Elfreda Fast, Hillsboro
Elfreda Fast Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (jostfuneralhome.com)
July 2, 1917 - May 2, 2022
Hillsboro - Elfreda Fast, 104, passed away May 2, 2022 at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro.
Elfreda (Penner) Fast was born to Abraham F. and Katie (Gaede) Penner on July 2, 1917, at Meade, Kansas. When she was four years old, the family moved to a farm north of Ingalls, Kansas. Elfreda received her elementary and high school education at Ingalls and graduated in 1934.
When Elfreda was 13 years old, she accepted Christ as her Savior, was baptized on August 24, 1930 by Rev. D.W. Siemens and was received into the membership of the Ingalls Mennonite Brethren Church.
Following high school, she was involved in 4-H work. Through her acquaintance with the Farm Bureau agent, she was invited to work at the Farm Bureau office under the National Youth Association, one of the special programs promoted by President Franklin Roosevelt to give employment to young people.
The money she earned made it possible for her to attend Tabor College. After receiving her A.A. degree, she continued for another year of concentrated Bible studies. She was then asked by President A.E. Janzen to serve as the resident director of the girls’ dormitory, which she did for two years.
While at Tabor, Elfreda met Chester Fast, and they were married on June 1, 1941. While he taught at Pleasant Hill School in Meade, Kansas, Elfreda taught a few classes at the Meade Bible School.
The following year they returned to Tabor College where Chester received his A.B. degree. During this time they served as house parents at California Hall, a boys’ dorm. In April, their first child, Janet was born.
The following three years were spent in Kansas City, Kansas, where Chester pursued a master’s degree at Central Baptist Seminary. During their time in Kansas City, they served a small church called Maywood Community Church. Dale was born during their last year at the seminary.
Their first assignment after seminary training was to the South Side Mission in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they served for five years. During this time, they were blessed with two more children, Stephen and LaVon.
Further ministries led them to two small churches in northwest Missouri - New Point and Graham. From there, 19 years were spent in Oklahoma—Balko, Collinsville, and Bethany. During the time that they lived in Bethany, Elfreda worked as a secretary for the Larry Jones Evangelistic Association, now known as the FEED THE CHILDREN program. In between Collinsville and Bethany, they spent two years in Hillsboro, where Chester became the first full time Tabor College alumni director. During this time, Elfreda had the joy of working as a secretary at the Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services office.
The final pastorate took place in Harvey, North Dakota.
Upon retirement, Chester and Elfreda relocated to Hillsboro, Kansas where Chester passed away in 1999. In 2008 Elfreda moved into an apartment at the Parkside Congregate and resided there until her last move to Parkside House 4 in 2019.
Elfreda’s involvement with church work varied from church to church. She served with Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Cradle Roll, and Children’s Church. She was also active in Women’s Missionary Service and served as the district chairman of the WMS for two years.
Elfreda enjoyed working with her hands creatively through sewing, quilting, upholstery, ceramics, and many other types of crafts. She was an avid reader and a fan of sports, especially baseball.
It was Elfreda’s joy to be a mother to their four children, encouraging them in obtaining knowledge of the Bible, in musical efforts, and in their education. She will be remembered as a prayer warrior and an encourager. She was a constant helper to her husband and considered it a blessing to be married to a pastor and to serve the Lord together.
Elfreda is survived by her four children: Janet van Houten, Dale Fast (Ruth), Steve Fast (Janice), and LaVon Sperling (Randy), nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester.
Elfreda passed away at the age of 104 years and 10 months on Monday, May 2.
Memorial gifts in her honor may be given to the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, Tabor College, or Parkside Homes for flowers/landscape.
Celebration of Life service 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church in Hillsboro officiated by Pastor Jeremy Matlock and Pastor Steve Fast.
Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.
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