Riediger, Peter Abram (1872-1969)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Jan 23 p. 30

Birth date: 1872 May 17

text of obituary:

PETER ABRAM RIEDIGER

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God" (Hebrew 4:9). "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore . .' . we fly away" (Ps. 90:10). There are a privileged few of God's children whose years exceed the fourscore years and ten but then they too pass on. On December 12, the Lord called to himself Peter Abram Riediger, eldest member of the Coaldale MB Church.

Born in 1872 in Rosenort, South Russia, he lived in Fischau during his early childhood and later in Lichtenau. In 1894 he married Katherina Penner of Lindenau and up to the time of her passing in 1957 he shared joys and sorrows with her. God blessed their union with 15 children. Four sons and two daughters predeceased him. In 1906 they sold their farm in Lindenau to move to Klinock. There God miracuiouslly saved their lives when bandits raided their home and demanded the money. It was during these difficult years that he chose Christ as his Saviour, was baptized and joined the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Lugnosk.

When religious freedom in Russia became restricted, the Riedigers in 1926 emigrated to Canada. They first made their home in Stavely, Alberta, then Vauxhall and in 1948 moved to Coaldale.

Except for his blindness during the last eight years of his life, Mr. Riediger enjoyed fairly good health. He was first hospitalized on December 2 after the second of two strokes. He lived to be 97 1/2 years.

Left to mourn his passing, are two sons, seven daughters, five sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, 48 grandchildren, 94 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.

Funeral services were conducted in the Coaldale Church on December 15. "The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy ... " (Isa. 35:10) was in essence the message brought by Rev. H.H. Kornelsen. Rev. D.J. Pankratz, officiating at the service, chose to speak on, "The righteous hath hope in death" (Provo 14: 32). Prayer and the reading of 1 Thess. 4:13 constituted the graveside service.