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In this section:
Freda Isaak
Freda Isaak of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Apr. 4. She was born Nov. 29, 1920 to Herman and Agatha Sawatsky in Russia. They immigrated to Canada when she was a young child. Her father was a minister. She kept her Christian faith throughout her life. She worked and attended Bible school in Kelowna, B.C. She married Cornelius C. Isaak May 3, 1947. He worked in a logging camp. The operated a dairy farm in Aldergrove, B.C. She attended Aldergrove MB Church. She enjoyed baking Zwieback and other goods. She loved sewing for her grandchildren. In 1972 they retired to Clearbrook, B.C. and joined Bakerview MB Church. They joined Fraserway Decorators for a few years. They enjoyed camping and fishing. Cornelius died in June 1987. She volunteered at the MCC store, and did sewing and crocheting. Important verses were Isaiah 5:6-9. Predeceased by Cornelius and daughter Charlotte in 1988, she is mourned by daughters Sharon Klassen and Fern Muik; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 7 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Jacob Peter Martens
Jacob Peter Martens of Boissevain, Man. passed away Apr. 9. He was born Feb. 16, 1911 to Peter P. and Agnetha Martens in Kleefeld, Molotschna, Russia. He was a wonderful storyteller, who left a legacy of faith in God. In 1926 the family came to Canada, settling on a farm near Enterprise, Man. Shortly after, he committed his life to Christ. He was baptized June 17, 1927 and joined Lena MB Church. Church was an important part of his life; he was involved in many areas, including leadership, preaching and music. A few minutes before his death, he prayed for the Lord’s blessing on his family and the church. He attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School for 4 years. He married Mary Dueck June 11, 1942 in Minto United Church. They bought a farm in 1942. In 1966 they moved to another farm near Boissevain. In 1983 they moved to Boissevain. He remained interested and involved in farming until his death, even driving combine in the local Foodgrains Project in September 1999. He is remembered for his stories, poems, prayers and involvement in his family’s lives. Predeceased by 2 brothers, he is mourned by Mary; children John, Irene Deckert, David, Helen Penner and Ben; and 17 grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 12 in Boissevain MB Church, with Tom Warner ministering.
Walter Jakob Loewen
Walter Jakob Loewen of Winnipeg passed away Oct. 10 of a brain tumour. He was born Jan. 30, 1927 to Jakob Nikolaj and Margarete Loewen in Gnadenfeld, Ukraine. His father was arrested in 1936, and he never saw him again; he died in Russia in 1975. His mother led him to the Lord when he was 16 and taught him that the Lord would provide strength for difficult periods. He was baptized Apr. 4, 1943 and joined the Mennonite church in Gnadenfeld. In 1943 he, his mother and 3 siblings fled to Germany (one brother had died in 1941 and another in the military in 1944). In 1944 he was drafted. He was captured by the Russians and forced to work for over 3 years in a coal mine at Makoschau, Poland. During this time, his mother and sister died. With the aid of MCC, he was released to West Germany in 1948. In 1949 he immigrated to Culross, Man. He worked for his aunt and uncle, the David Klassens. In 1950 he moved to Winnipeg. He worked briefly at Monarch Machinery, then as a maintenance mechanic at Brook Bond Food Ltd.; he retired in 1989. He attended night school at MBCI. Here he met Elvira Teichrieb. They married Oct. 4, 1952. Family was important to him. He was reunited with his sister (1988) and brother (1991), who live in Germany. He was a meticulous craftsman. He could salvage things others thought unusable. He was very skilled with his hands, inventing a remote control braking system when his daughters were learning to drive. He was practical, had a subtle sense of humour, was a captivating storyteller and was very giving. He opened his home for family and neighbours for Friday night haircuts, served as a deacon in church, taught Sunday school and provided transportation to church activities for those who otherwise could not attend. He was so thankful for all he had been given, he did all he could to help others. He lived his faith daily. Predeceased by 3 siblings and 1 son in infancy, he is mourned by Elvira; children Hedy Joycey, Friede Thiessen, Nellie Groening and Frank; 13 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Oct. 14 at Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Abe Konrad and John Unger ministering.
Peter Henry Mierau
Peter Henry Mierau of Winnipeg passed away Dec. 31. He was born Oct. 21, 1915 to Heinrich and Helene Mierau in Golizynov, Ufa, Russia. His twin brother died at age 3. He completed high school in Ukraine. In 1939 he graduated from medical college in Odessa. Shortly after, he married Rosa Schneider, a classmate. They practised medicine south of Kiev. After 1943, he was drafted as a doctor into the German army. He became an American prisoner of war; his wife and daughter Irene were deported to Siberia. After his release, he found work in Gronau, Germany. He was baptized here in September 1948. In 1949 he immigrated to Canada. He spent 2 1/2 years convalescing from tuberculosis in hospital. He learned that Rosa had died and Irene had been adopted by his brother Jakob. Peter became a pathologist. In August 1954 he married Hilda Froese, and daughter Ursula was born 2 years later. In 1963 Irene was permitted to leave Russia and join them. He was a pathologist at Misericordia, Victoria and Concordia Hospitals in Winnipeg; he retired in 1980. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and at the cottage. He was a deacon in Central MB Church, Winnipeg. Predeceased by Rosa, 3 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Hilda; daughters Irene and Ursula; 5 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Jan. 5 in Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Keith Poysti and Jacob Pauls ministering.
Sara Loewen
Sara Loewen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away peacefully Mar. 29. She was born Mar. 9, 1915 to Henry and Sara Neumann in Gruenfeld, Barnaul Colony, west Siberia. She had a happy childhood. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada. They moved to a farm in Bredenbury, Sask. in 1928 and to Gem, Alta. in 1932. In 1936 she moved to B.C. She worked in Vancouver and attended Bible school. She was baptized in 1936 and joined Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church. In 1937 she moved to Calgary and found work. She married Martin Loewen Nov. 27, 1937 in Gem. In 1947 they moved to Abbotsford. They joined West Abbotsford Mennonite Church. She served at church functions, taught Sunday school, led Bible studies, was president of the Lydia Ladies Aid and was the church’s first deaconess. She especially ministered to widows. She was a charter member of Clearbrook Golden Age Society, serving in the Community Centre. She was contented and trusted the Lord all her life, leaning on Him when she needed Him the most. Her health deteriorated over the last 5 years. Predeceased by Martin in 1978, son Robert, 4 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by children Eleanor, Linda Danallanko, Laura, Margaret Osterreicher, Bill, Dave and John; 14 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters and 4 brothers. The funeral was Apr. 3 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Dick Rempel and Henry Thiessen ministering.
Henry Rabuka
Henry Rabuka of Arelee, Sask. passed away Dec. 9. He was born May 19, 1912 on the family homestead. As a boy, he accepted Christ with the help of Rev. Luke Krowchenko. Other mentors in his youth included Herman Fast, H. Thiessen and J.J. Wiens. The family was close friends of the Rev. John Harders from the Great Deer district. From youth he enjoyed cattle; he quit grade 8 in Perdue, Sask. to nurture a new calf. In 1926 he was baptized and became a lifelong member of Arelee MB Church. He farmed 1926-94. In church, he served in every ministry except preaching. He was one of the last ordained deacons, serving since 1946. In 1937 he married Edna Makaroff of Petrofka, Sask. In their home, they entertained many people, such as L.E. Maxwell, Henry Hildebrand, J.H. Epp, Leo Janz, J.B. Toews, J.J Toews, F.C. Peters, C.C. Peters, D.B. Wiens and D. Bergen. Henry was an avid Sunday school student. Toward his last years, he relished the instruction of Rueben Baerg. Even in hectic times of seeding and harvest, he always led his family in morning devotions, often reminding them that a wheat seed had to die to grow in glory. He is mourned by Edna of Saskatoon; sons Clarence of Regina, Lorne of Prince Albert, Sask. and Darle of Saskatoon; 7 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 14 in Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, with Archie Jantzen and Rueben Baerg ministering.
Lena F. Janzen
Lena F. Janzen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Apr. 1 of cancer and a broken hip. She was born Sept. 24, 1904 to David B. and Helena Friesen in Tiege #8, Sagradowka, Russia. She grew up in Altonau, where she sang in the choir. As the oldest of 7 children, she set a good example. In Altonau she accepted Christ. In 1920 she was baptized in the Inguletz River. In 1926 she married Jacob Franz Janzen. She had prayed for her future husband before she met him; he had survived narrow escapes from danger during 7 years as a soldier before becoming a Christian. They immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1926 and opened a grocery store. In 1932 they moved to Yarrow, B.C. They started a grocery store in Greendale, B.C. She helped in the store as well as raising 5 children and being active in Greendale MB Church, MCC and the Red Cross. She loved sewing dresses for the Red Cross. Her hands were never idle. Hospitality was a way of life. They hosted visiting preachers and quartets and boarded Bible school teachers. Their home was open to many friends. She was a born storyteller, telling stories, singing songs and playing games with her children. Their hardware store (Greendale Electric) was damaged in the 1948 flood, and recovery was difficult. When Jacob retired, they baked and cooked together. In 1976 they moved to Abbotsford. She sorted yarn at the MCC store and crocheted over 600 afghans for MCC and some for her family. She taught herself to type. Her story Journey of Courage was published in 1995. She made her last 2 afghans and continued typing after moving to Menno Home in March 1999. The move was difficult, but she made new friends. Predeceased by Jacob in 1978, son Johnnie, a great-granddaughter, 1 sister and 3 brothers, she is mourned by children Lena Harder, Nettie Anne Yeske, Rosella Wiebe and Fred; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Apr. 8 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Ross Johnston and Don Enns ministering.
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© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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