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“We Christians are not afraid on the night of death because our heavenly home is just on the other side. The resurrection of Christ changed the midnight of bereavement into a sunrise of reunion, the midnight of disappointment into a sunrise of joy, the midnight of fear to a sunrise of peace. When we look at all the beauty God has created on earth, can we comprehend what He has furnished for us in heaven? We would not long for heaven if the earth held only joy.” – Frank Goertz, 1918-2000
Frieda Braun
Frieda Braun of Virgil, Ont. passed away July 24. She was born in 1914 in Blumenfeld, Ukraine, one of 7 children of Heinrich and Helena Thiessen. At 5, she lost her father. At 15, she accepted Christ. She studied to be a midwife, but stopped her studies because she refused to accept communist teachings. In 1933 she married Jacob Janzen. Before their second child was born, they were forced to flee. Jacob died in prison. Weak and ill after childbirth, she was excused from farm labour at the collective in Einlage and was re-assigned to office work. Here she met Peter Braun. In 1943 they fled to the West, but she became separated from Peter and her family. They were reunited in Germany. They married in 1946. In 1948 they went to Paraguay. Here they were baptized. Daughters Elfrieda and Hedwig were born. In 1957 they immigrated to the Niagara area of Ontario. In 1996 her health began to fail. In 1999 she was diagnosed with breast, then bone and lung cancer. She remained at home, and daughter Helene provided full-time care for her. She suffered broken bones, but, when asked how things were, said “Look up”. Predeceased by Jacob and a grandson, she is mourned by Peter; children Frank, Helene, Elfrieda and Hedwig; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 28 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Ben Falk ministering.
Johann Klassen
Johann Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Aug. 27. He was born May 18, 1909 in Siberia. He received his formal education from his father. He married Liese Kasper Sept. 23, 1929. The next day, they immigrated to Paraguay, where they had many difficult years. During their first year here, he accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the MB church. He was active in the local MB church. They farmed and were involved in ministry to the Natives of the Chaco. He helped build the Filadelfia Hospital, the co-op store, an industrial complex, a high school and many other buildings. In 1967 they moved to St. Catharines, Ont., where they joined Scott St. MB Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir. In 1971 they moved to Vancouver. He worked in a cabinet factory. They joined Culloden MB Church. In 1975 they retired to Clearbrook, B.C. They joined King Road MB Church, Abbotsford. Predeceased by Liese Apr. 16, 1986, sons Peter in 1984 and Heinrich in 1994 and 2 children in infancy, he is mourned by children Hans of Abbotsford, Frank of Paraguay, Abram of 100 Mile House, B.C., Hilda Fischer of 108 Mile House, B.C. and Elizabeth Adam of Vancouver; 24 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Aug. 30 at King Road MB Church, with Peter C. Penner and Alvin Enns ministering.
Justina Boldt
Justina Boldt of Morden, Man. passed away June 13 in Winnipeg. She was born Mar. 28, 1909 to Heinrich and Justina Janzen in Klubnikovo, Orenburg, Russia. Some months later, the family settled in Schönwiese, Slavograd. At 10, she accepted Christ and had the assurance of salvation. At 14, she was baptized and joined Schönwiese MB Church. In 1929 the family immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. In 1931 they moved to Winnipeg. In 1932 she married Heinrich Boldt. They lived in various places in Manitoba: Hayfield, North Kildonan, McAuley, Alexander and Morden. They farmed for many years, retiring to Morden. Here they lived in their own home for 22 years, then in the Tabor Home apartments for 9 years. Heinrich died in 1997. She moved to Tabor Home. She is mourned by her sister Maria Klassen. The funeral was in Westside Community Church, Morden, with Russ Toews ministering.
Frank Goertz
Frank Goertz of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Aug. 23 of cancer. He was born July 24, 1918 in a Mennonite village in Ukraine. When he was 7, the family immigrated to Alberta. He knew hunger and hard work, working on the family farm. He said the greatest moment of his life was when he accepted Christ at age 12. He was baptized and dedicated his life to the service of God. He graduated from Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alta. He began a preaching ministry in a small new church in Saskatchewan. In 1941 he began a 42-year career with Sudan Interior Mission, working with the Nupe people in Nigeria. His work included school administration, preaching, translation and helping with medical emergencies. In 1945 he met Neva King; they married 3 years later in Oregon. In 1983 they retired to Abbotsford, where he taught Bible studies, continued his Nupe translation and never missed an opportunity to share his faith with others. In December 1999 Neva died. He found comfort in Psalm 116:15. In his loneliness and in his battle with cancer, his faith grew. He never lost hope, often quoting Romans 15:13. He was grateful for the prayers of others, seeing them as the extension of God’s loving arms. He is mourned by children Marilyn Deer and James; and 5 grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 25 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, with Christopher Douglas ministering.
John J. Friesen
John J. Friesen of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away Aug. 9 in Menno Hospital, Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Aug. 10, 1905 to Johann and Maria Friesen in Orlovo, Ukraine. In 1925 he immigrated to Canada. His family expected to follow, but he never saw his parents again, and was only able to visit 3 siblings in Russia 50 years later. For 10 years he worked in several provinces, eventually settling in Rosemary, Alta. In 1936 he married Mary Born. In 1945 they moved to a dairy farm in Chilliwack. In 1987 they moved to a condo. In 1988 Mary died. In October 1989 he married Helen Esau. He is remembered as a generous, loving husband, father and grandfather. He left fond memories and an example of a life well lived. He was a charter member of Eden Mennonite Church in Chilliwack. The last 4 years, he and Helen attended Chilliwack Central MB Church. He was director of East Chilliwack Co-op and was on the founding board of Menno Home in Abbotsford. He was an enthusiastic carpet bowler, enjoying this activity well into his 90s. He had good health until the last few months, when he often spoke of going home. Predeceased by Mary, a twin son and daughter in infancy, a brother and a sister, he is mourned by Helen; children Albert, Lenora Esau and Marlene Fehlauer, all of Chilliwack; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 stepchildren and their families; 1 brother and 2 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 14 in Eden Mennonite Church, with Dick Rempel and David Macfarlane ministering.
Helen Baerg
Helen Baerg of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away July 27 of pancreatic cancer. She was born Feb. 9, 1926 to Jacob and Justina Isaak in Neuschoensee, Ukraine. In 1929 the family immigrated to Lena, Man. In 1934 they moved to McCreary, Man. She attended school until grade 8, but was unable to continue due to a second bout with rheumatic fever. (It struck again when she was 20.) As a teen, she accepted Christ. In 1946 they moved to Aldergrove, B.C. She was baptized and joined East Aldergrove MB Church. In 1948 she married Bill Baerg. They lived in Greendale, B.C., where she worked hard, picking hops, berries and beans in the early years. They bought a first dairy farm in 1955 and a larger farm in 1959, retiring in 1988. In 1988 she had open heart surgery. She regained her strength and worked hard. She loved growing flowers, sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. She made afghans for each of her grandchildren. She and Bill enjoyed travelling throughout North America in their motor home. She was known for her hospitality; there was always room for one more at her table. It was important to her that her children and grandchildren were walking with the Lord. Before she died, she prayed that God would protect each one. She wished that she had told more people about Jesus. Predeceased by 2 sisters, she is mourned by Bill; children Bev McAllen of Texas, Judy Wiebe and Dorothy Dirks, both of Chilliwack, Mary Ellen Dick of Carberry, Man., Kathy Duerksen of Brookdale, Man. and Bill of Stanley, Iowa; 20 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The memorial service was held July 31 in Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, with Bob Friesen ministering.
Isaac Wittenberg
Isaac (Ike) Wittenberg of Tofield, Alta. passed away Aug. 26 of a heart attack. He was born Jan. 15, 1915 to Isaac and Susana Wittenberg in the Crimea, Russia. In 1925 the family immigrated to Mezeppa, Alta. He worked as a farm labourer and truck driver, then for the B.C. Forestry Service on Vancouver Island. He married Kay Boschman of Namaka, Alta. Oct. 3, 1942. They lived in Naniamo, B.C. In 1944 they moved to a farm at Tofield. Due to ill health, they moved to Tofield in 1979. Here he was introduced to golf, which he played for 20 years. He enjoyed meeting people while golfing, camping or shopping. He was an usher in the church for many years, which he saw as a service to the Lord. He is mourned by Kay; children Leonard of Kelowna, B.C., Margaret of Edmonton and Linda of Tofield; 7 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Aug. 29 in Tofield Gospel Church, with Wilf Richert ministering.
Previous | Next Last modified November 7, 2000.
© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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