Tribute

Hans Federau was born on January 4^th, 1936, the second of 6 children, in Fernheim, Paraguay to Johann and Anna Federau. They moved to a new community called Friesland. This became his home town until 1956, when he left for biblical studies at a seminary in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Toni Weiss went with him as they had been dating for 2 years. In 1958 they got married. While on a practicum assignment in Argentina, they had their first child, Esther, then returned to Uruguay and there Norbert their second child was born. After biblical studies they moved back to Friesland where their third child, Ted was born. Hans felt called to the mission field to a small indigenous town called Villa Hayes. While on ministry there, a fourth child, Christa, and a fifth child, Doris were born. After 5 years there they moved back to Friesland where they stayed for another 5 years. Hans was involved in teaching at the high school and pastoring at the local church.

Due to concerns for his health, the family moved to Canada in 1974 and settled in Vancouver where he worked for the Sauder Door Company. In 1977 his wife Toni was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After surgery she regained most of her strength. In 1980 Hans accepted a call to minister at the First United Mennonite Church in Vancouver. In 1984 Toni was once again diagnosed with a brain tumor. This time the surgery was unsuccessful, leaving her in the care of the UBC Care Home indefinitely where Hans visited her daily. Toni was never able to recover and she passed away on November 1^st, 1985.

In 1986, Hans started a relationship with Alice Fast, a former schoolmate from Friesland. He married Alice on July 18^th, 1987. He continued his ministry work at the church until 1992.  Hans’ children were all married and soon afterwards he was blessed with grandchildren, 16 in total. In 1993 he and Alice assisted in planting a new church called Living Hope in the North Delta/Surrey area. Hans took one final ministry position in Abbotsford, and then retired from full-time ministry in 2000. Retirement gave him time to spend with his growing family as well as pursuing his other passion, music. He familiarized himself with the guitar, the mandolin, the violin, the piano, the accordion, and even taught himself to play the Paraguayan harp.

In 2019 Hans and Alice moved to Garden Park Towers. In 2020 Hans was diagnosed with Supra Nuclear Palsy, which slowly took his balance and his ability to speak. Hans was admitted to Tabor Care Home in June of 2022, where he spent the last year of his life. The family wishes to thank the staff at Tabor Home for their care and compassion. With his family at his side Hans passed away to be in the presence of our Lord and savior on November 6^th, 2023.

He leaves behind his wife Alice, five children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren (some with spouses), and 9 great grandchildren.