Nachtigal, Olga Ellen Fast (1904-1941)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1941 Sep 2 p. 15

Birth date: 1904 Jan 12

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1941 Sep 3 p. 5

text of obituary:

Mrs. Olga Ellen Fast Nachtigal

Olga Ellen Fast Nachtigal, youngest daughter of H. J. and Aganetha Becker Fast, was born January 12, 1904, at the home of her parents on a farm located in Mountain Lake township, in Minnesota. Here she grew up to young womanhood. Her early education she received in the country school near her home and later she finished her high school education in Mountain Lake. Subsequently she attended Bethel College, graduating with the B. A. degree in 1932. The following year she taught in Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kansas.

On October 19, 1933, she was married to Abraham A. Nachtigal and they established their home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Here they were privileged to live in happy fellowship for seven and a half years. Two boys were born to them, Donald Abraham, now six years old, and Harold David, four years.

She became ill with aplastic anemia a year and a half ago. For several months she was cared for in a hospital in Winnipeg, without, however, receiving real help. About ten months ago it was considered best to bring her to Mountain Lake, Minn., to the home of her parents to receive further care and medical attention. But all the efforts of her physicians, together with the care in the parental home and for short periods in the Bethel Hospital in Mountain Lake, succeeded only in giving her temporary improvements and relief. During her prolonged illness she received about seventy blood transfusions and three bone marrow transfusions. She succumbed to her long illness on Sunday, August 10, at 4:20 P.M. and entered peacefully into her heavenly rest. She reached the age of thirty-seven years, seven months and eighteen days.

Her patience under suffering with never a word of complaint, her never failing cheerfulness and hopefulness, as well as her amazing will to live in order to fulfill her function as wife and mother of her two boys were an inspiration to all who visited her or cared for her during her prolonged illness. Her whole life was consecrated to God from the time she first gave her heart to the Lord and upon her desire was baptized by her pastor, Rev. H. H. Regier, and received into the membership of the Bethel Church. And now her faith has received its reward and she has received eternal restoration of health. Her body was laid to rest in the local cemetery Wednesday, Aug. 13, waiting for the great resurrection day.

Her husband, her two boys, her parents, her parents-in-law, her two brothers, John B. Fast and Dr. H. A. Fast, Newton, Kansas, her three sisters, Aganetha Fast from China, Mrs. H. W. Wall, Dallas, Oregon, Marie Kay Fast, Detroit, Michigan, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, her relatives and her many friends are sorrowing because of her early passing.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to those who so generously donated their blood in the effort to restore health and strength to the departed one. We would likewise wish to express our sincere thanks to all our relatives and friends who, by their visits, their letters, their gifts of flowers, their songs, and other services of love, so often brought cheer and encouragement to her during her long illness. God bless you all for these thoughtful and unselfish expressions of your concern. — The Family

The following poem was sent to Mrs. Ola [sic Olga] Fast Nachtigal by her brother-in-law, Dave Nachtigal, in June. This poem was a great blessing and comfort to her.

Dear Olga:
     When out my find [sic mind] wanders,
     And when it ponders
     On all you went through.
How you must suffer so
While the months onward flow,
And you always show
Patience and hope —

     A wave of shame rushed over my brow,
     And all pride it crushes
     While 'neath it I bow.
Young, strong, and healthy me
Seldom waits patiently,
Often does oversee
God's boundless grace.

     So far from your dear ones
     God lets you roam,
     So far fr from your near ones,
     Far from your home.
Some day you will see them all,
Let not your courage fall;
God, He will hear your call;
He will not fail.

     When earthly physicians
     Of highest degree
     Cannot heal conditions,
     Then surely can He.
He reaches forth His arm,
Tenderly stills alarm,
Gently removes all harm,
O, how divine!

     The noble endurance,
     Which you have reached,
     Must gain His assurance
     That you shall be heald.
Always new courage lend
From your most loyal Friend,
Until your journey's end
Brings you safely home.

     Exultant, victorious,
     You'll stand by the Throne
     Of God the most glorious,
     The greatest king known.
Then in the heavenly light,
Sparkling with jewels bright,
The king will hold in sight
Your precious crown!
     Dave Nightingale, June 17, 1941

Two days before her soul took its flight, Dr. P. A. Penner visited her in the hospital. he asked her: "Olga, do you at any time have doubts as to your standing toward Jesus Christ? Are you ready to go if the Lord should so desire?" To the first question she replied as a heavenly smile lit up her face: "None, I know that the Lord is mine." To the second question she replied. "Yes, if the Lord so wills, I am ready to go." "Praise the Lord for this."

The Mennonite obituary: 1941 Sep 9 p. 14