Irvin Fast
Irvin Fast, 91, died Friday (Aug. 14, 2009) at Newton
Medical Center in Newton.
Irvin was born on July 18, 1918, in Goessel to Peter and
Lena (Balzer) Fast. They preceded him in death.
On April 23, 1948, he married Alice Ruth Dirks at West Zion
Church in Moundridge. They were married for more than 61 years, and she
survives.
Irvin worked for Crossroads Coop as a truck driver and,
after retirement, worked as a greeter for Wal-Mart in Newton. He enjoyed
meeting and visiting with people, and working as a greeter was a wonderful
match. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene and actively sang in
their choir and various quartets for many years.
Irvin loved food and enjoyed taking his family out to dine
in various restaurants. He was focused on family and spending time with them
was very important to him. He enjoyed spending time with siblings, children and
grandchildren.
He also is survived by son, Dr. James Irvin and Wilma Fast
of Wichita; daughter, Doreen Alice Fast of Carol Stream, Ill.; brothers, Anton
Fast of Moundridge and Orlando Fast of North Newton; sisters, Elda Schmidt of
Newton and Ruth Reather of Tulsa, Okla.; four grandchildren; and two
great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by son, Brent Allen Fast;
brothers, Marvin and Arnold Fast; and sisters, Linda Frey and Adina Schmidt.
Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton, with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Church
of the Nazarene in Newton. A committal service will be conducted prior to the
service at 9 a.m. in Greenwood Cemetery.
A memorial has been set up for the music department of First
Church of the Nazarene.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to
the doctors and staff of the Newton Medical Center who cared for Irvin Fast.
