Fast, Gerhard (1856-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Nov 26 p. 8

Birth date: 1856 May 27

text of obituary:

ONE OF FOUNDERS OF BRUDERTALER CHURCH CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Mt. Lake, Minn., Nov. 19. — Death came Friday to one of Mountain Lake's oldest residents. Gerhard Fast, 86, died at 7:15 a. m. at his home here, following a serious illness of several weeks.

He was born in Gehortemgale, South Russia, on May 27, 1856. He came to this country in 1875 along with his parents and four brothers and sisters. The family settled on a farm northwest of Mountain Lake.

He was baptised by Elder Wilhelm Ewert when he was 20 years of age, and joined the Bruderthaler church and helped in a special way in the organization of this congregation.

He married Miss Helena Hamm on November 5, 1878 and they set up their home on a farm where they lived for over 40 years. In 1920, they moved to Mountain Lake with their three youngest children. Mrs. Fast died in 1929.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fast, of whom seven survive their father's death. They are: David G. Fast, John G. Fast, Mrs. D. D. Stoesz and Herman G. Fast, all of Mountain Lake; Mrs. Jacob A. Wiebe, Bingham Lake; and Henry G. Fast oand George A. fast, Dallas, Oregon. All of the children were at their father's side before he died. — Mt. Lake Observer.