Henry Fast

Henry J. Fast, the son of John M. and Elizabeth (Loewen) Fast was born on June 2, 1915, at Chinook, MT. At the age of five Henry's family returned to the Mountain Lake and Bingham Lake area to farm, and this is where he grew up and also received his education at Bingham Lake public school. Henry accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at a young age. He was a faithful member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Mountain Lake, and he also enjoyed attending the First Baptist Church of Windom with his wife Gert. On October 29, 1940, Henry was united in marriage to Helen Linda Fast at the Bruderthaler Church in Mountain Lake. They made their home and farmed two miles west of Mountain Lake until moving into Mountain Lake in 1978, and retiring from farming in 1980. Helen died on February 18, 1987. Henry was united in marriage to Gert (Smith) Rippie on July 13, 1988, and they continued to make their home in Mountain Lake. He served his Lord in his church as a trustee, deacon, usher and greeter. He also served on the Christian Day School, Hospital and Country District School boards. He enjoyed farming and riding motorcycle, and loved to water ski, which he did as recent as when he was 83. His family was very important to him, and he shared many special times with all. Henry J. Fast, age 91, of Mountain Lake, MN died on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake. Henry is survived by his wife Gert Fast of Mountain Lake; a daughter, Marilyn and husband Bill Bossenberger of Rochester Hills, MI; a son, Verlyn and wife Nancy Fast of Bingham Lake; seven grandchildren, Todd and wife Marcia Bossenberger and Daren and wife Jennifer Bossenberger all of Royal Oak, MI, Kara and husband Tobin Strong of South Lyon, MI, Brady Fast, Cody Fast, Brandon Fast and Tara Fast all of Bingham Lake; six greatgrandchildren, Emma, Ellie, Evan and Charles Bossenberger, and Ezekiel and Solomon Strong; two step sons, Donald and wife Rosalie Rippie of Albuquerque, NM, and Douglas Rippie of Buffalo, MN; four step grandsons, Troy and wife Marilyn Rippie and Daryn and wife Angie Rippie all of Albuquerque, Brian and wife Mercades Rippie of San Diego, CA, and Randy Rippie and fiance of Cokato; three step great grandchildren, Michelle Rippie, Holly Rippie and Justyn Rippie; a brother, Walter and wife Betty Fast of Owens Cross Road , AL; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Helen; a son, Galyn Fast; three brothers, John J. Fast, Jack J. Fast and David J. Fast; and three sisters, Bertha Fast, Leona Fast and Olga Wiens.