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Stewart Morley
Stewart Morley of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Nov. 23. He was born in Surrey, England. In 1926, at age 7, he came to Canada with his widowed father and 3 sisters. They settled in Namao, Alta. During the Depression, the children lived with families where there was enough to eat while his father worked at various jobs to help support them. When Stewart was old enough, he went to work. One job was at the Carbondale mines, tacking whatever task was given to him. He loved helping others, especially if that involved physical labour. In 1939 he joined the Canadian army. While in training, he was blinded in one eye, so did not go overseas, but instead trained soldiers. After the war, he received tradesman training, becoming a carpenter. He enjoyed the challenges of renovating and building new, as long as he could be creative. He was a superb craftsman. He married Mildred. He was active in church. After the death of son Lance, they attended Willingdon MB Church in Burnaby, B.C., where they found what they were searching for. He grew spiritually, and became a caring, loving and compassionate man. He learned to be joyful and humble. Once critical, he developed an attitude of helpfulness and supportiveness. He was active in the telecare ministry in the church. In 1991 Mildred died. He married Gladys in 1993. He learned to use humour to resolve differences. In the last years he suffered heart problems. He made a bike rack for their condominium in his last month. They moved to Abbotsford, joining Clearbrook MB Church in October 1999. He is mourned by Gladys; 2 sons; 1 daughter; and grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 29 in Willingdon Church with Carlin Weinhauer ministering.
Jacob Jantz
Jacob Jantz of Kelowna, B.C. passed away Dec. 7. He was born Sept. 7, 1929 to Jacob and Olga Jantz in Friedensfeld, Ukraine. In 1937 his father and other men of the village were taken away, never to return, leaving Olga to care for Jake and his sister Irene. Later, cousin Luise joined the family. In 1943 the family fled west. His mother never wavered in her faith in God. In 1948 they immigrated to Dundurn, Sask., later settling in Saskatoon. In 1952 he married Olga Nickel of Saskatoon. They were baptized at First Mennonite Church, Saskatoon in 1958. He began his own business, Modern Iron Products, in Saskatoon. After about 20 years, he moved to Hay River, N.W.T., where he was a welding and shop instructor in a vocational school; he saw this as an opportunity to teach skills and character. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. After retiring from teaching, he worked at Brenda Mine in Peachland, B.C. and also renovated and built houses. They joined Kelowna Gospel Fellowship. He is remembered as a man of his word, with strong opinions and convictions, who had come to a settled faith in Christ, especially during his years of illness. He was an activist who enjoyed making things and working with others. He is mourned by Olga; sons Stuart, Kelvin, Jordan and Jeffrey; and 10 grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 13 in Kelowna Gospel Fellowship, with Larry Schram ministering.
Katie Klassen
Katie Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Nov. 26. She was born Feb. 4, 1912 to Johan and Katharina Klassen in Gussarowka, Naumenko, Ukraine. Her mother died of typhus; her father married his wife’s sister Maria Holzrichter. In her graduating year of elementary school, she accepted Christ. She stayed with her uncle and aunt while attending Zentralschule (junior high) in Ignatjew, village No. 5. Then she worked in the office of a cooperative sunflower and linseed oil extraction factory. In 1929-30 the family immigrated to Manitou, Man. In 1931 they moved to Morden, Man., where she completed high school and worked as a domestic. In 1932 she was baptized in Winnipeg and joined the MB church. In 1937 they moved to Winnipeg. Here she worked for L. Heaton, a piano teacher. She developed an interest in piano. She worked in various offices in Winnipeg. In 1936 she became a charter member of South End MB Church. She played piano for church choirs, ladies’ aids and Sunday school. In 1946 she moved to Vancouver, finding work in the Hudson’s Bay Co. office. She joined 43rd Ave. MB Church, serving as pianist. In 1968 she moved to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church and serving as pianist for the church and choir. In 1985 she resigned to take care of her widowed father. In August 1992 she developed pneumonia. In September 1993 she had a stroke. After a year of therapy, she was able to play piano again. In 1993 she moved to Tabor Home. She spent her last months in Worthington Pavilion. Her first love was Christ and the church; her second love was piano and music. Predeceased by 2 brothers and a sister, she is mourned by 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 1 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Peter J. Klassen, Eldon DeFehr and Jay Neufeld ministering.
Sara Martens
Sara Martens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 3. She was born Sept. 15, 1910 to Heinrich and Anna Braun. They lived in Alexandrowka, Siberia. At an early age, she accepted Christ, led by Katarina Hiebert, her aunt and Sunday school teacher. She enjoyed Sunday school, where she learned many hymns which blessed her later in life. She sang in the choir. She married Jacob Martens Jan. 26, 1928, sewing her dress and his suit for the occasion. Heinrich bought a small farm for them. In 1929 they immigrated to Canada. After working near Clairmont, Alta. for a year, they moved to La Glace, Alta. to farm. Here they rededicated their lives to Christ. In 1931 they were baptized, joining La Glace MB Church. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. In 1945 they moved to a dairy farm on Fairfield Island, B.C. In 1948 a son died in infancy, and their farm flooded. They later moved to Sardis, B.C., where they raised cattle and grew cash crops. They moved to Chilliwack, B.C. and later to Clearbrook, B.C. In 1981 Jacob died. Sara leaned on God’s promise that He would never leave or forsake her. She joined Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford. She sewed dresses, blankets and other items for her grandchildren, and hundreds of blankets for MCC, and kept in contact with many friends by doing alterations. In 1996 she had asthma attacks and found it difficult to walk. In November 1996 she moved to Menno Home. She continued to sew for MCC. She found strength in Psalm 50:15. Her prayer was that all her family would come to know the Lord. Predeceased by Jacob, she is mourned by sons Jake and George; 5 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 7 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Jay Neufeld ministering.
Andrew Kliever
Andrew Kliever of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 19. He was born Dec. 2, 1910 to Andreas and Ottilie Kliewer of Wymyschle, Poland. He had little schooling, but enjoyed history and math. At 14, he went to work. In Poland, he became a Christian. At 19, he immigrated to Canada, joining his older brother Peter in Drake, Sask. Here he worked on farms and was baptized. A year later, he moved to Alberta to work on his uncle Ben Ratzlaff’s farm. He then worked on farms near Red Deer, Alta. for 10 years. During this time, he broke his back when a wagon overturned. In 1941 he suffered another accident on a farm near Edmonton. He moved to Calgary and attended Bible school. In 1944 he married Nellie Loewen. They lived in Calgary, where he worked in a meat packing plant and attended Bible school at night. In 1944 they farmed near Calgary. They then moved to her parents’ place near Linden, Alta. to farm. In 1951 they moved to Abbotsford, where they cleared 20 acres of stumps for a dairy, chicken and berry farm. Due to back problems, he studied at Chilliwack (B.C.) Business College. He worked for a car dealership in Abbotsford 1957-73. He was involved in church, including about 10 years in various leadership positions and teaching adult Sunday school at the Alliance church. They were charter members of the Free Church, where he served in similar capacities for 10 years. Several years later, he suffered his first stroke. His hands shook, but his mind remained clear. In 1987 they moved to a condo and joined Clearbrook MB Church. In 1995 he suffered his first heart attack. In September 1999 he moved into a care home. He wanted to go home to heaven. He is remembered as a faithful husband, a caring father and a loving grandfather. He is mourned by Nellie; children Marion Singer of Harrison, B.C., Jean Friesen of Langley, B.C. and Harvey of Abbotsford; 6 grandchildren and 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 23 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and John E. Klassen ministering.
Elizabeth Klassen
Elizabeth (Betty) Klassen passed away Dec. 10. She was born in 1919 in Arkadak, Russia. In 1925 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Saskatchewan. They later moved to Manitoba. In 1935 they moved to Vancouver. As a teen, she accepted Christ and was baptized in the Fraser River. She married John K. Enns in 1942. They co-owned the Clearbrook 5 cents to $1 store for 20 years. They were charter members of Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., where they were deacons for many years. She was active in women’s church groups and Pioneer Girls, and volunteered at the MCC store. John died in 1974. She married Abe Klassen in 1985. They enjoyed travelling. They spent a winter volunteering at Lithuania Christian College. Hospitality, grace and concern for others were hallmarks of her life. She is also remembered for her years of cheerful work as a clerk at the Clearbrook store and later in the Eaton’s fabric department. Predeceased by first husband John, she is mourned by Abe; daughter Ruth Nickel; son Terry Enns; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. The memorial service was Dec. 14 in Bakerview MB Church, with Henry Thiessen and J. Quiring ministering.
Abram M. Martens
Abram M. Martens of Steinbach, Man. passed away Nov. 28. He was born Mar. 9, 1905 to Abram P. and Margareta J. Martens in Steinfeld, Ukraine. His mother died when he was 7. He grew up on a farm until his teens. He was baptized June 16, 1924. He married Katharina Bergen Sept. 12, 1925, a union blessed with 15 children. In 1926 they immigrated to Canada. They farmed near Grunthal, Man. They attended Elim Mennonite Church. He was a trustee in the Gravel Ridge School District and organized a community choir. In 1960 they moved closer to town. He derived much satisfaction from landscaping the yard and gardening. In 1973 they moved to Steinbach. Shortly after, Katharina died. He married childhood friend Anna Falk Sept. 7, 1974. They joined Steinbach MB Church. Anna died Mar. 24, 1998. He is mourned by sons Henry, John, Peter, Jake and Art; daughters Margaret, Helen and Alice; grandchildren and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 2 in Steinbach MB Church, with Norm Neufeld and Keith Poysti ministering.
Martha Janz
Martha Janz of Calgary passed away Sept. 12 of cancer. She was born Aug. 12, 1931 to Daniel and Wanda Prochnau in Wymyschle, Poland. In her teens, the family was separated by the war and she had to do slave labour. Christian songs and choruses she had learned as a child were a source of joy and encouragement. With the help of MCC, she and her mother and siblings reached Germany in 1948, where they were reunited with her father. She was baptized in the refugee camp in Gronau, Germany. In 1949 they immigrated to Canada. She worked 1 year on a farm in Linden, Alta. She later moved to Calgary. She married Helmut Janz in 1953. They were active in Calgary City Mission and later in Highland MB Church. She supported Helmut at his job and in the church. She loved music, her garden, her flowers and her children and grandchildren. Above all, she loved Jesus and looked forward to seeing Him. She is mourned by Helmut; son Rick; daughter Sharon Gray; 6 grandchildren; 1 brother and 2 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 16 in Highland MB Church, with Harry Heidebrecht ministering.
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© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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