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In this section:
Levi Joel Harder
Levi Joel Harder passed away in an automobile accident Aug. 23 while still in his mother’s womb. He is mourned by his parents Joel and Laura Harder; and sister Maddy. The funeral was Sept. 11 in Boissevain (Man.) MB Church, with Tom Warner and Darryll Hartwig ministering.
Elizabeth Pauls
Elizabeth Pauls of Winnipeg passed away Dec. 29. She was born Mar. 30, 1912 to Peter and Elizabeth Krahn in Burwalde, Russia. In 1913 the family moved to Kronstal, Russia. In June 1932 she married Peter Pauls. In 1938 Peter was arrested and exiled; he was never heard from again.
In 1942 she was baptized and joined the Chortitzer Mennonite Church. In 1943 she and her children fled to Germany. They were settled in Untersteiermark, Yugoslavia, but fled again to Gross Ammensleben, Germany, and then to Dörrigser near Hannover to reach the British occupied zone. In 1948 the family
immigrated to Port Rowan, Ont. She found work and joined Port Rowan MB Church. In 1959 they moved to Winnipeg. She was gentle, patient and kind. Her last years were spent in Bethania House, Winnipeg. Predeceased by Peter, daughter Netha as a child, a grandson, 3 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by sons Peter, Cornelius and Erwin; daughter Erika; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother.
Henry Dyck Goertzen
Henry Dyck Goertzen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 24. He was born June 9, 1922 to John and Maria Goertzen in Main Centre, Sask. When he was 16 or 17, his older brother John shared the gospel with him and he accepted Christ. At 20, he enrolled at Prairie Bible Institute. His studies were interrupted by World War II. He was allowed to finish his first year of Bible school, then served in the army medical corps for 3 years in France, Holland and Germany. In 1946 he returned to Prairie for 3 more years. In 1950, he went as a missionary to India with The Evangelical Alliance Mission. He learned the Marathi language, taught in a Bible school for a year and ran a medical dispensary. On Feb. 14, 1957 he married Marion June Cook, a TEAM missionary serving in the Hindi language in India. He became proficient in Hindi and headed up a Bible correspondence course program. In 1973 they moved to Trinidad to do literature work. He opened a bookstore, began a Bible course ministry and pastored a church for 2 years. In 1977 they returned to Canada for a year furlough. Their visas to return to Trinidad were refused, and they remained in Abbotsford. He held various jobs, including work as a night watchman at Trinity Western University. He retired in 1987. He is mourned by Marion; children Stan of Italy, Sandra Cameron of Redmond, Ore. and Paul of Vancouver; 5 grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The memorial service was Jan. 2 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, with Chris Douglas and Don Enns ministering.
Russell Oswald Jackson
Russell Oswald Jackson of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 16. He was born April 3, 1919 on a farm near Kelwood, Man. When he was 12, he accepted Christ. From then on, he had a desire to preach the gospel. He trained under the Salvation Army in Toronto and began his ministry at age 20. He ministered in Weyburn, Sask., Nipawin, Sask., Flin Flon, Man. and Yorkton, Sask. He met Margaret during his training days in Toronto. They married Aug. 30, 1944. In 1947, while pastoring in Briercrest, Sask., they applied as missionaries with The Evangelical Alliance Mission. They served in the Zambezi Valley in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) for 36 years, retiring in 1986. They moved to Abbotsford and joined Central Heights MB Church. He taught a seniors’ Sunday school class called Intercessors. He had an open-hearted warmth and love for people. His preaching was practical and centred on the Word of God. His love for the African people and fluency in the local dialect opened many lives to God’s grace. Predeceased by 4 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Margaret; children Lynette Treen of California, Bud of Abbotsford and Tom of Zimbabwe; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 29 in Central Heights MB Church, with Chris Douglas ministering.
Katharina Penner
Katharina Penner passed away Dec. 25. She was born Oct. 29, 1907 to Rev. Gerhard and Elizabeth Klassen in Wasiljewka, Russia. They fled to Canada in 1924, settling on a farm near Kronsgart, Man. She married Peter J. Penner May 23, 1926. They farmed near Kronsgart, Man. for 17 years, near Roland, Man. for 2 years and then bought a farm near Manitou, Man. Peter’s poor health forced early retirement, and they moved to Morden, Man. in 1960. Peter died in 1978. She moved to the Tabor apartments in 1983 and to Tabor Care Home in 1999. She and Peter established a love for singing in their family and at one point the family made up 9 of the 16 member of the Manitou MB Church choir. She sang and played guitar. After Peter’s death, she became the driving force that kept the family singing. She had a keen sense of family history. Each time a family book was published, she would buy a copy for each of her children. She faithfully gave financial support to the local church and her favourite radio ministry programs, Family Life Network and Back to the Bible. She accepted Christ at 12. She loved to read the Bible and was in her 27th reading of it from cover to cover. Her favourite passage was Ps. 91. She loved discussing spiritual matters and challenged her family to “be in right relationship with God”. Predeceased by Peter, 1 grandson, 1 brother and 1 sister, she is mourned by children Peter of Morden, Jacob of Brandon, Man., George of Waterloo, Ont., Betty Lambrecht of Calgary, John of Winnipeg, Kae Lambrecht of Morden, David of Brandon and Len of Winnipeg; 44 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; and 4 brothers. The funeral was held in Westside Community Church, Morden, with Russ Toews ministering.
Mary Schroeder
Mary Schroeder passed away Jan. 16. She was born Sept. 4, 1928 to David and Anna Baerg in Halbstadt, Siberia. A year later, the family moved to Vauxhall, Alta. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at 16, joining Vauxhall MB Church. She attended Bible school in Coaldale, Alta. She served in church as pianist, taught Sunday school, sang in music groups and taught Daily Vacation Bible School. The family moved to Chilliwack, B.C. in 1954. She soon moved to Vancouver to work in the Sears offices in Burnaby, B.C., and later was a receptionist in a doctor’s office. On April 12, 1969 she married Henry Schroeder, a widower with 1 daughter. She had a desire to keep the family together and hosted many Schroeder and Baerg family gatherings in their home. With a positive attitude and appropriate treatment, she survived breast cancer in 1990. Throughout her life, she had a lot of pain in her body but refused to stay home and feel sorry for herself. Brain cancer was found in December 2001. She is mourned by Henry; daughter Doris; 2 grandchildren; 1 sister and 7 brothers.
Tina Harms
Tina Harms of Winnipeg passed away Dec. 6. She was born Sept. 13, 1919, the only child of Johann and Maria Wiebe in Sagradowka, Ukraine. She lost her father 3 months later. Her mother married Peter Wiebe, a widower with 2 children. He was killed by the communists. In 1938 Tina married Albert Harms; they had 3 children. During World War II, they fled to east Prussia, then Berlin. Here she committed her life to Christ, was baptized by Wilhelm Loewen in 1946 and joined
the MB church. They immigrated to Paraguay in 1947 and then came to Winnipeg in 1958. She worked at Concordia Hospital for 25 years, retiring in 1983. She worshipped at South End MB, then Portage Ave. MB Church. She was a loving, praying mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is mourned by daughters Waldina Neufeld and Charlotte Liebig and son John, all of Winnipeg; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 10 in Portage Ave. MB Church, with Claude Pratte and Abe Neufeld ministering.
Helena Janzen
Helena Janzen passed away Dec. 6 in Abbotsford, B.C. She was born Mar. 26, 1908 to Kornelius and Katarina Ploenert in Franzthal, Molotschna, Ukraine. When she was 5, she remained with her grandparents while her parents and their other children moved to the Crimea to manage an estate. When they returned, they moved to a small house on the same property, but she remained with her grandparents. When she was 10, her mother died. Her father married Maria Janzen, a widow with a daughter. Her father died when Helen was 13. She went to live with her uncle. She accepted Christ in her youth; she was baptized and joined Franzthal MB Church June 21, 1925. She received the Scripture verse, “No one can pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). She held to this verse all her life. She enjoyed singing in the choir and helping in Sunday school. She immigrated to Canada May 23, 1926. She married Jacob J. Janzen June 14, 1926 in Meadows, Man. They lived with Jacob’s family in Rosser, Man. In 1932 the extended family moved to Yarrow, B.C. They joined Yarrow MB Church. They lived in Sardis, B.C. She cared for Jacob, who developed rheumatic fever, and her children. Around 1943 they built a new house on the farm. She sewed for her family, tended a large garden, helped with the chores and harvested raspberries, apples, walnuts and grapes on their farm. Jacob died June 27, 1965 at age 63. Her comfort was that everything works for the good and she was in the Lord’s hands. She and daughter Lenora moved to her son’s house in Coquitlam, B.C., then to an apartment in New Westminster, B.C. She attended Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C. She bought a house in Clearbrook, B.C. and joined Clearbrook MB Church. She gardened, sewed blankets for MCC and showed hospitality to family and friends. When yardwork became too difficult, she moved to a condo at Evergreen Village. Quiltmaking and crocheting caps and toques for Russia kept her busy. In November 1996 she moved to Tabor Manor. She is remembered for her fervent prayers and ability to recite Scripture. Predeceased by Jacob, daughter Erna Down and 2 grandsons, she is mourned by children Lena Block, Henry, Katherine Giesbrecht, Erwin, Ann Poetker, Ruth Thiessen, Esther Langhofer, Lenora Kirk, and Elfrieda; 23 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 10 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jay Neufeld and Peter Dueck ministering.
Mary Ketler
Mary Ketler passed away Dec. 17 in Calgary. She was born Dec. 14, 1913 to Martin and Susanna Unruh in Anovka, Crimea, Ukraine. In 1925 the family immigrated to Morse, Sask. They moved to a farm about 12 miles from the Gnadenau church. In bad weather, they were often unable to attend church. She accepted Christ in 1930 during revival meetings led by Franz Wiens. She was baptized soon after with about 45 other young people. She attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School in 1936. In 1940 she married Peter Cornelius Ketler. They lived in Kelstern, Sask. In 1943 they moved to B.C. They were part of the group that started Strawberry Hill (now Kennedy Heights) MB Church. Thirteen years later, they moved to Burnaby, B.C., where they attended Fraserview MB Church, and Killarney Park MB Church. Peter worked at Swift Meat Packers for 21 years. They retired to Abbotsford, B.C., where they attended South Abbotsford MB Church for 6 years. They kept a small raspberry patch and a magnificent garden. In 1971 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. and attended Clearbrook MB Church. She painted houses inside and out, earning enough money to travel all over the world; they made several trips to Hawaii. They moved to Evergreen Village. After a year here, Peter died. She found it difficult being alone, but found comfort in knowing that the Lord was always there for her. She sang in the German and ladies’ choirs for many years, served on the church’s food committee and helped serve lunch at Clearbrook Community Centre. In July 1999 she had major surgery. She moved to Calgary to live with son Mark and his family. Following a serious fall, she was admitted to Foothills Hospital in August 2001 and then Agape Hospice. Predeceased by Peter, 2 brothers, 1 sister and a grandson, she is mourned by daughter Diane Kope of Surrey, B.C.; son Mark of Calgary; 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The memorial service was Dec. 22 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and Eldon DeFehr ministering.
Jacob Groening
Jacob Groening of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 1. He was born Mar. 10, 1915 to Jacob and Margareta Groening in Ufa, Russia. When he was 8, his mother died. His father remarried, and the family moved to Halbstadt, Molotschna, Ukraine. He married Alice Hiller of Tiegenhagen, Molotschna, Dec. 31, 1939. Except for brief interludes, he was separated from his family for much of the next 9 years. During the war, he and his family fled separately to Germany; 2 children died. In 1947 he was reunited with Alice and their son in southern Germany. In 1948 they immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. He accepted Christ in 1949 and was baptized in Coaldale MB Church. He made many friends. In 1950, a daughter died in childbirth. In 1984 Alice died of cancer. Later that year, he married Margaret Martens. Throughout all the hardships in his life, he never lost his positive outlook or his warm, accepting spirit. Predeceased by Alice; 3 infant children, son Alfred in 1996 and a sister, he is mourned by Margaret; daughter Hilde Wiebe; 4 grandchildren; stepchildren Marlene Unruh, Linda Krause, Lori Sinclair, Helen Coughlin and Marianne Hill; and 2 sisters. The memorial service was Dec. 6 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Art Isaac ministering.
Jacob E. (Jake) Kroeker
Jacob E. (Jake) Kroeker of Winnipeg passed away Sept. 16. He was born Apr. 27, 1912 to Jacob A. and Annie Kroeker in Winkler, Man. After high school, he attended Winkler Bible Institute and Success Business College in Winnipeg. In 1935 he married Alice Nuernberg of McClusky, N.D. They lived in Winkler; 4 children were born. Son Kenneth died at birth; son Harold died of cancer at age 41. In 1978 Alice died after a lengthy battle with cancer. In 1981 he married Anne Schritt of Winkler, a widow with 4 grown children. In 1991 they moved to Winnipeg and joined Portage Ave. MB Church. He started in business at a young age, working as a clerk in a general store, and then as secretary/bookkeeper in a real estate and insurance business owned by his father. He later was manager of Farmers Oil Co., selling bulk gas and oil and farm tractors and equipment. After their father’s death, he and brother Menno bought a car dealership and carried on the partnership under the name Kroeker Brothers for nearly 20 years. In 1965 he opened up a real estate office in Winkler, specializing in farm sales. Retiring in 1978, he bought a small hobby farm near Winkler. He taught some of his grandchildren to ride and take part in riding competitions and parades across southern Manitoba. Active in church during his younger years, he taught Sunday school for 20 years, served on the board of trustees and sang in the choir. He was a trustee on the Winkler Public School Board for 9 years and was a member of the Winkler Chamber of Commerce for many years. Predeceased by Alice, 2 sons, a granddaughter, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Anne; children Gloria Dyck and Clarence; stepchildren Allen, Edna Jagger, Stan and John; 8 grandchildren; 5 stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 2 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 21 in Portage Ave. MB Church.
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Last modified March 28, 2002.
© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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