Voth, Anna Fast (1885-1982)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 May 27 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Jul 10

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 Aug 12 p. 11

ANNA VOTH

Anna Fast Voth, daughter of Isaac and Susanna Wedel Fast, was born July 10, 1885 at Goessel, Kan. She received her elementary education in the Gordon School near Goessel. Since her parental home was across the road from the school, it was a rooming and boarding place for many teachers who taught at Gordon School.

She was baptized upon the confession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior on May 31, 1903 by the Elder Peter Balzer and received as a member of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, whose faithful member she remained until her death.

She married Peter S. Voth Oct 21, 1906, who preceded her in death Dec. 29, 1962, after sharing 56 years of married life. They settled on a farm two miles south of Goessel, where they pursued the occupation of farming. She was a hard worker, doing her housework and helping with the farmwork whenever necessary. In October of 1932 they were privileged to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and in October of 1956 they had the joy of celebrating their 50th anniversary.

To this union were born six children, two of whom died in infancy.

Church life was a priority in her life, and as long as health permitted she attended church services regularly. She led a life of prayer and read her Bible daily, having read through the whole Bible. She was an avid reader and read many good books. The Lord blessed her with a beautiful voice. One of her favorite songs in later years was “Be Still My Soul, the Lord is on Thy Side.”

She spent her last nine years as a resident in the Bethesda Home in Goessel. She enjoyed good health all her life, except for having arthritis for many years, which had a crippling effect on her in later years.

She quietly slipped away to her eternal reward May 22, 1982 at the age of 96.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Hilda and husband Alvin Buller of Lehigh and Evelyn of Goessel, and two sons, Rudolf and Elmer H. and wife Josephine of Rt. 2, Newton. One daughter-in-law, Clara, preceded her in death. Eleven grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren survive.