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Abe S. Knelsen was born on November 27, 1913 to Abraham & Helen Knelsen. With Mrs. Warrens, a midwife, assisting - his birth took place in a lean-to on a barn in the McMahon area (land description NW23-13-12). At the young age of 5, he began questioning about how to get “up there”, pointing heavenward, but he didn’t receive the answers he needed at the time. Growing up as a farm boy he had many memories. In the winter of 1923, 6 foot snowdrifts encircled the farmhouse. Feeling somewhat mischievous, he took a yearling calf into the clearing between the drifts and the house and tied a sled to its tail. It took off in a flash giving him quite a ride…going round and round. Not knowing how he would loosen the sled, he leaned in toward the cribbing that surrounded the well and grabbed hold of it. He came to a sudden stop, and the calf was missing a fair bit of its tail. His education took place in Rhinefeld, at a German School. At the age of 11, he started doing field work with a harrow with 2 horses and a harrow cart. It progressed to 6 horses and a 2 furrow plow. Then to 8 horses and a 3 furrow plow. Next came the John Deere “D” tractor. In 1935, discers came out and seeding could be done with the tractor. Abe and his brother, John, both worked on this tractor day and night. One would fill the discer and the other would grease it. In 1936, he helped his father complete the seeding and on June 16, he moved out on his own (land description NW 32-13-11). John Bueckert worked for him for one and a half years. In 1937, the drought hit. The transition was made much easier because his family was very supportive and helpful. He gave his mom 4 bags of flour and she baked him all the bread he needed. His sisters did his laundry for him, first Helen and then Mary. After several years he bought his mom a power washer, with a gas motor, to make the job easier. In 1936, Abe was baptized by Mr. Dave Wall in the Sommerfeld Church at Schoenfeld, SK. On November 20, 1945, Abe married Mary Neufeld, and his life changed dramatically. Love will do that to you. In 1958, revival came to the area. Abe had always believed in God and in prayer, but after some counseling from Ben D. Reimer, he became a born-again believer and received assurance. This revival birthed the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Chortitz. By faith, an 80 x 40 foot building was erected. Abe & Mary were the first members. Abe always had a heart for people, and missions was most important to him. They spent 51 years on the farm. Then in 1987, they moved to Swift Current. Several years later they transferred their church membership to the Swift Current EMC. After moving into Swift Current, Abe & Mary enjoyed many good years together in retirement. Abe had fond memories of time spent fishing, traveling, visiting and playing games with family and friends. Abe was known to have a good sense of humor and more than one story included details of a fun filled prank. It was retold with a twinkle in his eye and a hearty chuckle. Abe was a farmer at heart, no matter what his age. Every spring and fall, he would go for a ride on the tractor or combine, to keep up with the current farming practice and to get a feel for the land. Even though he considered himself illiterate, he faithfully read the Western Producer. Abe loved God, his wife, Mary who predeceased Abe on July 14, 2007, his church, his family, his neighbors and his many friends. Abe is survived by his brothers, John Knelsen, Jake (Susie) Knelsen; his sisters, Helen Bueckert, Mary Olfert, Jessie Krahn; as well as his in-laws, Elsie Penner, Gertie (Dave) Dueck, Tina Froese, Lena Neufeld, Sally (Peter) Dueck, Herman (Helen) Neufeld, Jim (Chris) Neufeld, Susan Neufeld and Margaret Neufeld; and numerous nieces and nephews. We will miss Abe, his kindness, concern and sense of humor, but we rejoice that on Monday, April 21, 2008, he entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior. |
