Willms – With great sadness we announce the passing of Jacob (Jake) Willms at the Bassano Hospital on August 24, 2007. Jacob Willms (born Jacob August, Lichtfelde, Russia), registered birth date January 18, 1918, raised in Furstenwerder, Russia. In 1928, at the age of 10, he immigrated with his family to Namaka, AB as part of the great Mennonite migration out of post revolutionary Russia. Jake married Mary Unger on March 30, 1940 in Gem, AB and together they raised four daughters.
From 1943-1946 Jake served, with pride, in the Canadian Armed Forces in the 6th Canadian Divisional Signals. After his discharge, he farmed in Gem until moving to Bassano in 1958 where he worked as a steam engineer for the Bassano Hospital until his retirement in 1980. Jake was an avid sportsman, enjoyed fishing and music and was active in his community for many years after his retirement. But his greatest pleasure was spending time with his treasured family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary (Unger) Willms; parents, Jacob and Agatha Willms; sister, Agatha (Willms) Klassen; and brother, Abe Willms; sons-in-law, Robin George and Manfred Twork. Jake is survived by his loving daughters, Linda George, Dorothy (Ted) Schmidt, Laura (David) Howard, and Eleanor Twork; seven grandchildren: Dana (Steve) McLellan, Denise (Wilf) Harder, Michael Schmidt, Leanne (Ken) Jacobson, Kristina (Graeme) Easdon, Diana Twork and Sean Quin; seven great-grandchildren; brother John (Ann) Willms of Medicine Hat; sister-in-law Lena Willms of Victoria, BC and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 29th at 2:00 PM from the Knox Presbyterian Church, Bassano. Rev. Peter Baek officiating. Interment to follow at Bassano Cemetery. Active Pallbearers will be Michael Schmidt, Sean Quinn, Steve McLelland, Ken Jacobson, Wilf Harder and Graeme Eason. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Jake Willms to The Bassano Cemetery Fund, Box 299, Bassano, Alberta T0J 0B0. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
