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Waechter, Ernest (1893-1972)
Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Jun 30 p. 31
Birth date: 1893 Oct 18
text of obituary:
ERNEST WAECHTER
Ernest Waechter, of Kelstern, Saskatchewan, was born in Alexanderfeldt, Russia, on October 18, 1893; his parents were Ernest and Emily Leippi Waechter. His father died when Ernest was not yet born; his mother remarried while he was still an infant, and died when he was nine years old. His step-father then remarried.
When Ernest was 13, the family moved to Germany, where he completed his schooling. At 21 Ernest returned to Russia, but the war breaking out shortly thereafter, he was drafted and served with the troops in Turkey until the fighting stopped.
In 1924, at age 30, he emigrated to Canada, settling first with the John Sapinsky's at Bateman, Sask. In 1926 he took up a homestead near Kelstern, Sask.
Ernest was saved in 1932 and was baptized the same year and joined the Elim Mennonite Brethren Church. He remained a faithful member and attended church services regularly until the last 8 months of his life.
In 1950 Ernest was married to Agnes Goertzen of Swift Current. Two children blessed this union, Ruth Elaine and Daniel. In 1957 the family moved close to the hamlet of Kelstern. After many years of hard work, his health diminished, and he spent the last few years in semi retirement. He died en May 29, at age 78.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Agnes, his two children, one half-brother, Fred Goldbeck of Calgary, and one half sister, Christine Zilser of Maple Ridge, B.C five nieces and five nephews in Canada, and many relatives in Germany. He was pre-deceased by his parents, two brothers, and one half sister. The whereabouts of his four stepbrothers is not known.
The family is saddened by his sudden passing but is comforted by the fact that they shall meet again in glory.
The funeral services were held in the Elim MB Church, in Kelstern on June 1, with Rev. J. J. Thiessen officiating, assisted by Otto Biech. An octet sang two numbers in song. Interment took place at the E1im MB cemetery.