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In this section:
Anne Dirks
Anne Dirks of Chilliwack, B.C passed away Aug. 11. She was born July 7, 1925 to Frank and Maria Klassen in Suvorovka, Siberia. In 1929 the family immigrated to Rosthern, Sask. In 1934 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where she attended Yarrow Mennonite Church. In her early teens, she accepted Christ. She attended Yarrow Bible School 1942-43. She was baptized Aug. 3, 1944. Music was dear to her; she sang soprano in the church and Bible school choirs. She learned to work hard at an early age. She worked in the kitchen of Riesen’s Home For Seniors for a few years. She married Henry Dirks June 22, 1947 in Yarrow MB Church. They began attending East Chilliwack MB Church in the 1950s, then Broadway MB Church in the 1970s. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She and Henry were involved in the food committees at both churches. She was president of the Ladies’ Pleasant Hour at Broadway MB Church. She loved to hear a good message on Sunday morning and was a regular attender of the mid-week Bible study. She did volunteer work for MCC and the Canadian Cancer Society. She enjoyed visiting family and friends in Saskatchewan and Ontario. In retirement, they travelled by motorhome across North America. They also toured the Holy Land and Europe. She loved nature, going for long walks and tending her garden. She encouraged her family in the things they were involved in. She enjoyed taking charge of events. She attended special events her family was involved in, group and choir performances. She enjoyed visiting, remembered names, places and dates, and put others first. She was kind, considerate, gracious and full of love. Predeceased by a brother, she is mourned by Henry; children Bernice Derksen and Dennis, both of Chilliwack; 5 sisters and 1 brother.
John F. Doerksen
John F. Doerksen of Saskatoon passed away Dec. 4. He was born Oct. 21, 1924 to Frank F. and Helena Doerksen in Olgafeld, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1925 and moved to a farm at Eyebrow, Sask. in 1926. He and his twin brother Henry loved working on the farm, often singing together while working. He completed grade 8 at Beacon School. In his youth, he accepted Christ during a revival meeting. He was baptized by Rev. H. S. Rempel and joined Herbert (Sask.) MB Church. He loved reading his Bible and could recite many pieces of Scripture from memory. He and Henry moved to Herbert with their parents in 1958, to Menno Home in Waldheim, Sask. in 1968 and to the Salvation Army Eventide Home in Saskatoon in 1983. Predeceased by his brother Jake, he is mourned by brothers Henry, Frank, Pete and Hardy; and sisters Helen Doerksen and Kathy Gerbrandt. A graveside service for the family was held Dec. 7 at the Herbert cemetery, with Cliff Janzen ministering. A memorial service was held Dec. 14 in the Eventide Home, with Major George and Margaret Evans ministering.
John Allen Guenther
John Allen Guenther of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 3. He was born Apr. 5, 1901 to Peter Herbert and Mary Guenther in Manitoba. He grew up in Steinbach, Man., where his father was a postmaster. He graduated from Bible Institute of Los Angeles and a Baptist seminary in California. He taught in Bible schools and elementary and secondary schools in Manitoba. In 1936 he married Anna Braun. They moved to B.C. He farmed 1946-68. He raised livestock and grew cash vegetable crops. He was a lay minister in Clearbrook and County line Churches and City Gospel Mission in Vancouver. He was a loving, devoted father who instilled in his children the value of hard work and getting a solid education. He was optimistic and productive. He had a deep, mellow baritone voice, and played hymns on the harmonica and violin. He was a keen student of the Bible; he could read the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. He enjoyed reading, research, writing, gardening, skating, swimming and visiting. He witnessed about his faith. He provided loving support to Anna. She died in 1980. He married Agnes Peters in January 1982. In retirement, he enjoyed a calm, contented, contemplative life. Agnes died in 1997. He spent the rest of his life in Tabor Home, Abbotsford. A meaningful Bible verse was John 11:25. He is mourned by his sons Victor, Allen and Harvey; daughter Helen; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 8 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Peter Dueck ministering.
Harvey Braun
Harvey Braun of Penticton, B.C. passed away Jan. 14. He was born May 2, 1918 to John and Susanna Braun in Slavograd. He came to Canada in 1926, settled in Herbert, Sask. for 2 years and then moved to Yarrow, B.C. He accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Yarrow MB Church. He attended Elim Bible School in Yarrow for 4 years and then MB Bible College in Winnipeg for 1 year. During World War II, he did alternative service on Vancouver Island and in Alberta. He then moved to Vancouver, where he worked in a furniture factory. He taught a large Sunday school class in Richmond, B.C., often picking up the children and helping them get ready. He served many years at Union Gospel Mission in downtown Vancouver, teaching Sunday school and preaching in the evening services. He also visited in various nursing homes. His younger siblings and his nieces and nephews enjoyed his occasional visits. He married Helen Enns June 28, 1969. They continued their ministry in Vancouver. In 1990 they moved to Penticton, where they were active in church and home Bible studies. He is mourned by Helen; brothers Jim, Ben, Dave and Fred; and sisters Martha Peters, Mary Stobbe and Susan Brandt. The funeral was Jan. 20 in First Baptist Church, Penticton, with Axel Schoeber and Ken Braun ministering.
Anna Klassen
Anna Klassen of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away Dec. 29. She was born Oct. 16, 1903 to John and Anna Unger in Dolunofka, Russia. In 1923 the family immigrated to Canada. While working as a cleaning lady, she added English to her German and Russian languages. In 1927 she married Henry H. Klassen, whom she had met on the ship to Canada. They farmed in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 1947 she was baptized, along with her 3 oldest children, and joined Morden (Man.) MB Church. She had a large garden in Morden and never sent visitors home without samples of fresh produce. In 1964 they moved to Port Rowan, Ont., where they farmed, retiring in 1972. At church, she enjoyed participating in the ladies’ sewing circle, of which she was president for a while. In 1978 they moved to Tabor Manor Apartments in St. Catharines. She made friends easily, often inviting other couples for meals. Her hands were never idle; she crocheted until age 95. She brought happiness and cheer by her visits to residents of Tabor Manor. After Henry died, she moved to Tabor Manor. She is remembered as a woman with amazing love and faith in her Lord Jesus, which she showed through her many encouraging words, her giving heart and her many stories that ended in a truth about Christ’s love. Predeceased by Henry and son David, she is mourned by children Benjamin, Emma Goerzen, Anena Eades, Eva Loewen, Frieda Dyck and Lydia Klassen; 33 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Jan. 3 in Port Rowan MB Church, with Ralph Teigrob, Sandy Young and Peter Loewen ministering.
Reuben S. Fischer
Reuben S. Fischer of Saskatoon passed away Dec. 8. He was born July 15, 1925 to John B. and Sarah Fischer at Laird, Sask., the youngest of 4 children. He grew up on the family farm and remained there following his marriage to Louise in 1951. After 5 years, he and Louise moved to Saskatoon. His career progressed from construction worker, carpenter and foreman to carpentry teacher and department head at Kelsey Institute, where he stayed for 25 years. He enjoyed golfing and fishing at Cowan Dam. He built 2 family homes. He loved to travel with Louise. In 1987 his health began to fail due to repeated small strokes, which affected his abilities and personality. After a massive stroke in October 1999, he moved to Central Haven Nursing Home. He is remembered for his easygoing nature and uncomplaining attitude. Predeceased by his parents, stepmother Agatha and 1 sister, he is mourned by Louise; children Audrey Neufeld, Donna McCullum and Robert; and 7 grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 12 in Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, with Abe Klassen ministering.
Joseph P. Olfert
Joseph P. Olfert of Winkler, Man. passed away Jan. 22, at age 90. He was born in 1910. Predeceased by wife Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) in 1976, second wife Helen in 1997, 1 grandson, 2 children in infancy, 2 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by daughters Milly Klassen of Altona, Man. and Lois Toews of Calgary; 2 grandchildren; 6 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 27 in Winkler MB Church, with Ted Goossen and John Stoesz ministering.
Anna Tiessen
Anna Tiessen passed away Dec. 28 at Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Mar. 24, 1908 to Abram and Anne Huebert in Friedensruh, Ukraine. The family fled to a refugee camp in Hammerstein, Germany in 1929 and immigrated to Point Pelee, Ont. in 1930. She was reunited with her fiancé Isaac Tiessen; they married in Leamington, Ont. in 1930. They pastored churches in Leamington, Chilliwack, B.C., Toronto, Kitchener, Ont. and Strathroy, Ont. Isaac died Nov. 28, 1999. She loved learning, and was one of the first women from Friedensruh to attend high school. After 1 year, she had to stay home to help with the family. She loved singing and sang in her father’s choir. She enjoyed reading, writing and composing poetry. Despite her busy life, she found time to write encouraging letters to family, friends, the lonely and the sick. In her later years, when Alzheimer’s had robbed her of so much, she could still remember special songs and poetry. Her deep faith in God was evident in her concern for others. Her home was always open to those needing a place to stay – Vacation Bible School teachers, the sick and church officials. Her greatest joy was when family was together. She is remembered for her special encouragement, her unconditional love and her admonition to “Love one another”. Predeceased by Isaac, she is mourned by sons Otto, John and Eric; daughter Erna; 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 4 in Leamington MB Church, with Henry Regier and David Derksen ministering.
Anne Krause
Anne (nee Schierling) Krause passed away Dec. 17 in Chilliwack, B.C. She was born Nov. 18, 1925 in Reinfeld, Russia. The family fled to Germany in 1929, where her brother died of rickets; 2 sisters and a newborn brother had died earlier. The family immigrated to Swift Current, Sask. in 1930 and later homesteaded at Frontier, Sask. As a child, she applied herself and wasn’t intimidated by difficulties, but was afraid of prairie storms. During an evening thunderstorm when she was 12, she ran to her mother, asking to receive Christ and find safety. In 1939 the family moved to Vauxhall, Alta. and bought land. She completed grade 7, then stayed at home to help on the farm. She attended church, grew in her faith, was baptized at 17 and joined the church. When the family moved to Yarrow, B.C., she worked on the berry farm. In 1950 she moved to Vancouver to complete her education. She attended night school while working full-time at Vancouver General Hospital. After Normal School, she taught 1 year in a one-room school at Garibaldi, B.C., then at Brackendale and Squamish, B.C. She developed a special needs program for children with learning disorders; her classroom became a resource for new ideas and teaching methods. For several years she was a consultant/ supervisor in Lillooet, B.C. In 1969 she married Carl Krause, a widower with 2 teenaged children and a 6-month-old granddaughter. She took on her new role with dedication and love. She taught for another 8 years, then retired to full-time homemaking. She and Carl travelled together. In 1994 she had surgery and chemotherapy for lymphoma, and Carl was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He died in May 1996 of cancer. Anne’s lymphoma returned in 1998, but after 3 chemotherapy treatments she decided to put her life completely in God’s hands. She was able to continue volunteer work at the MCC store, but regretted she couldn’t quilt anymore. She was grateful for the years when she had been able to contribute to MCC and Pioneer Girls. The memorial service was held Dec. 21 in Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, with Robert Friesen ministering.
Henry and Vera Janzen
Henry and Vera Janzen of Kingston, Ont. both passed away in 2000, Vera Mar. 31 of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), and Henry Oct. 14 of prostate cancer. Vera Martha was born May 20, 1927 to Jacob and Martha Isaak in Winnipeg. She attended school in Winnipeg and Ottawa, then studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg. The Isaaks were members of North End MB Church. Henry was born May 29, 1924 to Abram P. and Justina Janzen in Orloff, Sagradowka, Ukraine. The family immigrated to Manitoba in 1926. Henry went to school in the Lake District and Steinbach, Man. He was baptized and joined Steinbach MB Church. A conscientious objector during World War II, he worked as a translator in a camp for German POWs. After the war, he attended MBBC, where he met Vera. While Henry began university studies, Vera served with MCC in Akron, Pa. They married Sept. 16, 1950 in St. Catharines, Ont. During the 1950s, Henry completed his education and taught in Sioux Lookout, Ont., then Parry Sound, Ont. During the ‘60s, they were members of Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church. Henry taught at several Kitchener schools, including Rockway Mennonite Collegiate 1959-62. He also taught in Oakville and Port Credit, Ont. before moving to the Kingston area in 1970. Vera worked as a secretary for the school board, then Queen’s University in Kingston 1974-92, retiring as secretary to the Principal. Henry took early retirement in 1977. For the next 20 years, he showed his people-friendliness and concern in a wide variety of voluntary service, including prison ministry and service to seniors and various charities. Vera and Henry were known for their beautiful singing as a duet and in church choirs. Henry sang for some years with the Schneider Male Chorus in Kitchener. Henry was active in curling, hockey, swimming and racquet sports, and carried the Olympic Torch for 1 kilometre in the Kingston area in 1988. Throughout their Kingston years, Henry and Vera were active in the Alliance church. Henry pursued his interest in Anabaptist theology by taking courses at Queen’s. Both had a strong faith that sustained them through the difficult years of illness. Vera and Henry are mourned by sons Arthur, Victor and Gordon; 9 grandchildren; Vera’s 2 brothers and Henry’s 3 sisters.
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Last modified March 6, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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