Stobbe, John J. 1902-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1976 Dec 10 p. 33

Birth dte: 1902 July 18

text of obituary:

JOHN J. STOBBE

John J . Stobbe was born to John and Margaretha (nee Friesen) Stobbe on July 18, 1902 in Saworoskay, south Russia. At the age of nine years, he and the Stobbe family moved to Laird, Sask. Under the influence of Christian parents who lived and presented the Word of God in a positive way, John accepted Christ when he was 16. He was baptized that same year and immediately became involved in church work.

At the age of 22 he married Margaret Derksen at Borden, Sask. where they farmed for five years. In 1929 they moved to Agassiz, B.C., where he began his public church ministry. This ministry included preaching and providing church leadership. This responsibility grew when he moved to the Abbotsford area in 1940. In 1944 his wife passed away.

He was now in the position of being assistant church leader of the South Abbots· ford Mennonite Brethren Church, a widower with nine children and no secure income. God supplied a partner in September, 1944, when he married Susie (Hiebert) Friesen.

He was asked to lead the South Abbots· ford Church in 1950, which he did for nine years, made possible by the unlimited sup· port of his wife, family and friends. At the age of 58 years he moved into Abbotsford, and continued farming and working in the church as assistant leader. He never retired from doing the Lord's work.

He leaves to mourn his beloved wife Susie; 17 children and their spouses, David Friesen, Peter Friesen, Irvin Stobbe, Pauline (Mrs. Henry) Bergen, Walter Stobbe, Menno Stobbe, Clarence Stobbe, John Friesen, Susan (Mrs. Walter) Wiebe, Alvin Stobbe, Victor Stobbe, John Stobbe, Ruth (Mrs. George) Sawatsky, Samuel Stobbe, Ben, Stobbe, and Daniel Stobbe, all of whom live in B.C., and Katherine (Mrs. Ralph) Atkinson of Souris, Man.; 44 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two foster children; six brothers and two sisters, Peter, Jacob, Abraham, Bill, George, Henry, (Mrs.) Mary Kornelson and (Mrs.) Margaret Falk; and a host of other relatives and friends.