Fast, Elizabeth Poetker (1884-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 June 13 p. 31

Birth date: 1884 Feb 13

text of obituary:

ELIZABETH FAST

Elizabeth Fast was born in Russia on February 13, 1884 to Gerhard and Elizabeth Poetker. At the age of fourteen she received Christ as her Saviour and was baptized, and joined the Mennonite Brethren church at Alexanderheim where she actively served in Sunday school and choir.

In 1906 she was married to Henry Peter Fast, and they were blessed with three sons and three daughters, of which one daughter died in infancy. During the First World War they lost all their possessions and endured great hardships, but God's grace was sufficient for their needs.

Having lived in Wohldemfurst, Kuban for four years, they emigrated to Saskatchewan in 1924 and settled briefly in Langham and Hepburn. In 1925 the Fasts farmed at Colonsay until their move to Saskatoon in 1944.

They were privileged to celebrate their silver, golden and diamond weddings. Mr. Fast went to be with the Lord in 1970. She was a concerned and God-fearing mother who loved Eccl. 12:1 "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."

She died on May 10, in Saskatoon, leaving three sons, three daughters, sixteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and one sister in Russia. Rev. Henry Penner officiated at the funeral on May 14 in the Central MB Church.