Jacob W. Wedel – 1892 – 1985

Jacob W. Wedel longed to leave his earthly home and go to his heavenly home. On February 3, 1985 the Heavenly Father called him home.

Obituary: Jacob William Wedel was born on May 17, 1892 in Alexandropol, Russia. His parents were William Cornelius and Maria (Penner) Wedel. He survived the First World War, the Russian Revolution and the Civil War in Russia. He was in the state service from 1914 to 1917 as a guardian in a forest, which was the property of the Russian Government.

He found his life’s partner in Helena Schulz. Their marriage took place in August 1922. Three years later, Jacob accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior. He was baptized and accepted by the Ruckenau Mennonite Brethren Church.

He left Russia in 1926, together with his young wife and child and they immigrated to Canada. They settled in Grand Prairie, Alberta but the Depression made life very difficult for them. Their search for a better life eventually brought them to Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. Here he cobbled shoes, helped the farmers at harvest time to tie their sheaves and many other things. In 1936, he and his family moved to Yarrow, B.C. Here his heart’s desire was fulfilled. He bought a small farm on Lumsden Road on the banks of the Vedder River. The years went by and he sold his farm in the mid-1960’s and retired moving to Central Road in downtown Yarrow and then to Clearbrook in 1974. He considered it an achievement, when at age 79, he visited the Holy Land.

The years passed and when he reached the age of 92, his suffering began, and as his suffering increased, so did his longing for heaven increase. The Heavenly Father called him home on February 3, 1985. He left behind Helena Wedel, his wife of 62 years; two sons: John & Alice Wedel, Sardis B.C.; Bill & Joan Wedel, Yarrow, B.C.; two daughters: Helen Goertzen, Langley, B.C.; Marie & Gordon Cadman, Langley, B.C.; a sister Elisabeth Wedel, Clearbrook, B.C.; 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, many nephews and nieces and many relatives and friends.

The funeral was held in Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church on February 6th. After the opening prayer, Pastor John E. Klassen read several scripture portions. John C. Dyck, Assistant Pastor, read the life obituary. The celebration was presented in the beautiful theme of the following songs: "Where the Soul Finds the Home to Rest" (Wo Findet Die Seele die Heimat die Ruh) was requested and sung in German by the audience; "Where there are no Storm Clouds" (Wo keine Wolke mehr sich turmt); and "When the Earth is Suffering, Labour and Pain" sung by the German Choir.

Pastor John E. Klassen based his message on the words found in Isaiah 43: 1-5 – Subject – Do not be afraid. The Almighty God leads you by His hand through the dark valley of death to the heavenly homeland.