Willems, Sam (1918-2004)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2004 Aug 13 p. 33

Birth date: 1918 Mar 25

text of obituary:

SAM WILLEMS

Sam Willems died July 8. He was born Mar. 25, 1918 to Henry A. and Augusta Willems near Waldheim, Sask. He attended Bethany Bible Institute, Prairie Bible Institute and MB Bible College. He married Elizabeth Friesen Oct. 18, 1942 in Hepburn, Sask. They farmed in the Rose River School District, developing a new grain and feedlot farm near by. He was active in Brotherfield MB Church as choir director and moderator and served on the boards of Bethany Bible Institute, Redberry Bible Camp, Mennonite Trust Ltd., Saskatchewan and Canadian MB Conferences. He felt God's special touch in his life due to a miraculous recovery from a serious early childhood illness. They retired from farming in 1984, moving to Hepburn, and later to Saskatoon, where they attended West Portal MB Church. They enjoyed travelling. Elizabeth died in 1995. Predeceased by Elizabeth, infant son Claire, 2 brothers, 1 sister, he is mourned by daughters Edith Janzen and Joan Grunau; 5 grandchildren; 1 brother; 2 sisters. The funeral was July 12 in West Portal Church.