Fast, Elise Tiahrt (1867-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jan 9 p. 10

Birth date: 1867 Mar 1

text of obituary:

MRS. ELISE TIAHRT FAST

Mrs. Elise Tiahrt Fast of Reedley, Calif., daughter of Sievrt [sic Siewert] Tiahrt and Sara Franz, was born at Montau, Germany on March 1, 1867. She departed from this life at Haley's Haven, Kingsburg, Calif. on Dec.30, 1957, at 10:30 p. m. to be with her Lord and Savior. She attained the age of 90 years and 10 months.

As a young girl of 12, she came with her parents to America and settled near Beatrice, Neb. Here she made her public confession of Jesus Christ as her Savior, was baptized by Elder Gerhard Penner and became a member of the First Mennonite Church. Here she also entered holy wedlock with Nikolas Fast on May 17, 1883, Rev. Henry Zimmerman officiating. To this union were born six children of which the two oldest, Anna and Elise, have gone to their eternal reward.

In 1898 the family moved to the Paso Robles community and continued farming for a livelihood. In 1909 they moved to Aberdeen, Idaho. When Mr. Fast died in 1918, Mrs. Fast with her family moved back to Paso Robles again before coming to Reedley in 1929. At Reedley she became a member of the First Mennonite Church and maintained a live interest in the ongoing work of the church and community.

To most people she was known as “Tante Fast.” This means much more than is apparent on the surface. The twinkle in her eyes spoke of understanding, perseverence [sic] and conviction. She found her resourcefulness in the words of wisdom: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5, 6). She found much joy in life, and although she lost her parents at an early age and encountered many hardships in her long life, her trust in the promise allowed her to approach life in simplicity and to be helpful to those next to her. She is remembered for her great love and care for her family.

She was the last of a family of ten children. She leaves to cherish her memory, four children, Gustav of Kent, Wash., Elfrieda, Mrs. Herman Neufeld of Reedley, William of Pocatello, Idaho, Helen, Mrs. Paul Sellers of Reedley; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and a host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the First Mennonite Church of Reedley on Jan. 3, 1958, 10:00 a. m. Mrs. Arthur Krehbiel was organist. Rev. Leonard Leisy of Fresno, a nephew, sang “Saved by Grace.” A trio — Mrs. Alvin Friesen, Mrs. Robert Harder, and Mrs. Aaron J. Epp — sang two numbers. The congregation sang “O Pow'r of Love” using the German language. The pastor, Aaron J. Epp, used Psalm 16:11 as the text.

She was buried in the Reedley cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Jan 28 p. 64