The Experience Lingers On...A Farewell to Ken Cressman

Today, I was looking at the picture of our Learning Tour group, which I still posted on the wall next to my desk, reminiscing about our time in Burkina Faso. The invitation paragraph of our blog states, "the experience lingers on." As I looked at the photo, my gaze stopped on Ken Cressman. It saddens me to report that Ken passed away very suddenly last month (I have included Ken's obituary below).

Ken and I remained in contact over the last few years since our Burkina Faso adventure. I especially appreciated receiving Ken & Helen's Christmas letter every year and reading about yet another series of courses Ken had taken or was considering taking. We had several visits over the past few years running into each other at MCEC events and a few other happen chance occasions.

Attending Ken's funeral on January 16, our Learning Tour experiences in Burkina Faso were referenced numerous times. It was a blessing to be a part of celebrating Ken's life and remembering the brief days we shared together in Burkina. The experience does linger...rest in God's embrace my friend. 

Obituary of CRESSMAN, Kenneth Willard
Born February 10, 1935 in Wilmot Township, passed away suddenly on January 10, 2014 at age 78. He was the son of Zenas Cressman (1994) and Mabel Hannah Burkhart (1946). Remembered by his wife, Helen Ruth Burkholder, children Kevin, Sheila, Denise (Mao) and Stephanie (Charles), and stepmother Eloise Cressman. Also survived by six grandchildren, Sophia, Bianca and Avalene Fraresso and Jessamine, Rose-Hélène and Benjamin Le. Missed by sisters and brothers Jean Swartzentruber, Joyce and Kaye Collard, Glen and Ruth Cressman, Lyle and Karen Cressman, Eileen and Willis Freeman. Ken taught secondary school for over thirty years in Campbellford, Simcoe and Paris, Ontario. Following retirement, he did substitute teaching in Paris, Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. He also did volunteer work at Waterloo-Oxford DSS near Baden for a number of years. Ken was active in teaching adult Sunday school in his home church and took courses at Conestoga College. At the age of 75, he graduated with a Masters of Theological Studies from the University of Waterloo, to go alongside his Masters of Geography degree. Visitation will be held at the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, New Hamburg on Wednesday, January 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will take place at Nith Valley Mennonite Church on Thursday, January 16 at 3 p.m., followed by food and fellowship. Private family interment in Nith Valley Mennonite Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Mennonite Central Committee (school kits). Online condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca