Jacob "Jake" Willms
June 20, 1935 - April 19, 2016

Jake was born in Ruthven near Leamington, Ontario to Gerhard and Agatha Willms. The youngest of five children, Jake grew up on the family farm with brothers Walter, Victor and George and sister, Sylvia. At the age of 17, Jake's mother passed away and he and his father moved to Kitchener, Ontario where Jake was closer to Rita Fehderau, a lovely young girl who had caught his eye.

Jake and Rita married on July 20, 1957 and had three daughters. Jake worked briefly for brother Walter's construction company before starting his career at the Waterloo Trust, where he eventually became Manager of the Mortgage department.

In 1968, Jake began attending the University of Waterloo as a part-time student. While studying, he was encouraged to apply for a position at the University. Jake worked for several years at the Registrar's office and completed his B.A. (English Literature) in 1974. In 1996, Jake retired from UW having worked the majority of his 27 years as the Administrative Officer for the Faculty of Arts.

Jake’s faith was the foundation upon which he built his life. He longed for the people he knew to share in the love, comfort and hope he found in Jesus Christ. He especially loved hearing young voices singing praises to God. He was a lifelong member of the Kitchener Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church and served in leadership there and for the Ontario MB Conference.

Wherever Jake's life journey led, he left his musical mark - singing in church choirs, performing in the Sacred Song Quartet and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society musicals, conducting Reach Out/Celebration Youth Choir and the Jubilation Male Chorus and even leading an annual Christmas Carol sing at the University of Waterloo.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Rita, daughters Lori (Les Neufeld) Lisa and Lynn, grandchildren Carianne (Paul Peters), Jonathan and Tracey. Jake also had a special fondness for Jon's girlfriend, Andrea Polidori and Tracey's fiancé, Austin Huber.

The family would like to thank the CCAC staff, the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Grand River and Freeport Hospitals, as well as the Henry Walser Funeral Home for their compassion and care.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 22 at Kitchener MB Church in the afternoon from 2-4 and in the evening from 7-9. There will be a celebration of Jake’s life on Saturday, April 23rd at 11 a.m. followed by a reception also held at Kitchener MB Church, 19 Ottawa Street, N.

Donations in memory of Jake Willms can be made to Camp Crossroads (Torrance, Ontario) and the Salama SHIELD Foundation (cards available at Henry Walser Funeral Home or by calling 519-749-8467).