Biographies Home

Yarrow, British Columbia

Edited by
Esther Epp Harder, Edwin Lenzmann, and Elmer Wiens

Biographies and Obituaries

BECHER, Salomon and Ella


Salomon Becher

1896 – 1987

My beloved husband and father of our children, Salomon Becher was born March 21, 1896 at Ober-Gruppe, Kreis Schmetz, Prussia. His parents were Johannes and Marie Becher nee Franz.

There were three children in their family: Helene, Salomon and Anne.

After their father passed away in 1908, Salomon became the supporter of his mother and had to work hard on the farm where they lived.

In 1910, he was baptized upon confession of his faith and accepted into the Church at Ober-Gruppe.

Shortly before the death of his mother, he took over the responsibility of the farm and on November 10th 1927, he married Ella Ewert. Their marriage was blessed with five children. One small son passed away at an early age.

After the end of World War 2, the family moved to Oldenburg, West Germany, where they lived for seven years.

In 1952 they were able to immigrate to Canada where they joined theYarrow First Mennonite Church where they celebrated their Silver Wedding in 1952 and their Golden Wedding in 1977. Photo taken at their Golden Wedding.


On November 23, 1983, Salomon moved to the Menno Home in Clearbrook. In spring he complained of great weariness and he was brought to the Abbotsford MSA Hospital where he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital for intensive treatment of his cancer, when this was completed he was transferred back to Chilliwack General Hospital. At Chilliwack Hospital his family and friends could visit him often. The ministers of our church Pastors A. Fast, and John Unrau also visited him.

However, in 1987 he suddenly became very ill and he had severe pain, so he was transferred back to the Abbotsford MSA Hospital where he had emergency surgery for a hernia.

On January 27 father was admitted to the Menno Hospital. On March 3 he experienced great pain and was brought to the Abbotsford hospital. Finally his wish came true when he passed away on March 5th 1987 at about 7:50 am. He was calm and content in the Lord, which the Lord will also grant to us, his grieving family, this holy contentment. He was a true faithful caring Father to us; a father who prayed with us, suffered and also was happy with us.

He leaves behind his loving wife Ella Becher; one son Kurt; and three daughter and their husbands: Herta & Gotthard Rehsler; Liesel & Jake Banman and Dorothy & Wayne Cummings; one sister Anna Franz; 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; as well as many relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his sister Helene Ewert in November 1958 and one small son.

We mourn, not as those who don’t have any hope. Rest in peace until we see eachother again.

The Grieving Family.

The funeral for Salomon Becher took place on March 9th 1987 at 1 o’clock in the afternoon in the Chapel of the Menno Home in Abbotsford. Many members of the Yarrow Mennonite Church came, among these guests were the G. Groenings, the Hans Bartels and many others.

Our leading minister, John Unrau greeted the gathering with the words from John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, will live, eventhough he dies and whoever lives and believes in me, will never die.“

The words of of Elder Nickel, the Chaplan of the Menno Hospital were very comforting. The song “The Lord is My Shepherd” was sung by the servers group.

A longtime family friend and minister, Rev. Henry Claassen was the speaker. His message was based Isaiah 43: 1-4: Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

The obituary was read by grandson Richard Rehsler. He is the son of Herta & Gotthard.

This was followed by John Baerg led in the singing of “When Peace Like a Rver” (Wenn Friede mit Gott).

Pastor John Unrau spoke in English on John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you with me, that you also may be where I am.” Dear Friends, Brother Becher always spoke about going Home to place of endless rest. This is the paradise, indeed, holy and pure. There is no sin and no sorrow. There we will all be one happy family. How do we get to go to Heaven? Through Jesus Christ, he is the way, the truth and the life.

The group sang the song: He Lives! O yes He lives, I know He lives!

After the burial at the Yarrow Cemetery the guests gathered for a funeral meal at the Yarrow United Mennonite Church. Here, Rev. Nickel told stories from the life of the Bechers. Mrs. Becher has already been living at the Menno Hospital for a longer time and Rev. Nickel is a faithful pastor. Several family members told of their love and friendship for the deceased. The songs “I Know My Rdeemer Lives,” and “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” gave the funeral a meaningful ending.




Ella Becher

1907 – 1988

On September 5, 1988, our dear mother and grandmother, Ella Becher, passed away at the Menno Hospital at the age of 81 years. The Celebration of her life was on September 8th at the Yarrow United Mennonite Church. The message and obituary were given by our pastor John Unrau and Rev. Henry Claassen. Minster David Nickel read Psalm 23. Her grandson Richard Rehsler read her obituary.

After the service and burial at the Yarrow Cemetery, the relatives and friends gathered in the basement of the Yarrow United Mennonite Church for a funeral meal.

For the Family,

Liesen Banman nee Becher

Obituary

Our dear Mother and Grandmother Ella Becher was born on February 17th 1907 in Ober Gruppe, Kreis Schwetz. Prussia. Her parents were Franz & Agnes (Franz) Ewert. She was the youngest daughter of ten children in the family. She spent her childhood, schooling and youth on her parents farm. She also spent a year in Danzig in apprentiship.

In 1921, Mother, on the confession of her faith was baptized and accepted into the Mennonite Church in Montau.

She was married to Salomon Becher on November 10th 1927. Their marriage was blessed with five children. One small son passed away at an early age. Toward the end of World War 2 they were forced to leave their home, and the family moved to Oldenburg, West Germany, where they lived and worked for seven years.

In 1952, the Becher family, through God’s leading, came to British Columbia, Canada. Here they joined the United Mennonite Church in Yarrow. In January 1954, our parents bought a small farm on McDermid Road on Sumas Prairie. In July 1965, they moved to Yarrow and a few years later, they moved to Chilliwack. In 1952 they celebrated their Silver Wedding and in 1977, their Golden Wedding.

On June 26th 1983, Mother fell on the stairs at the Eden Mennonite Church and broke her right hip and her right arm in two places and was taken to the Chilliwack General Hospital where she stayed until February 1984 when she was transferred to the Menno Hospital in Abbotsford.

On October 29th 1986 a great wish was fulfilled for both our parents, they were able to share the Lord’s Supper together. We got Mother from the Menno Hospital and brought her to the Chilliwack Hospital to see our father. There Pastor Unrau and a Deacon couple, the Niedermeisners were waiting for the and we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. Our parents and we were thankful for the wonderful time.

On January 27th 1987 our father was admitted to the Menno Hospital. Mother was happy to be close to father again. However, it was only to be for a short time, on March 5th 1987 father was able to go home and meet his Saviour.

At the beginning of October 1987, Mother complained of pain, and on October 23rd she was taken to the Abbotsford M.S.A. Hospital for examination of her pain. The doctor confirmed that Mother’s lungs were inflamed, she had pneumona, she also had a severe bladder inflammation. Eventhough, speaking was very hard for her, she wanted to sing and to recite Bible verses.

Mother missed father very much. She often said, “If I could only die.” Finally her wish was fulfilled. She passed away on September 5th 1988 at about 6 am.

She leave one son, Kurt and three daughters and their husbands: Hertha & Gotthard Fehsler, Liesel & Jake Banman and Dorothy & Wayne Cummings; one sister Anna and one brother Arthur in Germany; one sister-in-law Anna Franz in Vancouver; 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; many relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death are her loving husband Salomon; five brothers, two sister and one little son.

We mourn, but not as those who have no hope. She was faithful as a mother in her concern for us, a mother who prayed, suffered, and rejoiced with us.

Rest peacefully, until we see eachother again.

The mourning family.

   

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