Neufeld, Isaac I. (1881-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Nov 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1881 Sep 6

text of obituary:

ISAAC I. NEUFELD

Isaac I. Neufeld, son of Isaac and Aganetta [Aganetha] Flaming Neufeld, was born Sep. 6, 1881 at Windom, Minn. Here he attended school. The family moved to Canada in the spring of 1899. They were pioneer farmers in the Brotherfield area near Waldheim, Sask.

As a young man he became convicted of his need of the Savior during evangelistic meetings being held by Peter Wedel, a young missionary candidate. He was one of seven young people baptized by Abram Buhler on Sept. 14, 1902.

He married Susie Sperling in 1905. She died in 1906 shortly after a daughter was born to them. In 1907 he married Nettie Dyck. Three sons and a daughter were born to this union. An infant son and this mother died in 1912.

On March20, 1913 he was united in marriage to Maria Gloeckler at the Brotherfield Mennonite Brethren Church with Rev. David Dyck officiating. Four young, motherless children who had been cared for by relatives were now reunited in a newly established home. Had Mr. Neufeld's health permitted, their golden wedding anniversary would have been publicly observed last spring. A son born to this union died in infancy.

Until 1930 he was a farmer in Saskatchewan. During their retirement they often traveled. They moved to Shafter, Calif. In 1945 and transferred their membership to the Shafter M.. B. Church on April 19, 1949. He was a praying husband, father and grandfather. He spent much of his time remodelling and building houses, being self-employed. In 1952 they moved to Santa Cruz, Calif.

In November, 1962 they attended the M. B. Conference in Reedley and after that visited in Shafter. Here, on Nov. 17 while crossing a street, he suffered a stroke and was hospitalized until his death early Sunday morning Oct. 13, 1963, having reached the age of 82 years, one month and six days.

Among those preceding him in death were a brother and three sisters. Survivors include his wife; a daughter Susie and husband Menno J. Bergen of Campbell, Calif.; two sons, Elmer D. and wife Lyllian of Shafter, and Lawrence I. and wife Anne of Waldheim, Sask.; another daughter, Victoria and husband Dr. Charles M. Gossen of St. Catherines, Ont.; seven grandsons, seven granddaughters; 10 great-grandsons, eight great-granddaughters; twin sisters, Mrs. Cornelius Schmor of Clearbrook. B. C. and Mrs. Frank J. Baerg of Saskatoon, Sask.

Funeral services were conducted by his pastor. Rev. Henry Dick, in the Shafter M. B. Church on Oct. 17, 1963. Mr. Neufeld's nephew, Dr. Ruben [sic Reuben] M. Baerg of Fresno, Calif. brought the message and a mixed quartet sand. Burial was made in the Shafter, Calif. cemetery.