Letkeman, David (1895-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Oct 04 p. 30

Birth date: 1895 March 01

text of obituary:

DAVID LETKEMAN

David Letkeman, son of John Letkeman and Agnes Siemens Letkeman, was born in Nikolaipol, Russia on March 1, 1895, and went to be with the Lord on August 15, at the age of 79.

He emigrated to Canada in 1912, at 17, where he continued his education and taught school for a number of years. In 1919 he was saved under the ministry of Rev. P. E. Penner, baptized and received into the Mennonite Brethren Church at Aberdeen, Sask. On December 26, 1920, he was married to Mary Sawatzky, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Sawatzky, at Aberdeen, Sask. In 1921 they moved to Reedley and in 1923 to Orland, California. He served as U.S. mail carrier for 15 years.

He loved the Lord and the Bible and served Him in various churches in different ways. In November 1942 he was ordained to the ministry by H.D. Wiebe and K.K. Willems in the Orland Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1944 that church called the Letkemans to the pastorate where they served faithfully for several years until he had to resign for health reasons.

In 1947 they moved to Dinuba, Calif. He was active in the extension work of the church there at Hartland and started his 1O-year writing ministry as editor of the Sunday school adult quarterly.

They moved to Capitola in 1966, where they shared in establishing a new church and celebrated t heir golden wedding anniversary.

Although he never enjoyed robust health in later years there was a constant battle with pain and frequent operations, but the Lord marvelously blessed and strengthened.

Often he longed for the coming of the Lord He leaves to mourn: his wife Mary; three brothers in Canada: John Letkeman in Abbotsford, B.C.; Jacob Letkeman in Saskatoon, Sask. and Bill Sawatzky in Chilliwack B.C.; one sister; Mary Letkeman in Vancouver; two sisters-in-law and their husbands living in Soquel: Agnes and Dave Fast, Helen and Dave Ewert; and a host of relatives and friends.