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Artur Duerrstein
Artur Duerrstein of Waterloo, Ont. passed away Mar. 5 after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 27, 1927 to Robert and Lina Duerrstein in Trappstadt, Germany. He accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the Mennonite church at Trappstadt. In 1950 he was an exchange student at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan. In 1951 his family immigrated to Winnipeg; in 1952 they moved to a farm near St. Agatha, Ont. and joined Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church. Artur met Louise Bargen in Winnipeg. They married Nov. 8, 1952 and moved to the farm in Ontario. He served in the church as registrar, trustee, deacon, choir member and member of church council and the finance committee for 48 years. He sang in the “Male Jubilee Choir”. He was treasurer for the MCC Relief Sale in New Hamburg for 15 years and was treasurer for MCC Ontario. He was on many Ontario MB Conference committees, including Tabor Manor Board. He worked with troubled boys at Asable Springs Ranch. He was instrumental in the purchase of Camp Crossroads by the Ontario MB Conference in 1980. He was a school board trustee for Wilmot Township, was on the Board of Governors for Wilfrid Laurier University and was vice-chair and interim chair of Mennonite Savings and Credit Union. He was an active farmer, was a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and was on the Ontario Chicken Producers’ Marketing Board. His deepest love was for his family. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Louise; children Henry, Irma Lenz and Betty Penner; 6 grandchildren; and 2 brothers. The funeral was Mar. 10 in Kitchener MB Church, with Allan Labun and John Wall ministering.
Harry Woelk
Harry Woelk of Beechy, Sask. passed away accidently Mar. 21, while working on electrical lines at a Bible institute in Zimbabwe; he was electrocuted and died instantly. He was born June 11, 1944 to David and Gertrude Woelk in Beechy. The family farmed near Beechy. During his early years, he accepted Christ; in his teens he was baptized and joined Beechy MB Church. He attended Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., for 1 year and then studied agriculture for 3 years at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He farmed near Beechy. He taught Sunday school and was a youth sponsor at the church. He married Evelyn July 2, 1969. In 1982 they took their first overseas trip to Africa, sparking an interest in overseas mission work. For the winter months 1985-1996, they were self-supporting volunteer missionaries all over the world. In 1997 they retired from farming and went into full-time mission work under Brethren In Christ World Missions to Africa. He worked mainly in maintenance. Predeceased by his father in 1984, he is mourned by Evelyn; son Kevin; daughter Christine Elgersma; 1 granddaughter; his mother; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 22 in Zimbabwe. A memorial service was held Mar. 31 in Beechy, with Mike Housek officiating.
Judith Krahn
Judith Krahn of Rosthern, Sask. passed away Mar. 5. She was born Apr. 26, 1915 to Cornelius and Judith Wieler at Rosengart, Man. The family later homesteaded near Swift Current, Sask. She married Peter T. Krahn July 8, 1934. They farmed near Rosenhof and then lived in Swift Current. In 1994 they moved to Rosthern. She is remembered for her determination and optimism, which helped her overcome many hardships. She was a positive role model to her children, grandchildren and friends. She was a talented homemaker and a good cook. She was proud of her family and was excited to learn of their varied accomplishments. She was active in church for many years. In 1958 she joined the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church in Rhineland, Sask., and later was a member of Fairview Bible Church and then Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current. The last 6 years, she lived at Pineview Manor and Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home, where she made many friends. Predeceased by Peter in May 1994, 2 infant sons, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by children John of Calgary, Peter of White Rock, B.C., Helen Neufeld of Penticton, B.C., Ida Penno of Saskatoon, Mary Beswitherick of Austin, Man., Margaret Rose of Zehner, Sask., Linda of Big Lake Ranch, B.C. and Adeline Frostad of Caronport, Sask.; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 9 in Bridgeway Community Church, with Herman Neufeld ministering.
Henry Albert Nichol
Henry Albert Nichol passed away Mar. 4. He was born Nov. 14, 1918 to Andreas and Anna Nickel at Rosenwald, Barnaul, Siberia, the youngest of 9 surviving children. When he was 3, his parents died of typhoid fever. The children were raised by his uncle Ben and Sarah Nickel. In 1926 the 5 youngest orphans immigrated to Canada with the Nickels, leaving behind their older siblings who could not secure passports. For the next 20 years, he lived with relatives and then on his own in southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. At 15, he memorized 500 Bible verses, earning a week of summer camp at Gimli, Man., where he accepted Christ. He worked at various farms to pay for his education, and earned a teaching certificate. He taught in Osterwick, Man. He married Helen Warkentin June 16, 1946 in Winkler, Man. In 1947 they moved to a small hobby farm near Greendale, B.C. He worked at Canada Packers 1950-52, Dueck’s Building Supply 1953-55 and Chilliwack (B.C.) Post Office 1956-74, as well as maintaining a small dairy farm. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His faith in God was shown in daily living. He was a man of integrity, inspiring others. He was a member of Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, from 1948 until his death. He was a gifted storyteller in Sunday school. His sensitivity, wit and organizational skills enhanced the various church committees on which he served. He was secretary of the Board of Directors at First Heritage Credit Union for 15 years. In 1973 Helen died. He married Anna Siebert Mar. 23, 1974. He then was postmaster at Vedder Crossing Post Office, retiring in 1980. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. He loved playing with his grandchildren, taking them camping, telling them stories and helping them create things in his woodworking shop. He and Anna also enjoyed several trips across Canada and Europe. Despite failing health, his faith in God sustained and comforted him. He is mourned by Anna; daughter Evelyn Driediger; 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. The funeral was Mar. 8 in Greendale MB Church, with Reg Toews ministering.
Marian Doris Epp
Marian Doris Epp passed away Mar. 12 at Moose Jaw, Sask. She was born Feb. 10, 1945 to Cornie and Mary Epp in Swift Current, Sask. She loved music and singing, and enjoyed being with family. She especially enjoyed having coffee and cookies with family and friends. She was a happy child most of the time, but never grew to be strong and healthy. At 16, she moved to Valley View due to health reasons. She is mourned by her parents; brothers Jack and Ken; and 7 nieces and nephews. The funeral was Mar. 15 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Cliff Janzen ministering.
Peter Regehr
Peter Regehr of Vancouver passed away Mar. 16. He was born Nov. 19, 1923 to Peter and Anna Regehr in Alexanderfeld, Ukraine. His childhood consisted of hard work, poverty and working for the state. Under communist rule Christianity was forbidden, but his parents found creative ways to tell Bible stories to their children. In 1943 the family fled to Poland. He and his father were drafted into the German army. The night before he left home, he dedicated his life to Christ. His faith in Christ carried him through many dark hours. He was severely wounded and spent 3 months in a German hospital. At the end of the war, he was an American prisoner of war, but was later released. In 1948, with the help of relatives, he immigrated to B.C. In 1949 he moved to Vancouver and joined Vancouver MB Church. He married Martha Stobbe May 20, 1950. He built houses and apartment buildings in Vancouver, including his own homes. He and Martha became charter members of Fraserview MB Church in 1954 and of Killarney Park MB Church in 1961. He helped in various church ministries and had a real desire to serve God with his talents, gifts and finances. He contributed to the establishment and work of Columbia Bible Camp. Church life and faith in God were an integral part of his life. After he learned that his family was still alive in Russia, he wrote letters and sent many parcels to them. He ordered a Russian built car for them. His parents died in Russia before he could visit them. In 1977 his siblings began immigrating to Germany, where he visited them on numerous occasions. In 1977 he retired from construction and ran an apartment building he owned. He gave unselfishly of his time and resources wherever needed. He often worked on projects at home and at his daughters’ homes. His family benefited from his generosity, love, acceptance and wisdom. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Martha; daughters Herta and Donna; 4 grandsons; 3 sisters and 1 brother. A memorial service was held Mar. 22 in Killarney Park MB Church, with Ken Peters ministering.
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© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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