Federau, Hans (1936-2023)
Hans Federau: minister and teacher; born 4 January 1936 in Fernheim Colony, Paraguay to Johann (1908, South Russia – 1990, Friesland Colony, Paraguay) and Anna (Boschmann) Federau (10 June 1907, Molotschna, South Russia – 1989, Friesland Colony, Paraguay). On 18 January 1958, Hans married Toni Erna Weiss (10 July 1939 – 1 November 1985), daughter of Peter (1906-1952) and Maria (Giesbrecht) Weiss (1898–1950). They had five children: Esther, Norbert, Theodor, Christa, and Doris. In 1985, Toni died of cancer and in 1987, Hans remarried to Alice Fast, daughter of Heinrich (1907–1976) and Helene (Regehr) Fast (1913–1989). Hans died on 6 November 2023 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.
Hans grew up in the Friesland Colony of Paraguay. He was baptized at the age of 18; however, he fondly remembers having a deeper conversion experience two years later. In 1956 he left home for biblical studies at the Seminario Bíblico Evangélico in Montevideo, Uruguay. In 1958, Hans and Toni Weiss were married, after which they moved to Argentina on a practicum assignment. The Federau family subsequently returned to Uruguay where Hans completed his biblical studies, and then moved back to Friesland where Hans found part-time employment as a high school and Bible school teacher.
In 1964, Hans and Toni were called by the mission board of Paraguay to the small Indigenous town of Villa Hayes, across the river from Asunción. Their task was to establish a school for Indigenous children and plant a church. After five years, the Federau family, now numbering seven, moved back to Friesland where Hans spent the next five years teaching at the high school and pastoring at the local church.
For health reasons, the family moved to Canada in 1974 and settled in Vancouver where Hans worked for Sauder Industries. In 1977, Toni was diagnosed with a brain tumor. In 1980, Hans accepted a call to be the lead pastor for the German language service at First United Mennonite Church in Vancouver, and he went on to become the senior pastor. In 1984 Toni underwent unsuccessful surgery for her tumor, consigning her permanently to the care home at the University of British Columbia where Hans visited her daily until she passed away.
In July 1987, Hans married Alice Fast, a former schoolmate from Friesland. He continued his ministry work at the church until 1992. In 1994, he and Alice assisted in planting a new church, Living Hope Christian Fellowship, in the North Delta/Surrey area, where he ministered until 1996. Hans accepted one final senior pastor position at the Clearbrook Mennonite Church in Abbotsford and then retired from full-time ministry in 2000.
Hans and Alice became members of Level Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford where Hans served in various voluntary roles, in addition to volunteering at the Mennonite Heritage Museum. In retirement, Hans familiarized himself with the guitar, the mandolin, the violin, the piano, the accordion, and even taught himself to play the Paraguayan harp. He volunteered monthly at Menno Place, an institution for seniors in Abbotsford, preaching and providing music with harp and guitar. He also played at various church functions and socials.
In 2020 Hans was diagnosed with supranuclear palsy, which slowly robbed him of his balance and his ability to speak. Hans was admitted to Tabor Village Care Home in June 2022, where he spent the last year of his life.
Hans will be remembered as a strong spiritual leader in his church, community and in his family. He was soft-spoken, with a sound understanding of biblical teaching. His passion was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he modeled what he preached, extending his unconditional love to all his children and grandchildren.
| Author(s) | David F. Loewen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | September 2024 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Loewen, David F.. "Federau, Hans (1936-2023)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. September 2024. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Federau,_Hans_(1936-2023)&oldid=179722.
APA style
Loewen, David F.. (September 2024). Federau, Hans (1936-2023). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Federau,_Hans_(1936-2023)&oldid=179722.
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