Frieda Hait
January 11th, 2022
After a full and very busy life, at the age of 93, Frieda Hait passed away at Brock Fahrni care home and joyfully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022.
Frieda’s parents, Rudolf, and Martha Wilkie, immigrated from Poland to Fenwood, Saskatchewan in 1927 where Frieda was born a year later. She moved from Saskatchewan to Vancouver where she met and married John Hait in 1949. Their daughter, Sharon, was born in 1953 followed by the birth of their son, Wes, in 1954.
Her work journey took her to the Bank of Montreal where she worked as a full-time and part-time teller for a number of years.
For over 70 years, Frieda’s greatest joys and activities, outside of her family, were focused on Ebenezer Baptist Church assisting and serving in numerous ways. Multi-talented, focused, involved and productive, she enjoyed leading and singing in various choirs and in a ladies trio, teaching Sunday School, leading the Missionary Guild, acting as one of the first women deacons there, ministering to shut-ins, helping to organize and lead the Seniors group , praying for others on intercessory teams and often hosting parties and groups in her and Johns home with wonderful dinners, treats and game nights. You could often find her behind the scenes preparing tasty goodies or meals or cleaning for the many events which were held there. Her thoughts and her love for God were often expressed through the countless poems she wrote and shared, some of which were turned into songs. Friendly, open-hearted, generous, and gracious are a few of the words others have used to describe her. Frieda’s presence and contributions at Ebenezer over these last decades will be a special legacy of service and care for the many whose lives she touched and encouraged.
She cherished outings with family for favourite Chinese food and other lunches, jaunts to second-hand stores here in Vancouver and in the States and for picnics in the park or at the beach. A special highlight for both her and John in their later years was a cruise to Alaska.
She will be greatly missed and yet we rejoice in the promise of eternal life and we know that today her faith is sight and she sees her Saviour and Lord face to face.
The family wishes to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the excellent care she received in these last two years at Brock Fahrni care home.
Contributions sent to the Union Gospel Mission in her honour in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.
A video-streamed graveside service is being held for her on Saturday, January 22nd at 1:00 at Valley View Cemetery. Which can be found at the link provided:
Messages:
We were so blessed to know Frieda and to minister with her at Ebenezer Baptist Church for several years. She was such a gracious and faithful servant of the Lord and we enjoyed wonderful times together. Frieda encouraged us constantly with poems, baking, visits, dinners out together with her and John, sharing deep spiritual insights and suggestions on how to minister to the family of God at Ebenezer. She was a fervent prayer partner and steadfast leader with the Challengers and the Women's Missionary Guild. Her laughter often rang through the parsonage as we played games, dined, shared humourous stories and enjoyed life together! Her prayers were powerful and her poetry leaves an international fan club as she had many "pen-pals" over the years who she encouraged with her written gifts. Our love for one another was a source of hope and a personal gift from God. She was a mentor with a "direct line to God"! How blessed we were to have her in our lives! My prayer is that her poetry will continue to be a source of hope, strength and encouragement to all who have the opportunity to read it. What a blessing it would be if her poems could be published in a collection for all of us to enjoy for continuing generations. That is my hope and prayer. Deepest condolences to her family and John, her beloved husband. Thank you for sharing dear Frieda with us! Much love, Dawn and Bob Krahn
This morning I re-discovered a sweet little book in our personal library—all poetry, written and assembled by Frieda. She sent it several years ago, at a time of crisis in our family. She never knew us, the connection was made through mutual friends. I never personally connected with her to thank her, or even find out more about her. Clearly, she was a woman who loved God and felt genuine compassion for others. I hope to thank her in person one day ‘up yonder’.