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In this section:
Peter Langeman
Peter Langeman of Kingsville, Ont. passed away Sept. 28 at age 80. In 1937, while living with his grandparents in Gladwyn, Mich., he received Christ at evangelistic services. In 1939 he was baptized and joined Leamington (Ont.) MB Church. In fall 1939 he attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School. He married Irene Berg. In 1954 he began Langeman’s Welding Service, which later was incorporated as Langeman Manufacturing. He was well known in the community for his many inventions of farm and industrial machinery. He was awarded “Essex County Man of the Year” for his contributions to the agricultural community. He is remembered for his honesty and integrity in business, his generosity, his hugs and his love of family and friends. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Irene; children Joan Dean and Gary, both of Kingsville, Beth Loewen of Leamington, Marjorie Friesen of Waterloo, Ont. and Robert of Leamington; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother.
Anna Ratzlaff
Anna Ratzlaff of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Sept. 10. She was born July 2, 1910 in Lichtfelde, Molotschna, Ukraine, the youngest child in the Epp family. Her father was a minister in the Mennonite church. The songs he sang stayed with her till the end of her life. She hoped to become a doctor. In 1922 her father died. Her mother died when Anna was 16. She began attending medical school in Halbstadt but was not allowed to continue because she had become a Christian. She moved to Shumanowka, Amur, Siberia. In 1930 she fled to China. In Harbin, she was baptized and married Abram Ratzlaff. They later immigrated to Fernheim, Paraguay. She and Abram became missionaries to the Lengua tribe. Her medical training came in handy. While in this work, their 2 small children died, and she lost the sight in one eye at age 27. After a few years as managers of the mission compound, they returned to farming. In 1947, MCC bought their land for refugees, and they joined the MB church in Neuland. When she was 60, they immigrated to Vancouver due to her health problems. They worked and bought a house. They were custodians at Culloden MB Church for several years and then moved to Clearbrook, B.C. They worked at Tabor Home till retirement. They joined Clearbrook MB Church. In 1981 Abram died. Anna moved to a condo. She worked for MCC and Helping Hands as long as she was able. Her last years were spent in Tabor Home. She took part in activities as long as she could. Her favourite Scripture was Psalm 13:5-6. She had the gift of hospitality. Her home was open to all, regardless of race, politics or religion. She was always busy doing things for others. She wrote letters and sent birthday cards to all her children and grandchildren and prayed regularly for them. In her last audible prayer, she thanked God repeatedly for all His goodness. Predeceased by 2 children in infancy, Abram, daughter Kaethe and 1 grandson, she is mourned by children Else, Adeline, Annie, Gerhard and Heinz; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 14 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Peter Dueck ministering.
Katherina (Tina) Dueck
Katherina (Tina) Dueck of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Aug. 25 after a week with pneumonia. She was born Feb. 2, 1913 to Henry and Elizabeth Janzen in Orenburg, Russia. When she was a baby, the family immigrated to Winkler, Man. She accepted Christ at 13 and was baptized at 16. She attended Winkler Bible School for a year, worked for a short time as a housekeeper in Winnipeg and then helped on the family farm. She married John Klassen of Claire, Sask. June 11, 1940. They struggled to make a living on a rented farm in Claire. In 1943 they moved to Mt. Lehman, B.C., farming until 1971. They were charter members of and active participants in East Aldergrove MB Church, which formed in 1947. She enjoyed singing in quartets and ladies’ groups. John died unexpectedly in 1972. Her strong faith in God carried her through. She married Jacob Dueck Dec. 27, 1975. In 1995 they joined Clearbrook MB Church. She was never idle, working long hours making various crafts and blankets and bandages for MCC. She enjoyed helping at the MCC store. She was non-judgemental, accepting and encouraging. She is remembered for a wonderful sense of humour, warm welcomes, strong hugs, a positive outlook on and love for life and a strong faith in God. She had the ability to make the best of each situation. Predeceased by John, stepson Walter, 2 brothers, 3 half-brothers and 2 half-sisters, she is mourned by children Esther Froese, Ed, Doreen Froese, Dan and Dave; stepdaughters Alice Wiens and Leona Anastasiades; 23 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Aug. 31 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen, Jay Neufeld and Art Isaac ministering.
Mary Thiessen
Mary Thiessen passed away Sept. 10 in Strathmore, Alta. She was born June 16, 1910 to Abram and Anna Willms in Russia. At 14, she came to Canada. She worked as a housekeeper in various homes. She married George Thiessen Jan. 28, 1933. They farmed near Namaka, Alta. until George died in 1992. In 1994 she moved from Calgary back to the original homestead to be closer to family. Her life revolved around her family. Though quiet, she was an excellent hostess. She enjoyed cooking and baking. One of her last projects was to crochet tablecloths for her 10 grandchildren. She enjoyed church, finding it hard to accept when she could no longer attend services. She was involved in quilting, knitting and crocheting for MCC and found it hard when she was unable to do these things. She is remembered as a selfless, caring, praying mother. Predeceased by George in 1992, daughter Linda in 1937, son George in 1943, 1 great-granddaughter, 3 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by children Victor of Linden, Alta., Willard of Sidney, B.C. and Elsie Nikkel of Strathmore; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother.
William Rempel
William “Bill” Rempel of Winnipeg passed away Apr. 11, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was born Aug. 13, 1934 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Rempel near Rosengard, Man. He grew up with 5 brothers and 5 sisters on a farm near Osborne, Man. He made the decision to follow Jesus in 1950 while attending evangelistic meetings led by J.A. Toews in La Salle, Man. His interest in engineering was evident at an early age. He loved to fix mechanical things and was good at it. After attending a year at MBCI, he helped his parents on the farm. Later he attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School. In 1957 he and his younger brother Herman rented the farm from their father. In 1959 they each bought a half-section of this land. He married Margaret Thiessen Sept. 30, 1961. In 1974 he graduated in agricultural engineering from the University of Manitoba. His first engineering job was at Co-op Implements. In 1978 they moved to Winnipeg. They joined Fort Garry MB Church, where he served as a trustee and for 15 years as treasurer and assistant treasurer. In 1985 he accepted a new job with the Industrial Technology Centre as engineering advisor to small businesses. He retired in September 1999 when it became apparent that his 6-year battle with cancer was terminal. He is mourned by Margaret; sons Richard of Winnipeg and Timothy of Steinbach, Man.; and 4 granddaughters. The funeral was Apr. 15 in Fort Garry MB Church, with Cal Bergen ministering.
Henry Walde
Henry Walde of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Sept. 8 after a heart attack. He was born Apr. 21, 1907, the third child of 4 boys and 3 girls born to Abraham and Agatha Walde in Orloff, Sagradovka, Russia. In November 1919 his father, grandfather and 3 uncles were massacred by bandits. At 19, he came to Canada to find peace. He worked as a farmhand in Niverville, Man., then Regina. At 20, he accepted Christ; he was baptized the next year. After a winter at Herbert (Sask.) Bible School, he began farming in Kindersley, Sask. He married Anna Krahn. They farmed here for 6 years, enduring drought and grasshoppers. They farmed for 3 more hard years at Glenbush, Sask., then moved for 9 years to Gem, Alta., where farming was better. Anna died 4 days after giving birth to their fifth child. Ten months later, he met Susie Martens of Coaldale, Alta. They married a few weeks later. She was a good helpmate who enjoyed farming and gardening as much as he did. Three more children were born. In 1947 they moved to Chilliwack, B.C. They spent the next 32 years milking cows, raising chickens, cleaning eggs and growing vegetables and berries. They attended church regularly. They were charter members of Broadway MB Church. In 1978 they retired from farming and became involved in making blankets for MCC. He cut squares from old clothes and ironed them for Susie to assemble and sew. Together they made over 3,000 blankets for MCC 1985-90. In 1998 they fully retired to Menno Terrace in Abbotsford. Susie died 6 months later. In 1999 he moved to Menno Home. He is mourned by his children Hilda Stewart, Henry, Anne Unger, Irma Mitchell, Mag Cross, Joanne Peerless, Alice Gray and Albert; 26 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. A memorial service was held Sept. 12 in Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, with Bob Friesen ministering.
Previous | Next Last modified November 29, 2000.
© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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