Paetkau, John (1889-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Mar 31 p. 31

Birth date: 1889 Aug 02

text of obituary:

JOHN PAETKAU

John Paetkau was born on August 2, 1889 in Petersdorf, Russia, the son of John and Anna Peters Paetkau. After high school in Chortitza, at the age of 20 years, he accepted Christ as his Saviour. Upon confession of his faith he was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren church in Nikolaipol. Three years later, in October, 1913, he married Katherine Claassen. The Lord gave them two children: a son, Jacob, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Annie, who was a joy and faithful support.

Mr. Paetkau served in the medical corps during the First World War. In 1919 the family fled to Chortitza and from there to Canada in 1923. Soon after arriving in Hepburn, Sask., Mr. Paetkau was appointed to the diaconate, a service he continued to give after they moved to Virgil, Ont., in 1942. In 1958 his beloved wife passed away. Two years later, in June of 1960, he married a widow, Anna Thiessen (nee Pauls). They moved to St. Catharines, Ont., in 1963, and to Tabor Manor in that city in 1976. Mr. Paetkau passed away after a period of illness on March 4, 1978.

Mr. Paetkau served the church as a deacon with faithfulness and sacrificial love. He enjoyed the singing in the church and the fellowship of God's children, regularly attending all church functions. He is survived by his second wife, Anna; her eight children and grandchildren; his daughter, Annie (Mrs. Jacob) Dick; three grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters; and many friends and relatives.