and Katherine were married on February 6, 1925 in Kleefeld by Rev. Rosenfeld; immigrated to Canada in 1926; during three years in Manitoba they recommitted their lives to the Lord; moved to Ready Made, Alta. in 1929; moved to Chilliwack area of B.C. and ran a farm. Mrs. Esau had a stroke in 1961 and entered Menno Hospital in 1968. The couple joined the Clearbrook MB Church, where Mr. Esau sang in the choirs.

They leave to mourn one daughter, Katie and husband Otto; seven sons and wives: John and Sophie, Peter and Edith, Abe and Betty, Henry and Elizabeth, Jake and Helen, Dave and Helen and Walter and Lenora; 32 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; Mrs. Esau's two sisters and one brother; Mr. Esau's two brothers and four sisters. The funerals were held in the Clearbrook MB Church on October 15 and 19, with pastor John Baerg, Herman Lenzmann, Peter Unger and George Thielmann officiating.