KARL FAST

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KARL FAST Peacefully, at the Bethania Personal Care Home, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease, our husband, father and grandfather passed away on April 1, 2005 with his most loving wife Margaret at his side. He is survived by his children, Hilde Neustaedter (Henry), Lorie Bergen (Arthur), Marlies Klassen (Otto), Agnes Mauer and Karl-Heinz Fast (Janet); his grandchildren, Angela Neustaedter Wiebe (David), Kurt Neustaedter (Sandra), Krista Neustaedter Barg (Darryl), Karina Fast (Douglas), Deanna Klassen (Chris Dasch), Adam Bergen (Stephanie), Marie Sinnock (Jeff Thevenot), Heidi Bergen (Gerald Samuels), Melissa Fast, Michael Klassen (Misty), Paul Bergen, Jordan Fast, Robert Mauer, Alana Fast, Micelle Mauer and Amy Mauer. He also leaves behind 14 great-grandchildren. They are Gabrielle, Brendan, Olivia Wiebe; Joshua, Natasha Neustaedter Barg; Lukas, Christian, Mark, Adam Neustaedter; Jaymi, Isaak, Katie Fast; Jacob Samuels; Colin Bergen. He is survived by his sister Katharina Pries (Jakob Klassen) and sister-in-law Susanne Fast, both of Germany. He was predeceased by his parents, Abram and Katharina Fast; brothers, Gerhard, Hans and Peter; as well as granddaughter Stephanie Mauer. Dad was born in Orenburg, Russia on August 26, 1921. After the horrors of the war in Europe, which included a five-year term as prisoner of war in Russia, he reunited with his wife and daughter in Germany and settled in Winnipeg, MB in 1949. Here he grabbed hold of all the opportunities this wonderful country had to offer. He worked hard physically for a few years, always holding on to a dream of returning to interrupted education and his profession as a teacher. While working as a printer's helper at City Press in Winnipeg, he wrote his first book, outlining his experiences during the war and as a prisoner of war. The account reminds the reader of the story written by Alexander Solshenitzyn, A Day in the life of Ivan Denisovitch. It gave his children an insight into who he was and it purged and clarified him in writing. He studied nights and summers at the University of Manitoba and received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He started teaching in 1958 at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, where he stayed until 1970. He taught in Lowe Farm and a half year at Steinbach Regional Secondary School. In January 1972 he took a job as a language consultant in the Department of Education from which he retired in 1986. He would consider the development of language teaching and training, in all second languages other than French among his greatest legacies. He trained teachers and introduced curriculum in Ukrainian, Hebrew and German bilingual programs. These were the years he worked with teachers on Hutterite colonies throughout Manitoba and encouraged the teaching of German and the training of teachers on the colonies. These years of fruitful work and the many friends he gained gave him much joy and fulfilment. At the same time he continued to give his incredible energies and creativity to his churches, North Kildonan Mennonite and Springfield Heights Mennonite, where he taught Sunday School, German School and eventually became an ordained lay minister in 1972. At no time did his will to contribute and return his sense of debt to society diminish. He honoured his commitment to God for his deliverance from the terrors of war and imprisonment. He did so with grace and joy. His example to all around him had deep impact. We have missed our father for a very long time, due to a debilitating disease and our grieving has had time to sink in over these past few years. However, our loss will remain acute, long after we lay him to his final rest. The funeral service for Karl Fast will be Tuesday, April 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay, Winnipeg. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements by: BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL STEINBACH WINNIPEG, MB 1-888-454-1030 or 1-204-346-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2005