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In this section:
Helen Kroeker
Helen Kroeker of Rosthern, Sask. passed away Sept. 24. She was born Apr. 14, 1913 to Peter and Elisabeth Thielman in Nikolaidorf, Russia. When she was 9, her father died. In 1925 the family immigrated to Herbert, Sask. Things were difficult, but they felt safe, and God was good to them. In her teens, she helped support the family by doing housework and odd jobs. In 1930 she married Bill Kroeker. During evangelistic services in the area, she and Bill dedicated their lives to the Lord; they never doubted God would be there for them. In 1931 they moved to Hepburn, Sask., a move that was hard for her. She was a hard worker, stooking for neighbours while attending to her children. In 1939 daughter Ruby died of diphtheria; she never got over the loss. In 1945 they moved to B.C., and bought a dairy farm, but they moved back to Hepburn in 1946 to do grain and mixed farming. They were active in church and were church stewards for many years. She loved teaching Sunday school, especially her own grandchildren. She also enjoyed the ladies’ aides and fellowship. In 1959 she accepted a cooking job at Bethany Bible Institute. Bill joined her a couple of years later. They were known to students as “Ma” and “Pa”. They retired in 1981. In 1996 they moved to Pineview at Mennonite Nursing Home, Rosthern. Six weeks later, Bill died. In 1998 she moved to the personal care home. Predeceased by Bill, daughter Ruby and 3 siblings, she is mourned by daughter Alice; 5 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. A memorial service was held Sept. 29 in Hepburn MB Church, with Ross Penner and Jeff Peters ministering.
Clarence Willems
Clarence Willems of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Nov. 10 of a heart attack. He was born Jan. 21, 1915 to Henry A. and Augusta Willems in Waldheim, Sask. He accepted the Lord early in life and was baptized in Brotherfield MB Church. He attended Bethany Bible Institute. He married Hilda Ewert in 1938. In 1941 they moved to Abbotsford, where he farmed. He also worked for McMahon Industries as a mill worker and lumber grader for 33 years. As a charter member of Central Heights MB Church, he sang in choirs, taught Sunday school and did custodial work. After years of hard work and willingly helping others, he courageously faced the challenge of living his last 6 years in a wheelchair as a result of a stroke. Predeceased by 1 brother and 1 sister, he is mourned by Hilda; children Arlene Balzer, Gloria Wiebe, Marilyn Wedel, Ron, Jim, Rick, Jack, and Bonnie Brauer; 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 16 in Central Heights MB Church, with Chris Douglas, Henry Wiebe and Jake Balzer ministering.
Peter A. Wiebe
Peter A. Wiebe of Manitou, Man. passed away Nov. 17 at age 82. He was a conscientious objector during World War II and worked in lumber camps in Ontario. He married Helen Dyck June 21, 1947. They lived near Plum Coulee and Gretna, Man., where he was a mechanic. In 1962 he began working for Dave Voth & Sons and moved his family to Manitou. He later worked for Letkeman and Sons and then Konrad & Voth, retiring in 1983. They also lived on and ran a small livestock farm. In retirement, he enjoyed helping others with farm repairs and travelling with family and friends. He is mourned by Helen; children Janet of Calgary, Richard of Manitou, Ron of Winkler, Man., Judy Bird of Manitou, Ray of Winkler, Jerry of Brandon, Man. and Dennis of Swan River, Man.; 20 grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 20 in Manitou MB Church, with John Nikkel and John Heinrichs ministering.
Nellie Wiebe
Nellie Wiebe of Chilliwack, B.C. passed away Dec. 19. She was born Aug. 11, 1911 to Henry and Pauline Tessman in Alexanderpol, Russia. She accepted Christ at 16 and was baptized later that summer. The family immigrated to Canada, settling in Manitou, Man. in 1930. She married Isaac Wiebe June 26, 1936 in Manitou MB Church. In 1945 Isaac broke his back in an accident. Upon the advice of doctors, they moved to B.C. They bought a small farm in East Chilliwack, where they lived for over 30 years. They were active in East Chilliwack MB Church. They retired to Chilliwack. After many strokes, Isaac died in 1984. She enjoyed being a wife, mother and grandmother and was a great role model. She was hospitable, always having an open door for guests. She is remembered for her wonderful baking and cooking, for the knitting and crocheting she did for others, and for her unconditional love and prayers. She lived according to the advice she gave her granddaughter: “Live your life well so that in the end you have no regrets. Always stay true to God; love and care for others.” She is mourned by children Anne Wiebe and Martha Willms, both of Kelowna, B.C., Nellie Janzen of Abbotsford, B.C. and Elmer of Chilliwack; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Dec. 23 in Chilliwack Central MB Church, with Adam Wiggins ministering.
Isaac I. Toews
Isaac I. Toews of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 1. He was born Apr. 14, 1912 to Isaac David and Elizabeth Toews in Petrovka, Orenburg, Russia. His mother was a caring, loving parent who gave him special care when he had rickets. She died of typhus when he was 10. He lived with his Uncle Henry Derksen, who fascinated him with woodworking, and then his grandmother, until his father remarried. In 1926 the family immigrated to Saskatchewan. He stayed at Gus Ediger’s for several years, attending church and school with the Ediger children. Griesch Willms provided a home for him for 2 years. He did well at school, but later had to continue his education by correspondence. He loved music and played tenor guitar in an amateur quartet; they won first prize at a festival and performed on radio in Regina. He committed his life to Christ at an evangelistic meeting; he was baptized in Lake Manitou by Mr. Esau. He attended Hepburn (Sask.) Bible School for a year. He taught himself to play the violin, later refining his skills under John Konrad in Winnipeg. He played in Ben Horch’s orchestra for many years. In 1941 he married Frieda Isaac in Winnipeg. They attended North Kildonan MB Church. He worked for DeFehr Furniture for 2 years, then started his own upholstery business. They moved to Surrey, B.C. in 1971, then Abbotsford, where they joined Bakerview MB Church. He made furniture for MCC. He played in the Golden Strings Orchestra for many years and accompanied Bakerview’s Fellowship Choir. The last 4 years he found walking difficult as a result of a stroke. Frieda faithfully care for him as long as she was able; then he moved to Menno Hospital. He is remembered as a caring husband, father and grandfather. Predeceased by 3 brothers, 1 sister and 1 half-sister, he is mourned by Frieda; children Bruno and Marion Reimer, both of Lethbridge, Alta., Richard of Abbotsford, Naomi Searle of Chemainus, B.C. and Beverley Patterson of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 5 half-sisters and 4 half-brothers. A memorial service was held Dec. 8 in Bakerview MB Church, with Jacob Quiring, Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Aron A. Janzen
Aron A. Janzen passed away Dec. 14 in Lethbridge, Alta. He was born Sept. 28, 1901 to Aron and Maria Janzen in Alexanderfeld, Sagradowka, Ukraine. In 1923 he married Maria Steingart of Neu Halbstadt. In 1926 they immigrated to Manitoba. He worked as a farm labourer. They then moved to Coaldale, where they bought 80 acres from the CPR. A cookhouse on wheels was their first home. They began potato farming and ran a successful small farm for 32 years. In 1931 he was baptized and joined Coaldale MB Church. He had a deep faith in the Lord and attended church as long as his health allowed. They moved to Coaldale in 1963, retiring and selling the farm in 1969. For years, he printed the church bulletins on a hand-operated Gestetner. A highlight was a weekly fishing trip with friends. He loved to travel, including a trip to Russia with Maria and trips to Germany to visit relatives with daughter Mary at age 89 and 91. At 97, he visited his sisters in Abbotsford, B.C. After Maria was hospitalized, he moved into Sunny South Lodge, Lethbridge. Maria died in 1993. He had good health until suffering a broken hip in October 2000. Predeceased by Maria, infant daughter Gertrude, sons Henry and Aron, 1 brother and 3 sisters, he is mourned by daughters Mary Dueck of Coaldale and Elsie Thiessen of Calgary; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 19 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Annetta Katharina Toews
Annetta Katharina Toews of Vineland, Ont. passed away Oct. 24 of cancer. She was born Nov. 17, 1939 to Jacob and Aganetha Reimer in North Kildonan, Man. They lived near Altona, Man. and Gruenthal, Man. and moved to St. Catharines, Ont. in 1944 and Vineland in 1945. She accepted Christ, was baptized Aug. 7, 1955 by Heinrich Wiebe and joined Vineland MB Church. She was active in church ministries throughout her life. She graduated from Eden Christian College in 1957, then studied to become a teacher. She married William Toews, a nurse, Dec. 26, 1959. They lived in Vineland. She taught in Jordan, Ont., then in Vineland. Daughter Patricia Ann died Oct. 13, 1968 and son William Wray died May 5, 1965; both had Hurler’s syndrome. They moved to Toronto, then to Blenheim, Ont. She took evening and summer classes, earning a B.A. from the University of Windsor in 1974. She taught special education at South Western Regional Centre, Cedar Springs. In 1978 they moved to a farm in Campden. She helped with the farm after school. They sold the farm and moved to Vineland Station, Ont. She taught at Park Academy, a Christian school, in Burlington, Ont., 1980-94. Surgery in summer 1994 was followed by extensive cancer treatments. She returned to teaching in 1995 and retired in 1998. In August 2000 they moved to Heritage Village. She enjoyed travelling, including trips across Canada to visit their children. She is mourned by William; children Michael, Jennifer Moyer and Kathleen Thielmann; and 3 grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 27 in Vineland MB Church, with Henry Wiebe ministering.
John Edwin Wallace
John Edwin Wallace of Assiniboia, Sask. passed away Dec. 10. He was born Nov. 28, 1905 to Rev. John Henry and Rachel Hannah Wallace at Humesville, Man. In 1910 the family moved to the Woodrow, Sask. area, where he spent his entire life. He was baptized by Helmut Schroeder and joined Woodrow Gospel Chapel Dec. 19, 1971. In 1974 he moved to Pioneer Lodge, Assiniboia. He was a happy Christian who loved to help others and share his strong faith. He was predeceased by his sisters Lillian, Beatrice Longworth and Amanda Hughes; and brothers Harry and Albert. The funeral was Dec. 14 at the Apostolic Church, with Les Fischer ministering.
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Last modified January 31, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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