Riediger, Jacob (1907-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Oct 26 p. 25

Birth date: 1907 Dec 27

text of obituary:

JACOB RIEDIGER

Jacob Riediger passed away Aug. 29. He and his sister Mary were born Dec. 27, 1907 to Peter and Katharina Riediger in Klinok, Neu Samara, Russia. The family immigrated to Acme, Alta. in 1926 and settled on the Oxley Ranch in Stavely, Alta. in 1927. Here they began a house church. He committed his life to God July 28, 1929, was baptized and joined the MB church. He was Sunday school teacher and choir leader in the newly formed church. He attended Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School 1930-33, gaining a love for the Bible. In 1934 the family moved to Vauxhall, Alta. to farm. He continued to teach Sunday school and vacation Bible school, did youth work, conducted the choir and preached. He married Sarah Bergen Oct. 12, 1939. They farmed in Vauxhall. They moved to Pincher Creek, Alta. in 1948, then to Tofield, Alta. 4 years later. Sarah died in 1964, leaving him with 9 children aged 8 to 23. Retiring from farming at age 70, he moved to Tofield, then to Coaldale 4 years later, where he used his preaching and teaching skills, serving the German-speaking members of Coaldale MB Church until age 87. He is remembered as a man of faith and prayer, a preacher, a teacher, a writer, a poet, a singer, a musician, a lover of the land and a man of generosity, honour, integrity and honesty. Predeceased by Sarah, daughters Marilyn Gould in 1975 and Linda Sukkau in 1995, a grandson and 13 siblings, he is mourned by sons Al of Edmonton, Ed of Sherwood Park, Alta., Walt of Tofield and Vic of St. Albert, Alta.; daughters Hilda Dueck of Tofield, Lois Collins of Winnipeg and Joanne Riediger-Duebel of Edmonton; 20 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 1 in Tofield Gospel Church, with Rudy Heidebrecht ministerng.