Lawrence Wohlgemuth

Our beloved son, Lawrence Wohlgemuth, was born on May 15, 1933, near Giroux, Manitoba, and passed away suddenly on June 17, 1954, at the age of 21 years, 1 month, and 12 days. He was always of a very tender nature, and as a whole his life was one of smiles until moved to tears. At the age of twelve he found his need of a Saviour and upon confession of his sins he was baptized and accepted into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on the 23rd of November, 1945, at Greenland, Manitoba. He has always been healthy and robust. His own pleasure he often denied for others, especially for parents and brothers and sisters. He has worked at various jobs, with crews of men and otherwise, and always readily gained friends. The world seemed bright and attractive to him and consequently he has had many struggles, but through the grace of God was he able to keep his path straight. He has often expressed his concern for those that do not have the assurance of a Saviour in their hearts and wished to be a help to them. He was very active and at times failed; but he always soon acknowledged his faults and was never too determined on his own to not accept instructions. He seemed to have little plans for the future. When asked about such matters he usually answered us rather uninterested, which caused us quite a concernment at times. "Wait and see what the morning brings" was a common saying of his. His last two months he spent with the Sol. Isaac family at Lindon, Alta. as a farm laborer. He came home on Thursday the 24th. The following Sunday while out fishing in the Baptiste river, not far from our Indian Mission, and together with other young men, while he was wading in cold water he was suddenly overcome by cramps. Instead of coming to shore he was helpless enough to stumble the other way into deep water and drowned. He seemed unusually joyful the last few days that he spent with us at home. A number of his expressions and incidents of late now make us feel that he had special grace to come near to his Saviour before he passed away so suddenly and unexpected. We therefore cannot help but must thank our Heavenly Father for His love and care, even though it is hard to part with our dear son and brother of the family. We feel confident that we'll meet him again in a better home. He leaves to mourn his early departure, us as parents, David and family of Marchand, Manitoba; Maryann (Mrs. Irvin Thiessen) of Abbotsford, B, C.;Stella (Mrs. Howard Long) of Rocky Mountain House, Alta.; William, Alan, Alfred, Tina, Lena, Herbert, Wayne, Lillien and Ealine of the home; Grandfather C. P. Wohlgemuth, a number of uncles and aunts, and other relatives and friends. One niece preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held in Buster Creek School, north of Rocky Mountain House, on Thursday, July 1, 1954, with Min. Isaac Toews in charge, speaking from Rev. 3:20; John 5:25; 11:15,26. Then on Friday July 2, another service was held in the Linden Church, where Min. F .F. Hiebert spoke from Mark 13:33-37; Job 19:35. The remains were laid to rest in the Linden Cemetery.