Jacob Jake Neisteter

France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) and Clasp, 1939-45 War Medal

Royal Canadian Engineers

26 April 1919 – 08 October 2012

Jacob “Jake” Neisteter was born 26 April 1919 in southern Russia. Later that year his father was killed in the Uprising of 1919. His mother remarried but 3 years later she died of typhoid fever. His adoptive father remarried and Jake was so grateful that they kept the adoption valid and gave him the opportunity to come to Canada at the age of 7 years. In 1926 they settled in southern Saskatchewan and then in 1935 the family moved to Winkler. Jake spent the winters of 1937 and 1938 attending the local Bible School in Winkler.

In July 1940, while working in Ontario, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Camp Petawawa for training. He spent over 5 years serving his country during World War 11 in Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, England and Germany, returning to Winkler in 1945. These are the war medals he received:

After returning from Europe, Jake married Tina Loewen and their marriage was blessed with 3 children…Beverly, Janice & Ron. Later he was also blessed with 2 grandsons and 2 great-grandsons.

Jake’s faith was very important to him, and in 1959 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith. He enjoyed his working career and spent over 21 years at the Winkler Post Office, and later together with his son Ron, started a landscaping business. He was well-known for his jovial character and his volunteer work in the community; he played in the town band, spent many years as a volunteer fire fighter, and loved to lend a hand wherever he could. Jake loved hunting and fishing and was so glad to see that his son, grandson and now his great-grandsons also appreciated these sports. He also enjoyed golf and curling. Although Jake did many things in his life, what he valued most was relationships.

He died at the age of 93 years on 08 October 2012.

Information submitted by Ron and Carol Neisteter