Mastre, Isaac N. (1860-1943)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jul 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1860 May 6

text of obituary:

ISAAC N. MASTRE

Isaac N. Mastre was born May 6, 1860, near Red Wing, Minn. In his youth he moved with his parents to Washington and Oregon, where they lived for three years. From there they moved to Clear Lake, Iowa. In the year 1879 he with his family and many neighbors drove with oxen to the state of North Dakota, where Father Mastre took up a homestead and was among the first settlers in that community.

November 16, 1887, he was united in marriage with Anna Prestholt. They were blessed with eight children.

At about 30 years of age he felt his lost condition and found peace with God. After considerable searching and many prayers it was revealed to him where to go to find a people with whom he could feel united in spirit. Through much opposition and many hard trials from without he laid a foundation from which he never wavered.

In 1891 he was added to the Church of God in Christ (Mennonite) through baptism by the late Brother John Holdeman. On December 25, 1892, he was ordained to the ministry, also by Brother Holdeman.

He was preceded in death by two sons, one dying in infancy and the other, Frank, passing to his reward in 1930, at the age of 36 years. Also four grandchildren preceded him in death.

Those surviving are the sorrowing wife, who has shared joys and sorrows together with him for 55 years, and the following sons and daughters: Albert, Galva, Kansas; Gust, Hillsboro,Kansas; Dora, Summerdale, Ala; Kathrine, Galva, Kansas; Ida, Langdon, N. Dak.; Clifford, Grafton, N. Dak.; three sons-in-law, four daughters-in-law, 26 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, one half-brother and thee half-sisters.

Father was much concerned about the saving of souls and spent much of his time in mission work. Feeling burdened for the souls of men, and especially those of his own nationality, he would often go out and spread the Gospel wherever the Spirit led, — sowing the seed and trusting his labor into the hands of God.

He took up his homestead at Grafton, N. Dak., where he continued to live for 52 years, enduring much hardship in the early pioneer days. The last 18 months he spent with is children in Alabama and Kansas.

Father had a light stroke six years ago and from then on he has been declining in health. Just a week before his death he suffered another stroke. He also fell and broke his hip, from which he never recovered. He bore his suffering patiently, often expressing his desire to be with his Savior. He reached the age of 83 years, 1 month, and 12 days.

Thus closed the life of another witness who shall be long remembered.

Father was tired and weary,
And longed for his call to come.
Where he could be with Jesus
And rest in his heavenly home.

Although here in life we miss him
Precious memories are lingering near
Yet we know he is peacefully resting,
And waiting to meet us up there.

— Mother and children.