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In this section:
Andrew Lloyd Nikkel
Andrew Lloyd Nikkel passed away Sept. 21. He was born Apr. 5, 1976 to John and Maryanne Nikkel in Steinbach, Man. At 6 weeks, he was diagnosed with severe heart problems and had major heart surgery. Over the next 6 years, he had 7 operations; he responded exceptionally well to the last one. He was a normal student. He enjoyed sports in a limited way, even playing minor hockey for several years. His body outgrew the artificial heart valve he received at age 6, but doctors were reluctant to replace it since he was living a normal life. As a child, he made a decision to be a follower of Jesus, and he never wavered from that decision. His faith in Jesus gave him much joy and assurance. He graduated from high school in 1994 and spent 2 years at Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute. He moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where he attended University College of the Fraser Valley for 4 years, with the goal of becoming a teacher. Living with a valve that was too small for his body imposed limitations. In March 2001, he was hospitalized with double pneumonia and a blood infection which attacked the heart valve. He underwent surgery to replace the infected valve and made a slow recovery. He had a severe setback Sept. 19 and a heart attack Sept. 20 but was revived. He died the next day. He is mourned by his parents of Manitou, Man.; and brothers Paul of Kitchener, Ont. and Steven and Matthew, both of Winnipeg. The funeral was held at Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford.
Mathilde Hajer
Mathilde Hajer passed away in fall 2001. She was born Mar. 21, 1918 to Franz and Wilhelmine Kliewer in Sitzk, Poland. The family attended the MB church in Wymyschle. She married Willi Hajer Mar. 12, 1941. Two children were born to them. He was drafted into the German army, but was captured and placed on a farm. He died July 30, 1945 in a hospital near Prague, Czechoslovakia, after being struck by a horse. Mathilde did not learn of his death for several years. In 1944 she and her children tried to flee Poland, but were stopped by Russian troops. They fled a second time, on Jan. 18, 1945, arriving in a refugee camp in Gettinger, East Germany Mar. 23, 1945. The family was eventually relocated to Esbeck, West Germany. With the assistance of Uncle Henry Kliewer of Oklahoma, she immigrated to Canada in 1948, staying with the Riesen family in Mission, B.C. Two years later, they bought a farm in Arnold, B.C. In 1949 her parents immigrated and joined her on the farm. She worked on the farm and was a housemaid in Vancouver while her parents looked after the children. In 1963 she moved to Clearbrook, B.C. She later started working in the dorms at the University of British Columbia. She moved to Vancouver in 1968 and continued working at UBC until retirement in 1983. She enjoyed working in the dorms and related well to young people. She kept cards and notes of appreciation. In retirement, she spent many happy years volunteering at the MCC thrift store. She made trips to Europe, Hawaii, Florida and Wymyschle reunions. She loved Canada, was grateful for her blessings and took a keen interest in provincial and national events. She loved the church and her God. She was a hard worker, was generous and enjoyed social gatherings. She was determined to provide a better life for her children, including a good education. Humour and hospitality were evident in her life. In 1996 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She moved in with her sister Martha for a year-and-a-half, then moved to Pinegrove care home. Predeceased by Willi, 2 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by son Frank; daughter Heidi Funk; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister.
Herman Kroeker
Herman Kroeker of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away Oct. 8. He was born Mar. 30, 1923 to Jake and Maria Kroeker in Taurida, Russia. In 1925 the family immigrated to Drake, Sask. He was born again in March 1938 through a message on Matthew 7:13-14 on the Haven of Rest radio program. In 1940 the family moved to the Niagara area of Ontario. He was baptized July 5, 1942 and joined Virgil (Ont.) MB Church. He married Irene Gossen Jan. 6, 1945. He graduated from Prairie Bible Institute. He, with Irene, served Eden Christian College as administrator, dorm parents and janitor. He was director of the radio broadcast Moments of Blessing on CHVC (Niagara Falls). He and Irene pastored Christian Fellowship Chapel near Orillia, Ont. 1957-67 and continued in radio ministry on CFOR (Orillia) and CKEY (Lindsay). He pastored Mountview MB Church, Stoney Creek, Ont. 1967–73, Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. 1973–79 and Komoka (Ont.) Community Church 1979–86. In 1985 he and Irene visited daughter Janet and Dave Bonney on the mission field in Indonesia. In 1986 they accepted a call to pastor Carrot River (Sask.) Gospel Mission. After retiring to Niagara-on-the-Lake, they served interim pastorates in Moncton, N.B., Stoney Creek and Orillia. Using many of the messages from his radio ministry, he published A Lift for Living, a book of daily devotions, in 1996. In retirement, he continued to preach and taught in Sunday school and a “Focus 55” group at Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines. His love for Jesus was evident in his character, passions, ministry and dedication to the spiritual wellbeing of others. He had a gentle spirit and a soft tone with people. Tears came easily to him without embarrassment, including tears of laughter. His favourite Scripture was 1 Peter 1:8. Predeceased by 1 brother, 1 sister and 1 grandson, he is mourned by Irene; children Cliff, Kenn, Sharon Tebbutt, Janet Bonney and Joan Tompkins; 13 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 11 in Fairview MB Church, with Waldo Pauls ministering.
Ann Vera Andres
Ann Vera Andres of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 1. She was born Feb. 27, 1912 to Abram Dietrich and Susannah Rempel in Mitrofanovka, Russia. In 1924 they immigrated to Main Centre, Sask., where her father served as a minister in Main Centre MB Church. She was baptized July 15, 1929 by her father and joined Main Centre MB Church. In her teens, she moved to Saskatoon to help the family finances working as a maid. She married Peter Andres, a teacher. Learning the value of education from her father, she completed grade 13 in her 20s and later studied to be a social worker at the University of British Columbia. Shortly after World War II, they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where they joined Yarrow MB Church. In 1968 they moved to Abbotsford, joining Bakerview MB Church. She was a social worker for almost 20 years, first in Chilliwack, B.C. and then in Abbotsford. Retiring at 65, she continued working as a businesswoman, a notary public and a seniors’ counsellor until age 86. She loved the Lord and the church and saw her Christian life as one of service to others. She left a legacy of love to her children and those in need; respect to all, regardless of station, race or creed; and service to her Lord through service to others. Predeceased by Peter in 1982, she is mourned by children Allison Thompson, Patty Archer, Peter, Ken and Garry; 7 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 12 in Bakerview MB Church, with Henry Thiessen ministering.
Cornelius Wiebe
Cornelius Wiebe of Dalmeny, Sask. passed away Oct. 20. He was born Aug. 23, 1913 to Cornelius and Helen Wiebe in Arkadak, Russia. The family immigrated to Main Centre, Sask. He attended business college in Saskatoon and then began a 50-year career as a merchant: He worked for successive store owners for 20 years, owned and managed his own store for 20 years and worked for Beaver Lumber for 10 years. In 1937 he married Elizabeth Rempel. After 35 years in Main Centre, they moved to an acreage near Dalmeny, where together with son Donald, they raised Arabian horses and Simmental cattle. Faith was very important to him. He accepted Christ at age 15 and was baptized Aug. 24, 1930, joining Main Centre MB Church. He remained a member there for 44 years, taught Sunday school, was moderator of the church for 9 years and, with Beth, served as a deacon for many years. This pattern continued when he joined Central MB Church in Saskatoon and later Dalmeny Community Church. He was an active member of the Spruce Manor Special Care Home board during the construction years and gave active support to the creation of Dalmeny Seniors’ Centre. He was a member of the Gideons for over 40 years. In May 1995 Beth died. For the next 6 years, he lived alone; these were quiet, reflective years. He filled the hours with reading, drinking coffee with friends, playing pool at the Seniors’ Centre and watching Blue Jays baseball. Predeceased by Beth, he is mourned by children Donald, Doris Kopp and Donna Friesen; 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 23 in Dalmeny Community Church, with Gary Sawatzky ministering.
Hilda Tina Martens
Hilda Tina Martens of Swift Current, Sask. passed away Oct. 8. She was born Mar. 17, 1917 to Isaac and Anna Penner at Kelstern, Sask. The family moved to Herbert, Sask. in 1917 and to the Greenfarm district in 1927. She faithfully attended church. She accepted Christ at 12 and was baptized in 1937, joining Greenfarm MB Church. It was on the farm that she learned a strong work ethic and the foundation for her deep faith in God was laid. She loved handwork, quilting and sewing. She attended Herbert Bible School for 2 years. She later joined Herbert MB Church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and helped in the church. She was a prayer warrior. Her strong, firm, unwavering faith inspired her family and friends. In 1959 she married David R. Martens of Manitou, Man. They farmed near Manitou for 17 years. They attended the Alliance church, where she taught Sunday school and sang. David died of cancer in 1976. She stayed on the farm for a year then moved to Herbert to be close to family. She worked at Herbert Nursing Home for many years. In 1997 she moved to Heritage Towers in Swift Current. She was not one to stay home, made many friends and enjoyed visiting older friends. She is remembered for her faith, hope and joy, her quick sense of humour, her positive attitude, her refusal to complain, her warm smile and her gentle spirit. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life – cooking, baking, cleaning, sewing, handwork, visiting, gardening, flowers and farming. She spent many hours with her grandchildren, talking, feeding them and playing games with them. Although she knew little about sports, she wanted to go to all their games. Predeceased by David, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by son Murray of Herbert; daughter Darlene Dyck of Blumenhof, Sask.; 5 grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 12 in Herbert MB Church, with Cliff Janzen and Henry Dueck ministering.
Henry Janzen
Henry (Hank) Janzen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 16. He was born Oct. 1, 1919 to Henry and Susanna Janzen in Omsk, Russia. The family immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. in 1926, then moved to Gem, Alta. He lived most of his adult years in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. At 16, he had a ruptured appendix and was expected to die. He accepted Christ at this time, remaining faithful to Him the rest of his life. During World War II, he joined the tank corps of the Canadian army, serving till 1943 when he received a medical discharge. In 1943 he moved to Vancouver. He married Kay Neumann July 25, 1943 in Arnold (B.C.) MB Church. He became an electrician, retiring in 1983. This trade took him to many B.C. communities, as well as to Whitehorse, Yukon. After the children left home, he and Kay travelled to those communities with a pick-up and trailer, finding these expeditions an ever changing delight. He was baptized in South Abbotsford MB Church in 1947 and remained part of the MB church most of his life. He was active in a variety of churches, serving in practical ways such as building, wiring and maintenance. During his Yukon years, he was in regular demand to sing solos. In retirement and as his health allowed, he repaired appliances and broken self-help crafts at the MCC thrift store. He loved to make walking sticks, handing them out to anyone who needed or admired them. His life was characterized by helping people. He is mourned by Kay; children Vic, Gerry, and Peggy Van Achte; 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Oct. 22 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford.
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Last modified December 7, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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