Wilmer H. “Harvey” Fast, 92, passed away peacefully to his heavenly home, November 19, 2022 at Valley View Nursing Home. Harvey was born on June 5, 1930, on the Fast Family homestead in Lustre, Montana to Peter and Aganetha (Ratzlaff) Fast. Harvey was the youngest of nine children (six living and three died in infancy). The older siblings had gone to choir practice and upon returning home, their father announced they had a “new baby brother” delivered by Mrs. J.J. Baker, the local midwife. Times were hard and that made an older sibling say “we have enough work already!” This was the beginning of the terrible dust storms and drought of the 1930’s. Harvey attended Star School half a mile from the homestead for one year before it closed in 1937. The closure was due to the enrollment dropping by seven children, when the cousins from the Abe Fast Family made the move back to Mountain Lake, Minnesota. He then finished his grade school years a Todd Lake School four miles from home. Harvey received Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age after attending an evangelistic meeting and was baptized in a pond close to Todd Lake.
Harvey’s dad had purchased a house from the Fort Peck Dam project and had it moved to Lustre where it became the family home. One chore he had every morning before school was digging a cistern by hand in the basement of the house by filling a bucket with dirt so his mother could then pull it up with a rope. He also attended Glasgow High School which required staying with his Aunt Helen Ratzlaff and later boarding at the Waitschies apartments, graduating in 1948.
Harvey married Gladys Funk on October 28, 1951. They were blessed with four children: oldest daughter Shirley, followed by identical twin daughters, Jean and Joan and son Warren. Harvey was a member of the Lustre MB Church. He and Gladys gave generously to missions and supported many missionary families through the years. He served faithfully on various church boards and committees. Other areas in the community where he served were on Schmeckfest committees, Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) and both the Lustre Grade School and Lustre Christian High School boards. He was also very much involved in church and school building projects which included working many hours on the new LCHS gym and dorm. He also enjoyed helping each of his children whether building or remodeling their homes. Harvey was a member of the LCHS Foundation Board when it was founded. He also served seven, three-year terms on the Northern Electric board and was on the state MECA board receiving awards for his service to both.
In 2010 Harvey and Gladys moved to Glasgow. He left the homestead where he was born and retired from farming and ranching, the life he loved. Adapting well to town life, he found contentment and loved to welcome friends and neighbors, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to their home. He continued going back to the farm helping out when needed, running errands and keeping the farm shelter belts in good shape. He enjoyed reading, checking in on Gladys’ quilting, gardening, and working on projects in his little wood shop. Harvey donated his time at the local food bank and enjoyed his afternoon coffee time with friends. He and Gladys faithfully attended Glasgow Evangelical Church. In October of 2021 they celebrated 70 years of marriage.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Gladys Fast; parents, Peter and Nettie Fast; brothers, Ervin (Ruth) Fast, Marvin (Esther) Fast, and Walter Fast; sisters, Evangeline (Joe) Wiens and Edna Fast; son-in-law, Duane Nasner; great-grandchildren Blake Reddig, Magdalena, Delilah, Eden, Alice and Elijah Unger.
Harvey is survived by his children: Shirley Nasner of Wolf Point, MT, Jean and Ken Joiner of Bozeman, MT, Joan and Keith Unger of Lustre, MT, and Warren and DeeDee Fast of Lustre, MT; ten grandchildren: Lynae (Nasner) and Gary Gackle, Scott and Jennifer Nasner, Andy and Joy Unger, Jennifer Unger, Chris and Jess Unger, Luke and Jennifer Unger, Rochelle Unger, Rebecca (Unger) and Randy Reddig, Tony and Amy Fast, Craig and Lindsay Fast; great-grandchildren: Hannah, Caleb and Grace Gackle, Xavier, Kate, Matthew and Myah Nasner, Isabelle, Canaan, Edwin, Jedidiah and Everly Unger, Swayze Vivrette, Ada Unger, Avery, Ryder and Ella Unger, Cameron, Harlo and Marlee Reddig, Natalie, Aleah and Maycie Fast, Addilyn Harrison, Janelle and Maxwell Fast and many friends and family.
As a family we wish to give a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Prairie Ridge and Valley View Home for the loving care they gave both Harvey and Gladys in recent years. Their dedication is appreciated.
You may stop by Bell Mortuary to pay your respects to Harvey, Friday, December 9, 2022. Family will receive friends Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 4-6:00 p.m. at Bell Mortuary. A private family burial is planned with a celebration of life planned for June 2023. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com. Memorials can be made in Harvey’s name to Lustre Christian High School, 4 Lustre High Cir, Lustre, Montana 59225. A memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday June 17, 2023 at the Lustre MB Church in Lustre, Montana.
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
Friday December 9, 2022
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday December 11, 2022
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
Friday December 9, 2022
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday December 11, 2022
Bell Mortuary
701 Second Avenue
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Buck Archambeault says
Harvey was one of my first client, many years ago. Very smart businessman, loyal to the end with great support from his wife. I respect the family very much
Bonnie Reddig says
Harvey was always a friendly cheerful man! He was so inclusive of all. Many wonderful memories of the Fast family!
Martha phipps says
I loved mr harvey and loved caring for him while i worked vvh
Nate Korns says
Harvey was one of my first employers. He taught me many useful things while I worked there. He was a hard worker and taught me the same. He also taught me that a 15 min nap after lunch did wonders. He always wanted to talk when I came back for visits. Godly, upright man.
Mona Fast says
To the Fast family:
So sorry to hear of Harvey’s passing. It must be so hard to lose both parents in less than a year. I have fond memories of both Harvey and Gladys. I pray you will be comforted in your great losses. Sincerely, Mona Fast
Dale J Stensland says
I meet Harvey when I was chopping hay in the Early 80s , he was a good Man condolences to the family.