ABRAM X. OLFERT
It is with a great sense of loss and yet our hearts are full, knowing a dear child of God has stepped through the final threshold of his life. Abram X. Olfert passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 25, 2009, during the last hour of the day. It was two weeks prior to this that he lost an alarming amount of blood and never really recovered from this. He was conscious to the end and never complained about any pain. Abram X. lived a full life of 93 years, 5 months and 4 days. Abe was born on April 21, 1915, at home in Reinfeld. He received his education at a German School in Reinfeld, plus eight years in Iris School (English). He was able to put that education to full use as manager of the Co-op Store in McMahon and as Treasurer at the churches he was a member of. The biblical faith and values of his grandfather, who died for his faith in Russia, became a very dear part of his life. He was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the Sommerfeld Church and became a member of the Wymark EMC in 1958, and later the Swift Current EMC. On November 12, 1939, at the age of 24, he married Justina Schmidt, at the Schmidt residence. They worked as farm laborers for four years, had their own farm at Reinfeld for eight years, and then moved to McMahon in 1951. He took on the management of the Co-op Store until 1975, when they moved to Swift Current. Here he worked at Firestone Tire and then later at Home & Auto. Abe suffered a great loss when the love of his life, Justina, passed away on March 20, 1978. She had suffered from diabetes and heart and stroke problems for over sixteen years. Abe also went through some physical setbacks. His first stroke took away his walking and some of his speech. But with an extreme amount of will power, exercising and therapy, he was able to walk, drive his car and have coffee with his friends at the Bus Depot. The second stroke took his mobility away again but he never stopped exercising, with the hope of being able to walk again. His positive spirit never seemed to waver and when he was asked why he was so happy, he would reply, “I am happy because I have Jesus in my heart,” while tapping his chest. He enjoyed playing ball in his younger years, harmonica, crokinole, checkers, and later bingo (for the prize of chocolate bars) at the Herbert Nursing Home. He kept his mind and spirit alert by doing crossword puzzles, reading his Bible and listening to Bible centered tapes. He wore out two cassette players and was using the third, listening to tapes of music and Bible readings. Abram X. Olfert was predeceased by his wife, Justina, 1978; his parents, Franz and Elisabeth; his two step-mothers, Margaretha Harder and Margaretha Driedger; his brothers, Frank (Helen), Cornelius, Isaac (Susan); his sisters, Elisabeth (Jacob) Dyck, Maria Olfert, Tina (Jake) Unrau, Sarah (Abe) Redekopp, Margaret (Robert) Shaw, Susan Teichrib; his brothers-in-law, Peter Giesbrecht, George Fast, Ray Glenn and Milton Spitzer. Having no children, Abe has left to mourn his passing a special niece (who was like a daughter to him), Betty (Wayne) Campbell, Winnipeg, MB, their children, Brian and Nancy; a special nephew, Ron (Trudy) Olfert, Swift Current, SK, and their family, who took care of all his needs especially while he was in the Herbert Nursing Home. He is also survived by his sisters, Anna Fast, Helen (George) Driedger, Mary Hanson, Neta Spitzer; his brother, Jake (Esther); sister-in-law, Mary Olfert; brother-in-law, Jake Teichrib; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the staff at the Herbert Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to our uncle during the many years of his residing there. The funeral service was held on Friday, May 1, 2009, at 2:00 pm from the Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Swift Current, SK, with Pastor Bryon Bezanson and Pastor Peter Janzen officiating. The pianist for the service was Trudy Olfert. Pastor Peter Janzen read Psalm 23. “When We All Get to Heaven,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Amazing Grace” and “He Leadeth Me” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Pastor Bryon Bezanson. The obituary was read by Margaret Dyck with Ron Olfert sharing a tribute and Sally Knelsen bringing the eulogy. The meditation was brought by Lester Olfert. The interment service was held at the Wymark EMC Cemetery, Chortitz, SK, with the following serving as pallbearers, Frank Glenn, Peter Wiebe, Jake Knelsen, Frank Redekopp, Peter Dyck and Dave Fehr. In memory of Mr. Abe X. Olfert, donations made to the Gideons International would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.