Friesen, Maria Fast (1879-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Sep 17 p. 15

Birth date: 1879 Jul 25

text of obituary:

MRS. J. M. FRIESEN

i, Maria Fast (now Friesen), was born July 25, 1879, at Lushton, Neb. to Jacob and Maria Penner Fast, I, was reared in a Christian home, yet this was not sufficient. During a revival in our community I also realized I was a sinner. Through repentance and confession I attained the saving faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Having found peace with God, I was baptized in 1898.

In April 1902 I was married to Jacob J. Friesen. Sorrow came in the loss of two daughters, one at the age of one, the other when three days old.

The Lord gave us three more daughters and three sons, all of whom have become children of God, for which we have often thanked the Lord.

Another important experience was my major surgery in 1944, followed by several additional operations. The Lord was gracious to us in giving me recovery again. The Lord still does miracles today as I can still do my work.

(Thus far mother had written her life's story in German in 1948.)

The major surgery to which mother referred was for removal of a cancerous tumor, from which the doctors gave only a slight chance of recovery.

On May 27 she suffered a stroke, from which she never recovered. She passed away at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge,, Kan., on June 11, 1964, reaching the age of 84 years, ten months, and 17 days.

Mother based her salvation upon I John: 1:9. After she was baptized by her father, Elder Jacob Fast, she was accepted into the Krimmer Mennonite Brethren Church at Jansen, Neb. When in 1919 our parents established residence in the Inman, Kan. community, they transferred their membership on the Zoar K. M. B. Church.

In 1942 our parents retired from the farm to Inman. In 1952, relatives and friends gathered in the church to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their wedding.

After father passed away in 1959, mother remained by herself in her home for three years. The last two years were spent in the Pleasant View Rest Home in Inman. Mother had memorized many hymns, poem s and Bible verses in her youth, which were a constant source of comfort and inspiration.

Among those who cherish her memory are six children and their companions, Marie and Alvin Siemens of Buhler, Arnold and Katherine Friesen of Inman, Jacob M., Jr. and Maryann Friesen of Buhler, Abe L. of Hutchinson, Hulda and Menno Prieb of Inman, and Katherine and Arnold Penner, Inman; four sisters, Elizabeth, Mrs. C. E. Piett of Buhler, Mrs. Anna Ratzloff of Reedley, Calif.; Mrs. Justina Friesen of Hutchinson, and Bertha, Mrs. Theo. Heinrichs, Reedley; one brother, J. P. Fast, Reedley; 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Those that have gone on before are her husband, two infant daughters, three sisters, and two daughters-in-law. — The Bereaved Family.