Jacob “Jake” Born of Abbotsford, B.C., died May 17, 2023, at 96. He is survived by his wife Hilda (nee Klassen) to whom he was married for nearly 70 years. Jake was born in Sedalia, Alta., and moved to Matsqui Prairie, B.C., in 1948. He was a trucker and long-time dairy farmer in Mt. Lehman and Matsqui. Jake was profoundly grateful for God’s blessings which had come his way because his parents had taken the risks associated with moving from Ukraine to Canada in 1926. Jake grew up in Alberta, and in his teens attended boarding school in Rosthern, Sask. He committed his life to Christ at age 13 and was baptized in Cooking Lake, Alta., at age 15. He later attended Bible school in Coaldale, Alta., and then at Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute (now Columbia Bible College). In May 1953, Jake married Hilda Klassen, and they began dairy farming in Mount Lehman. Through their marriage, they faithfully attended various MB churches in the Fraser Valley, and found great joy in their senior years at Clearbrook MB Church. A high priority for Jake was his commitment to service. This desire motivated him to teach Sunday School in Matsqui and for several years at McConnell Creek in Mission. Jake served in various church leadership roles, sang in quartets and choirs, volunteered at Gleaners and donated blood regularly (well over 100 pints!). Jake will be sorely missed for his deep commitment to his wife, children, friends, and for his faith. Jake was known for his generous spirit, incredible work ethic, wry smile, dry sense of humour, as well as his guitar and harmonica playing. Employing his beautiful tenor voice, he sang in choirs and quartets from age 14 to 90. Psalm 90 was a passage he left as a reminder to his family and friends: “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
