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Jacob Regier
Jacob Regier of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 23. He was born Feb. 7, 1907 to Jacob and Agatha Regier in Felsenbach, Russia. As a young man, he accepted Christ; at 18, he was baptized. In 1929 he left for Canada while his family was rerouted to Paraguay. He joined relatives in Saskatchewan. He married Justina, whom he knew from Russia. They farmed. In 1938 they moved to the Fraser Valley in B.C. In 1941 Justina died giving birth to their 7th child. In 1942 he married Katerina. Five more children were born. They continued to expand the farm. In 1963 they sold their mixed farm. They moved 3 times before retiring to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church in 1975. Katerina died in March 1995. He lived on his own and enjoyed cooking. He then lived in Menno Pavilion for a short time before moving to Tabor Home in Abbotsford in 1997. Music was a big part of his life. He led choirs and congregational singing, and sang in the choir well into his 80s. He often played harmonica while Katerina played guitar. He loved gardening. His balcony was filled with geraniums. He made clothes hangers, giving many to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He had a good sense of humour. Predeceased by Justina and Katerina and daughters Ann and Tina, he is mourned by daughters Elizabeth, Nettie, Stella, Esther and Marlene; sons Jake, Art, Victor, Abe and Walter; 29 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 27 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen, Jay Neufeld, Eldon DeFehr and John E. Klassen ministering.
Sue Nikkel
Sue Nikkel passed away Nov. 6. She was born Oct. 17, 1938 in Coaldale, Alta. When she was 2, the family moved to Yarrow, B.C. As a child, she understood the need for a personal relationship with Jesus. In her teens, she was baptized and joined Yarrow MB Church. She attended Sharon High School. In 1956 the family moved to Vancouver. She finished high school at Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C. She studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg for 2 years, followed by a year at St. Boniface Nursing School. She later completed medical assistant’s courses at BCIT. She worked at various jobs, including 15 years at Neon Products. For the past 16 years, she was a medical secretary at the intensive care unit at the B.C. Children’s Hospital. She loved nature, never tiring of its beauty, and loved singing in church, college and secular choirs. She enjoyed reading. She participated in Sunday school, choir and care group ministry at Fraserview MB Church and Killarney Park MB Church, Vancouver. For the past 16 years, she was an active, faithful member of Burnaby (B.C.) Christian Fellowship. She provided a home for her niece Carissa for the past 9 years. She loved family get-togethers and extended family reunions. A favourite Bible verse was Hebrews 13:15-16. She is mourned by 2 brothers and 5 sisters. The memorial service was Nov. 11 at Burnaby Christian Fellowship, with Ruth Blight ministering. Another memorial service was held Nov. 18 at B.C. Children’s Hospital.
Jacob Enns
Jacob (Jake) Enns passed away Nov. 8. He was born Dec. 12, 1913 to Jacob and Marie Enns in Arkadak, Russia. In 1926 the family came to Manitoba. In 1936 he moved to Greendale, B.C. He worked at the hop farm. On Oct. 2, 1938, he married Elsie Koehn. A conscientious objector, he spent the war years farming. They moved to the hop farm, where he was promoted to foreman in 1956. Son Ed died in 1971, which had a great effect on Jake. He decided to commit himself to God. In July 1972 he was baptized. He retired from the hop farm in 1981. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. He kept in touch with the earth by having a green lawn and growing vegetables at his home in Sardis, B.C. He was a quiet, strong, reliable, hardworking man who disliked gossip. He was an observer of life, and he wept at the troubles of others. He loved Elsie, his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Predeceased by son Ed, he is mourned by Elsie; sons Art and Gerry; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 13, with Dave Froese ministering at the interment service and Reg Toews ministering at the memorial service in Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C.
Isaac Henry Tiessen
Isaac Henry Tiessen passed away Nov. 28 in St. Catharines, Ont. He was born May 6, 1904 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Thiessen in Krutojarovka, Ukraine. When Isaac was 14, his 3 brothers were murdered during the Russian Revolution. His father’s prayers for the salvation of the killers impressed Isaac. The family fled to Friedensruh, Molotschna, Ukraine, where he completed high school. In March 1923 he made his commitment to the Lord based on Romans 10:9,10 after a revival meeting. He preached his first sermon when there was no preacher at a revival meeting. In 1925 he immigrated to Leamington, Ont. He worked on farms and in orchards. He married Anna Huebert, his girlfriend from Russia, on Nov. 2, 1930. In 1935 he was ordained. He worked for H.J. Heinz for 23 years while pastoring Leamington MB Church. He was moderator of the Ontario MB Conference for 10 years. In 1958 he accepted a pastorate in Chilliwack, B.C. In 1964 he became interim pastor in Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church. He later helped plant a church in Toronto. In 1971 he retired to Strathroy, Ont., where he was chaplain in a number of nursing homes in the London area and pastored Komoka MB Church for a year. He helped develop a large print hymnal “Sing Your Way Home” which has sold 100,000 copies. A moving event of his later years was his role in the MB apology to the Conference Mennonites for MB’s harsh treatment of intermarriage. At age 86, he wrote Why I Do Not Take the Sword. He was an avid reader, keeping abreast of religious and secular issues. He loved to travel. He had a passion for gardening, especially fruit trees and melons. In 1998 he moved to Tabor Manor. He firmly believed that Jesus’ way was the way of nonviolent love. He is mourned by Anna; sons Otto, John and Eric; daughter Erna Landeen; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 4 in Leamington MB Church.
Peter Pauls
Peter Pauls of Calgary passed away Oct. 23. He was born July 20, 1919 to Hermann and Wilhelmina Pauls in Wymyschle, Poland. He was baptized Aug. 28, 1938 and joined the MB church; he remained a faithful MB church member all his life. He married Minna Ratzlaff Mar. 8, 1941. In May 1941 he was drafted into the German army, serving over 3 years on the Russian front. He was wounded, then oversaw prisoners of war at Ilitz, Rastow, Mecklenburg. He and Minna stayed in Ilitz after the war, fleeing to West Germany in 1948. In 1949 they immigrated to Coaldale, Alta., where he worked for 1 year in sugar beets. He then worked in house construction. In 1954 they moved to Calgary, where he worked in road construction for the city until 1980. After retirement, he loved to travel in Canada and abroad. Predeceased by 2 sisters and 1 brother, he is mourned by Minna; 4 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Oct. 27 in Highland MB Church, Calgary, with Harry Heidebrecht ministering.
Shirley Evelyn Harder
Shirley Evelyn Harder of Brandon, Man. passed away Oct. 13. She was born Jan. 8, 1940 in Elm Creek, Man. She completed her education in Carman, Man. She later worked as an IBM keypunch operator for Manitoba Medical. She considered her role as wife and mother to be her first priority. She was a member of Richmond Park MB Church in Brandon, and served with Youth for Christ as a volunteer “telefriend”. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school. She loved animals, especially her dog “Lifesaver”. She is remembered as a wonderful wife and mother who loved God and had a strong faith and a sensitive, kind, loving nature. Predeceased by her father, a brother and a sister, she is mourned by her husband Ed; sons Mark and Jerry; daughter Cindy Castillo; and 6 grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 16 in Richmond Park MB Church, with Reuben Willems and Dave Mickalishen ministering.
John J. Pauls
John J. Pauls of Altona, Man. passed away Oct. 14 in Calgary of a heart attack and stroke. He was born Dec. 1, 1924 to John and Katherine Pauls in Saratov, Russia. In 1925 the family immigrated to Canada, settling near Beechy, Sask. They later moved to Main Centre, Sask. At 14, he accepted Christ. He attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School, and MB Bible College for 3 years. He was involved in music. He married Betty Bartel of Leamington, Ont. They settled in Winnipeg so he could attend Normal School. He taught 3 years at Moray School, a 1-room country school, and 3 years at Lord Wolseley in Winnipeg. In 1957 he started work with radio station CFAM in Altona, selling advertising and later working his way up to the engineering department; he enjoyed his work very much and retired after 32 years. Predeceased by a sister in infancy, he is mourned by Betty; son Herb of Plum Coulee, Man.; daughters Rose of Winnipeg and Nancy of Gretna, Man.; 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandsons; 5 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 20 in South Park MB Church, Altona, with Bob Enns ministering.
Mary Dyck
Mary Dyck of Richmond, B.C. passed away Nov. 22 in an accident. She was born Jan. 2, 1908 to Jakob J. and Anna Sawatzky in Alexanderheim, South Russia. When she was 2, the family moved to a new Mennonite settlement in Saratov, Arkadak. Here she received her education, developed her interest in music, found faith and was baptized in the MB church. In 1926 the family immigrated to Borden, Sask., settling in Richard, Sask. She worked in Saskatoon as a housekeeper and nanny to help support her family. They attended Mullingar MB Church. She married Jacob A. Dyck, a homesteader, Oct. 26, 1930. In 1938 they moved to Yarrow, B.C. Jake worked in construction; she picked hops and raspberries and tended her gardens. She was active in the church choir and in various women’s groups. Since 1950, they have lived in Vancouver and Richmond. They took care of the orphaned children of Jake’s missionary brother and his wife who died in a plane accident in 1957. She willingly accepted this added responsibility and was generous, available, encouraging and supportive to all her children. Predeceased by 4 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by Jake; children Harold, Leonora, Vi and Ron; chosen children Roland, Rodney, Nancy and Marlene; 24 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 27 in Fraserview MB Church, Richmond, with Dan Unrau ministering.
Jacob Berg
Jacob Berg of Sardis, B.C. passed away Oct. 3. He was born Feb. 22, 1917 to Jacob and Katherine Berg in Blumenort, Russia. In 1926 he immigrated to Canada with his mother, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. They settled in Manitoba. In 1931 they moved to Sardis. He married Hannah Friesen Aug. 15, 1942. They farmed for many years. He loved nature and working outdoors. They attended Sardis Community Church, where he was an usher for many years. He retired in 1991. During the past 2 years, his health declined. He was diagnosed with cancer, and spent the last five weeks in hospital. Predeceased by 3 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Hannah; daughters Doreen Stobbe, Lorane Fehr, Barbara McKinley and Sherry Erier; son Rob; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Oct. 7 in Sardis Community Church, with Graeme Isbister ministering.
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© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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