Sukkau, George Heinrich (1903-1965)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1965 Feb 18 p. 3

Birth date: 1903 Sep 29

text of obituary:

Well-Known Leader In M. B. Conference Dies in Winnipeg

Winnipeg, Man. — Funeral services for Rev. G. H. Sukkau, 61, well-known Mennonite Brethren church leader and teacher, were conducted at the Elmwood M. B. Church here Feb. 3. He died Jan. 31 in Concordia Hospital after an illness of several months.

From 1959 until shortly before his death Rev. Sukkau had served as treasurer of the Canadian M. B. Conference. He was also an executive member of the Board of General Welfare and an associate minister of the Elmwood Church.

Born and educated in Russia, Rev. Sukkau came to Canada in 1924. For a number of years the family resided at Arnaud, Man. where he was ordained to the ministry in 1937. From 1939 until 1952, except for three years when he completed work for his degree at Tabor College in Kansas, he served on the faculty of Elim Bible College, Yarrow, B. C.

From 1952 to 1959 he and his wife served in South America under the Board of General Welfare. He was a school principal in Paraguay and Brazil, and also director of the South American Theological Institute.

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Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary 1965 Mar 05 p. 18

text of obituary:

GEORGE H. SUKKAU

George H. Sukkau, beloved husband and father of an only daughter, Irma, was born in South Russia (Terek), on September 29, 1903. Here he spent a happy childhood. His parents were Henry and Anna (nee Martens)Sukkau. In 1916 the family moved to the village of Waldheim (Molotschna) where he attended the elementary school. At the age of 16 he made peace with God and upon his confession of faith was baptized and received into the Rueckenauer MB Church some 4 years later. With his conversion he dedicated himself to his Master for service. It seemed quite natural that he should be called to the preaching ministry to which he was ordained in the Arnaud Mennonite Brethren Church in 1937. He completed his education later by attending the Winkler Bible School and graduating from Tabor College with a B.A. and Th.B degree.

In 1924 he was joined in matrimony to Lena Janzen with whom he was privileged to share 40 years and 6 months of loving marriage. Joys were doubled and sorrows divided because in every case they were shared jointly. The Lord gave them one daughter Irma, which made their circle even more complete. In 1924 the family emigrated to Canada, first to Markham Ontario, and one year later (in 1925) to Arnaud, Manitoba, where with other relatives they established a home and a Christian community. Here they spent some of their most blessed years.

In 1939 Mr. Sukkau was asked to teach in Yarrow Bible School, which after some deliberation he accepted as his God-appointed place, and which he filled for the next 14 years. This service was terminated by moving to South America where he also taught in the Mennonite Bible Schools for another 7 years. These were taxing but blessed years of service.

After his return from South America, Mr. Sukkau was entrusted with the Canadian MB Conference treasury. This gave a little more time for being at home and up to his decease he enjoyed this and other work entrusted to him. The family joined the Elmwood Church, where he had so many friends and coworkers. He served in the preaching ministry and in various committees in the church, always counting it a privilege.

Brother Sukkau enjoyed good health until last year. In December 1964 he submitted to a medical investigation, when he learned of his advanced malignancy. As always he wanted to know the truth and faced it with equinimity. Numerous details could be regulated and his departure was a triumph in his spiritual life.

He leaves to mourn his much too early departure, his wife, and one daughter, Irma, now in nurses training; one brother, Henry and family; one sister, Mrs D. Krueger and family; one Sister, Miss Annie Sukkau in Winnipeg and a number of relatives and a host of friends. They mourn, but not as such who have no hope. "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21.

On behalf of his church, we would add that Rev. Sukkau was a dependable, understanding minister of the gospel. He thought young with the young and could speak wisely to the older. His love was strong and his convictions were firm for his church and for the unadulterated teaching of the gospel. In his heart he had room for all Christians and his testimony rang clear and sound whether in his hearty singing, warm preaching, or thorough teaching. We bless his memory.