Henry ‘Hank’ Fast
December 16, 1927 – July 1, 2019
Henry passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 1st at the age of 91. Henry, usually called Hank, was born on a farm near Rosthern, Sask on December 16th, 1927. His father was a carpenter by trade and instilled problem solving and hard work to Hank and his siblings. He was put to work on the farm at an early age, fixing broken items and making tools more user- friendly. He held this work ethic throughout his life. A few years after leaving the farm, Hank opened a blacksmith and repair shop in Rosthern. He would forge-sharpen almost any kind of a cutting device from cultivator spikes or discs to a crow bar. Following the demise of this business he worked at Westeel and then the Government Elevator before a stint at CCIL Equipment. He loved a challenge and said his favourite job, which was also his last, was with Lakeshore Tree Farms.
Most of his life he worked with metal. Later in his life he turned to working with wood. At one point he said when he retired he would build all the things he wanted to build when he was young. True to his word he built a steam traction engine, stationary engine, Henry Ford steer car, etc. This was the car that Hank hoped to be able to drive to A & W for coffee one day and this did come to fruition. His A & W friends were very important to him over the years and his twice daily trips were something he truly missed after moving out of his home in 2017. He settled in at the Ilarion Residence and moved to Oliver Lodge in June not too long before his passing. His was grateful for the care he received at both of these homes.
Henry was predeceased by his wife Erna (Sawatzky) in 1987, parents Jacob & Katherine, siblings Aron, Elizabeth and Annie. Henry is survived by his children, son Larry (Denelda), daughter Arlene (Wade) and son Ken (Karen), grandchildren Mackenzie (Sarah), Nicholas (Breanne), Hamilton, Jacoba (Russell) and Hillary, Kristy, Kyle, Brendyn and Alex and great grandchildren Ada, Finnegan, Bennett and Solomon and his siblings Jacob, Katherine, George and Mary.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 19th, 2019 at 10:30AM at Nutana Park Mennonite Church, 1701 Ruth Street East, Saskatoon, SK. Arrangements entrusted to DALMENY FUNERAL HOME 306-254-2022.
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