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Olga Siemens
Olga Siemens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 14. She was born Mar. 3, 1926 to Jacob and Suzanna Dueck in Aliessova, Orenburg, Russia. In 1926 the family immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. Her mother died when Olga was 11. Her father married Lixabeth a year later, but she died after 2 years, and he then married Helen when Olga was 14. Olga was housekeeper and caregiver for her younger siblings. She also worked at the sugar beet farm. She accepted Christ at an early age. She sang in the church choir. She attended Coaldale Bible school for 1 year. At 21, she was a cook at the Bible School. Later she picked fruit and worked in a cannery in Kelowna, B.C. She married Abe Siemens in September 1949. They lived in Kelowna. In 1956 they moved to Abbotsford, where Abe worked at MSA Motors. Olga worked hard to give her children good Christmases and other family celebrations. They attended Central Heights MB Church, where she was secretary for the primary Sunday school department and sang in the choir. They later attended Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, where she found joy singing and fellowshipping. She enjoyed working at the MCC Thrift Store. She was a gracious hostess, opening her home to family and friends and baking pies, tarts and doughnuts. She collected linens, dishes and pretty things. She is remembered as a faithful, loving wife, caring mother, special grandmother and sincere friend. She had a caring, servant heart. She used her many talents generously in service to God, the church, her family and the community. After being diagnosed with cancer in August 2000, she still showed hospitality and concern for others. Predeceased by Abe in 1997, she is mourned by children Alfred of Japan, Floyd of St. Catharines, Ont. and Shirley Madeley of Richmond, B.C.; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 4 brothers and 5 sisters. A memorial service was held Oct. 20 in Bakerview MB Church, with Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Diedrich Schroeder
Diedrich “Dick” Schroeder of Niverville, Man. passed away Nov. 3. He was born Mar. 26, 1927 near Plum Coulee, Man. He settled in the Roseau River area. He worked for the telephone company logging and putting in lines, and later in feedmills in Niverville and Landmark, Man. He was baptized June 5, 1955. He married Susanna Guenther July 2, 1955. Predeceased by Susanna Dec. 3, 1996 and daughter Janet Rose at birth, he is mourned by daughter Anna Elaine of Niverville and 2 grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 7 in Niverville MB Church, with Rick McCorkindale ministering.
Mary Neufeld
Mary Neufeld of Tabor Home, Abbotsford, B.C., passed away Oct. 13. She was born Oct. 3, 1915 to Johann and Susanna Krahn on a farm near McMahon, Sask. The eldest daughter in a family of 13, she spent many hours doing housework, farm chores, cooking and laundry. She loved animals, particularly remembering when her father allowed her to take the horses’ reins. She married Henry Neufeld, a widower with 5 children, July 23, 1946 in Reinfeld, Man. Two more children were born. The sold their store and bought a small farm near Abbotsford, where they raised chickens and grew raspberries, retiring in 1976. They moved to Swift Current, Sask., but 6 years later returned to Abbotsford. Mary found the Lord early and followed His teachings throughout her life. She loved the church, and many of her days were given to its work. She loved to cook; many of her family and friends received her baking, bread and especially pies. Her sewing machine was one of life’s joys; she loved making things for family, particularly her granddaughters. She also loved to shop and socialize. In later years, she often travelled many miles around Clearbrook on her scooter. She is mourned by Henry; children Jack, Henry, John, Warren, Anne, Mary and Susanna; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 4 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 17 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Henry Born ministering.
Margaret Falk
Margaret Falk of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 21. She was born June 4, 1906 to Rev. Johann and Anna Dueck in Rosthern, Sask. They attended Eigenheim Church. Morning chores were followed by Bible reading and prayer on their knees. She believed the prayers of her parents kept her from many sins. She was baptized at 14. She married Henry Falk Nov. 4, 1926. The night before her wedding, she prayed that God would be first in their marriage. As time went on, she learned Henry was not a Christian. Baby Elma died Dec. 25, 1933 after the stove had fallen over, scalding her with coffee, 2 days earlier. Margaret took this very hard. After that experience, Henry came to the Lord. They lived in Hepburn, Sask. for 3 years, on Vancouver Island for 6 years and in Aldergrove, B.C. for a year, then farmed in Arnold, B.C. for 23 years. They had cows, chickens, raspberries, strawberries and beans. They were busy and never rich, but had many blessings. In 1966 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. and joined Clearbrook MB Church. Margaret sang in the senior choir. She enjoyed singing. She and Henry were deacons. She crocheted tablecloths for her children and grandchildren. She worked at Menno Home in Abbotsford for 6 years, and then at Clearbrook Frozen Foods until retirement. Henry died suddenly Oct. 3, 1974. She lived with daughter Elsie. She was in hospital many times, but always recovered. In 1996 she moved to Menno Home. In her last years, she longed to go home to her Lord. Predeceased by Henry; daughter Elma, a grandson and a great-grandson, she is mourned by children Elsie, Werner, Hilda Heinrichs, Edna Enns, Arnold, Luella Berg and Ervin; 21 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The memorial service was held Oct. 27 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld, Peter J. Klassen and Dave Epp ministering.
Jacob Regehr
Jacob Regehr of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 21. He was born Mar. 15, 1924 to Johann and Maria Regehr in Alexanderpol, Russia. When he was 6, the family immigrated to Germany. They then moved to Fernheim Colony, Paraguay, later settling in Friesland Colony. At 14, he accepted Christ. He was baptized as a teen and joined the MB church. He sang for many years in the church and village choirs. One night, when he was unable to sleep and battling a problem, he heard a voice say “You are not alone.” He took this as a word of comfort from the Lord, and repeated these words during difficult times. At 33, he married Anna Hildebrandt, a widow with 2 daughters; 4 more children were born. In 1976 they moved to Vancouver. In 1994 they moved to Clearbrook, where they joined Clearbrook MB Church. He was an usher. In 1991 he had heart surgery. During the last year, he had poor health. Ps.121:1,2 were important to him. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Anna; children Anni Derksen, Dorothea Gerbrandt, Hedwig Rempel, Franz, Alice Warkentin and Elfrieda Gossen; grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Oct. 26 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Jay Neufeld ministering.
Margaret Ewert
Margaret Ewert of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 6. She was born Aug. 18, 1900 to the Mr. and Mrs. Abram Wiebe in Waldeck, Memrik Colony, Ukraine, the fourth child in a family of 8 girls and 1 boy. In her youth, she put her faith in Christ and was baptized in the MB church. In 1920 she married David Ewert from Alexanderhof, Memrik. In 1926 they immigrated to Herbert, Sask. They worked for farmers for a year, then moved to Risor, Ont., where David worked in the lumber industry. After 2 years, they moved to Linden, Alta., then Grassy Lake, Alta. They then obtained a farm in Coaldale, Alta. She enjoyed farm life, participating in all aspects of it. Deeply devout, hardworking and jovial, she was always concerned about the welfare of her children. After 15 years on an irrigation farm, they moved to Chilliwack, B.C., where they bought a dairy farm. Eventually, they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. They moved to a condo, then to Tabor Home, Abbotsford, in 1984. David died in 1989. She found this hard. Predeceased by David and son John in 1943, she is mourned by children David, Margaret Rempel, Abe, Elizabeth Brandt and Henry; 19 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen, Jay Neufeld, David Ewert and Peter Dueck ministering.
Peter John Penner
Peter John Penner of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 7. He was born Feb.19, 1916 to John and Maria Penner in Chernyvka, Russia. They lived in Olgafeld. When he was 10, the family immigrated to a farm at Niverville, Man. He loved school, attending for 6 years. He then helped support the family. His teacher, Agatha Dyck, led him to the Lord when he was 11. His bent for things mechanical and keen mind showed up early in life. Following alternative service, he worked in orchards and a sanatorium in Ontario. He married Mary Regehr July 22, 1944 in Vineland, Ont. They farmed in Manitoba, but experienced crop failures. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. He worked at various jobs, eventually becoming a mechanic. In 1951 they moved to a 5-acre homestead in Black Creek, B.C. After a few years, they bought a 25-acre farm, raising cows, pigs, chickens, geese, berries, an orchard and a garden. They helped other families in crisis by caring for children in their home for periods of time. He had a strong reliance on God. He changed careers from a heavy duty mechanic to truck driver. Each day, he prayed for God’s protection; he never had a road accident. In 1971 they moved to Abbotsford. In 1974 they began raising Cornish hens and roasters. He enjoyed singing with Men of Song. He and Mary were part of the food service team in Central Heights MB Church. He always had a bicycle for his grandchildren to ride when they visited. They took several trips by car to visit family. In 1985 they had a car accident, Mary was handicapped from the injuries, and their travelling became more limited. In 1987 they moved to a smaller place with a shop. He built wooden toys for his grandchildren and MCC and tended fruit trees, flowers, berries and garden. He is remembered for his hugs, stories and questions. In 1997 they moved to Garden Park Tower. He loved to go for lunches and coffee. He spent hours reading historical novels and newspapers. In 1998 his health began to decline. He spent many hours reflecting on his life, praying and listening to music. He had spent his life close to God and experienced God’s leading when unsure of what decision to make. He prayed daily for his family. He is mourned by Mary; children Ron, Irene Wiens and Leona Peters; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 4 brothers and 1 sister. The memorial service was held in Central Heights MB Church.
Susanna Thiessen
Susanna Thiessen of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away Nov. 10. She was born Apr. 19, 1905, the second of 10 children, to Heinrich and Tina Boldt in Karlovka, Ukraine. Her father died at age 48, her mother at 50. In 1927 she married Jakob Thiessen. They had 5 children; 2 died in infancy. In 1937 Jakob was taken by the KGB. He died Dec. 16, 1942 in a labour camp. She eventually found work milking cows. In 1941 she and her children were shipped to Siberia. She had to leave her children with a Russian woman while she worked on a farm. She was not allowed to go home at night. In 1942 she was taken to a work camp. She left her children with her sister Anna, who had 4 children. She had traded her clothes for food for her children, but it ran out before she left. Son Victor, 7, died of starvation in March 1943. She escaped to find her children and became sick. She recovered and took her children 3 days away to her sister Agatha. A few days later, she was sent to prison for 7 years. In 1946, after 11 months, she was released. She recovered and found work on a farm. In 1957 she and her children moved to Novosibirsk, Russia. In 1974 they immigrated to St. Catharines. She joined Scott St. MB Church, where she attended as long as she was able. She was part of the ladies’ fellowship in the church. She enjoyed knitting afghans, going out for meals or coffee and taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was baptized in her younger years in Ukraine. She remained a Christian throughout her life and enjoyed reading the Bible and having daily devotions. She is mourned by children Erika and Rudolf; 5 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother in Germany. The funeral was Nov. 14 in Scott St. MB Church, with Paul Fast ministering.
Previous | Next Last modified January 3, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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