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In this section:
Peter Friesen
Peter Friesen of Vancouver passed away Nov. 20, after a brief struggle with A.L.S. He was born May 20, 1925 to John and Tina Friesen in Woolsey, Ont. At 13, he began working on the family farm in Grunthal, Man. In 1944 the family moved to Yarrow, B.C. He accepted Christ; he was baptized in the river in spring 1947. That year, he attended Yarrow Bible School. He married Anne Dyck June 12, 1949. They lived in Vancouver and attended Killarney Park MB Church. As a builder, he applied his God-given creativity and eye for quality to all his work. In his later years, he prayed constantly for those he loved, particularly his children and grandchildren. He is mourned by Anne; children Edith, Victor, Kathie and Gary; 9 grandchildren and 3 sisters. The memorial service was Nov. 25 in Killarney Park MB Church, with Ken Peters ministering.
Kathryne Cornelia Schroeder
Kathryne Cornelia Schroeder of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 3. She was born Feb. 25, 1920 to Cornelius and Susanna Matthies in New Samara, Russia. When she was 1, her mother died. Her father married Amalia Isaak, a widow with 2 children. In 1925 the family immigrated to Rabbit Lake, Sask. She went to school till grade 9. She left home at age 16 or 17 to work as a housekeeper. At 18, she committed her life to the Lord. She was baptized at Lone Pine Lake, Sask. and joined Mullingar MB Church. She moved to Winnipeg in 1943 and Vancouver in 1946. She attended South Abbotsford Bible School for 4 years. She married Henry Klein Sept. 21, 1951 in Vancouver MB Church. In 1952 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where Henry taught at the Bible school. They returned to Vancouver, where Henry did millwork and served as a lay pastor. In 1955 they moved to Richmond, B.C. Henry died unexpectedly May 6, 1959 following surgery. She was a good mother to daughter Evelyn, providing food from her large garden and re-sewing clothing. Her faith in God was strong. She taught the senior high girls’ Sunday school class in Vancouver MB Church for many years. In the late 1960s, she took business courses at night school. She joined Richmond Bethel MB Church. In 1971 she moved to a condo in Steveston. She worked at a Dairy Queen and then was manager of a Laura Secord store. She got her driver’s licence at 55 and bought a car. She married Fred Schroeder, a widower with 5 children, Feb. 2, 1976 in Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Richmond. She joined King Road MB Church in Abbotsford. She was a loving stepmother. She and Fred travelled to Germany and Hawaii and within North America. In later years, they moved to a condo and joined Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford. She always had flowers blooming on her patio, enjoyed having company for meals and loved making treats for her grandchildren and looking after Fred. Fred moved to a care home in March 2000; he died May 7, 2000. She was diagnosed with cancer in April 2000 and entered hospital. Her faith in God never wavered. She was concerned to the end that her children and grandchildren would meet her in heaven. Predeceased by both husbands and a grandson, she is mourned by daughter Evelyn Kliewer; stepchildren Elli Driediger, Chris of Qatar, Ethel Valiant, Walter and John; 2 grandchildren; 13 stepgrandchildren; 6 stepgreat-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 stepsister. The funeral was Jan. 22 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen, Eldon DeFehr and John E. Klassen ministering.
Mary Doerksen/Dick
Mary Doerksen/Dick of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 14. She was born May 20, 1915 to Heinrich and Anna Olfert in Gnadental, Baratov Colony, Ukraine. In 1927 the family immigrated to Rosengart, Man. She completed grade 5 in Steinbach, Man. The family moved to Griswold, Man, where they farmed for 5 years. She left school to help on the farm. They moved to a homestead at McCreary, Man., where Mary helped her brothers clear bush, dig wells and care for livestock. In 1935 she went to Winnipeg to work in wealthy homes. She married Herman Doerksen July 1, 1939 at Pigeon Lake, Man. They were baptized and joined South End MB Church in Winnipeg. In 1946 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where Henry worked in the automotive trade. In 1947 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. They joined North Abbotsford (now Clearbrook) MB Church. Mary was involved in sewing circles, choirs, refugee relief work and caring for seniors in her home. She volunteered at Menno Home and the Red Cross. For years she picked berries and hops and worked for Clearbrook Frozen Foods. She was chief cook at Clarendon Court (a Baptist seniors’ home) in Vancouver in the late 1960s and was a nanny in Vancouver in the early 70s. In 1977 Herman died of a heart attack. A year later, she married Jacob J. Dick, a former missionary to India. They later travelled across Europe to visit the mission in India. Shortly thereafter, Jacob died of a heart attack. She lived alone for 20 years, most of that time in Fernwood Manor. Her health declined, and though she was unable to attend church, she faithfully listened to the church broadcast at home. She is remembered as a kind, generous, loving person whose strong faith sustained her through ill health and good times. Family was important to her. Predeceased by both husbands, 4 brothers, 3 sisters and stepson Paul Dueck, she is mourned by children Irene Schmor, Henry and John; stepchildren Helga Good, Harold, Bill, Marge Sykes, Helen Friesen and Elizabeth Olausen; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson and 4 brothers. The memorial service was Jan. 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen and Jay Neufeld ministering.
Tina Doerksen
Tina Doerksen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 28. She was born Oct. 10, 1909 to Gerhard and Sarah Wohlgemuth in the Crimea, Russia, the oldest of 8 siblings. In her teens, she committed her life to Christ, was baptized and joined the church. She sang in the church choir and was a soloist at choir festivals. In 1929 the family fled to Germany. They moved to the Chaco, Paraguay, settling in Schoenwiese, Fernheim Colony in 1930. Here 4 of her siblings died of typhus. She did housework and cared for children in Asunción, Paraguay to help support the family. She married Peter G. Doerksen June 23, 1935. In 1939 they moved to Filadelfia, Fernheim Colony, Paraguay. They moved to Steinbach, Man. in 1949 and to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1953. They joined Clearbrook MB Church. For several years they were janitors. She sang in choirs, participated in ladies’ groups and supported MB missions. She worked in a variety of ways to help support the family. She worked full-time at Glacier Cold Storage, retiring in 1974. She did volunteer work for MCC, the Red Cross and CNIB and kitchen work at the Golden Age Society complex. Her motto was “Give it away to those in need because you can’t take it with you when you leave this world.” In their golden years, they moved to Evergreen Village. Peter died in 1987. In 1998 she moved to Maplewood House and in 1999 to Menno Hospital Extended Care Unit. Predeceased by Peter, 2 grandchildren and all her siblings, she is mourned by children Harry, Helmut, Inge Schmidt, Hart, Edith Dahl, Zeke and Victor; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Jan. 4 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Helmut Doerksen ministering.
Katie Reimer
Katie Reimer of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 9. She was born Feb. 13, 1909 to Frank and Maria Klassen in Rosenthal, Ukraine, the eldest of 4 children. In 1924 the family immigrated to Herbert, Sask. She accepted Christ at 13 and was baptized at 17. Her mother died in 1929. Her father married Katherine Krickan. Katie married John L. Reimer Dec. 21, 1930. Predeceased by 3 brothers and 2 great-grandchildren, she is mourned by John; daughters Luetta Isaak and Alita Neufeldt; sons John, Frank, Vern and Jim; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 stepbrothers and 1 stepsister. The memorial service was Dec. 14 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld ministering.
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Last modified March 20, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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