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Henry G. Derksen
Henry G. Derksen of Saskatoon passed away Jan. 20 of congestive heart failure. He was born Nov. 12, 1914 to Gerhard and Anna Derksen near Borden, Sask., the 12th of 13 children. He accepted Christ at 14 and was later baptized and joined Borden MB Church. After 8 years of school, he began farming. He married Hulda Klassen Sept. 5, 1937. They bought their own farm. He provided a wonderful, loving, secure home for his family. He sang bass in a male quartet for many years, in the church choir and as recently as last year in a quartet in Saskatoon. His favourite solo was “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. In 1964 he suffered his first heart attack. In 1974 they sold the farm to their son and moved to Langham, Sask., where he worked for Langham Lumber for several years and did some carpentry, building tables, lawn swings, etc. At 69, he had a second mild heart attack. In 1987 they moved to Saskatoon, living in an apartment for 1 year and then in a condo at Westwood Manor. Here he made many friends. He was building manager at the Manor for 8 years. They moved to Villa Royale on Dec. 1, 2001, but he was hospitalized Dec. 12. He was looking forward to his final move to heaven. His faith remained strong, never wavering. He said he had lived a good, long life and was ready to go. Predeceased by infant son Donald in 1938, 1 granddaughter, 2 brothers and 9 sisters, he is mourned by Hulda; daughters Doreen Wiebe, Julia Neufeld, Doris Ens and Lucille Baerg; son Lloyd; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. A memorial service was held at West Portal MB Church, Saskatoon, with Kelly Wiebe ministering.
Abram Hinz
Abram Hinz of Waldheim, Sask. passed away Jan. 30. He was born Aug. 14, 1911 to August and Mary Hinz at Hepburn, Sask. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in Hepburn MB Church. He married Justina Kroeker Oct. 18, 1942. They farmed near Hepburn and attended Brotherfield MB Church. In 1967 they sold the farm and moved to Waldheim. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing with friends, golfing, curling, bowling, playing pool at the seniors’ centre, riding bike, playing guitar and listening to music. He displayed strength, determination and courage in his 4-year battle with cancer. His faith in the Lord never wavered. He had a quiet, gentle spirit and was a committed Christian, believing he was saved by grace and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. His favourite verses were Is. 55:6-7. Predeceased by 4 brothers and 6 sisters, he is mourned by Justina; son Arden; daughters Doreen Lind and Norma Mudd; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 2 in Waldheim MB Church, with Clarence Peters ministering.
Art Schmidt
Art Schmidt passed away Jan. 31 in Rosthern (Sask.) Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 21, 1920, the only child of Gustav and Wanda Schmidt at Waldheim, Sask. He was baptized as an infant and reaffirmed his faith in Christ at 16 through confirmation at Rosthern Trinity Lutheran Church. He served for many years on church council, first at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Laird, Sask. and then at Trinity Lutheran. He married Marie Selko Oct. 18, 1945. They farmed near Waldheim, across the road from his parents. In 1970 they built a house in Waldheim. He was a mechanic at Sperry New Holland in Rosthern for 8 years. In retirement, he helped his cousin Ernest Schmidt during seeding and harvesting, helped his son Lorne on the farm as needed, and did renovations and carpentry jobs for his daughter Barb and her husband Elmer and for many people around town. He was an avid reader, favouring the Old Testament, history and geography. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, was always happy to see his children and grandchildren and enjoyed visiting friends. He is mourned by Marie; children Barbara Schulz of Saskatoon and Lorne of Waldheim; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. The funeral was Feb. 4 in Waldheim MB Church, with Clarence Peters and Benno Klassen ministering.
Peter B. Thiessen
Peter B. Thiessen of Winnipeg passed away Feb. 5. He was born Aug. 10, 1911 to Bernhard and Netta Thiessen in Petrovka, Russia. In 1924 the family immigrated to Canada, but he and his sister had to stay in England for a time due to a broken arm he suffered on the dock in England. They later joined the family at Winkler, Man. In August 1928 he found peace with God and was baptized in Gnadenthal MB Church. He married Helen (Lena) Redekopp Oct. 18, 1942. They lived in Reinland, Man. for a few years. He was a conscientious objector, working in Carman, Man. for 2 years. They then moved to a farm at Wingham. In 1952 they moved to Winnipeg, where he worked as a labourer and Lena often did domestic work. They retired to Winkler in 1979 and moved to Donwood Manor in Winnipeg in 1996. In Winkler, he spent much of his time fishing with friends. They were members of Winkler MB Church. He was always involved in church ministries, especially Sunday school, and served at Union Gospel Mission once a week for 20 years. Predeceased by Lena in September 2001, a grandson and a number of siblings, he is mourned by sons Bernie of Fort St. John, B.C. and John of Waterloo, Ont.; 3 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Feb. 9 at Klassen Funeral Chapel in Winnipeg, with Victor Neufeld ministering.
Frank Brown
Frank Brown of Winkler, Man. passed away Jan. 2. He was born May 28, 1906 to Isaac and Agenetha Brown near Winkler. He was raised on the farm along with 6 brothers and 1 sister. His father died when Frank was a teen. The family moved to Winkler. He earned a B.A. from the University of Manitoba, then attended Normal School. He later earned a B.Ed. He taught at Winkler High School for 40 years, retiring in 1971. He married Agatha Dyck July 15, 1934. Their home was enriched by 2 chosen daughters. He was a dedicated Christian. He was baptized by H.S. Voth and joined the MB church in 1932. He sang in the choir and was involved with Sunday school, first as a teacher then as superintendent for many years. In later years, he taught an adult Bible class. He had a great love for history and published A History of Winkler in 1973. He enriched many lives. Agatha died Dec. 21, 1985. In September 1986 he married Nettie Labun. He prayed for his family by name every morning and evening. He communed with his Lord constantly. He favourite song was “Under His Wings”. Predeceased by Agatha and a brother, he is mourned by Nettie; daughters Helen Janzen and Dorothy Enns; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Jan. 8 in Winkler MB Church, with Ted Goossen ministering.
Margaret Trinke
Margaret Trinke of Winkler, Man. passed away Jan. 11. She was born Aug. 24, 1915 to Henry and Anna Born in the Rosenbach District near Winkler, the 6th of 13 children. She accepted Christ early in life, was baptized at 19 and joined Winkler MB Church. She wanted to be a teacher, but the family situation prevented this. She later fulfilled her desire by teaching Sunday school for over 20 years. She married John W. Trinke Nov. 14, 1935. She enjoyed singing her favourite hymns. She worked hard with John to ensure there was food for winter filling the pantry with her canning. She was a faithful helpmate on the farm, milking cows, candling eggs, trucking grain and burning flax straw. She instilled in her children a love for nature. Her flowers were her pride and joy. She enjoyed watching birds, especially the wrens that nested by her kitchen window. She loved to read. Her hands were always busy, doing knitting, needle work and embroidery and sewing for MCC. She made pictures, afghans and crocheted items for her children and grandchildren. She and John enjoyed travelling, parking their camper beside any stream, lake or pond. She had a thankful spirit to the day she died, and relied on God constantly. Predeceased by a great-granddaughter, 1 sister and 3 brothers, she is mourned by John; son John E. of Winkler; daughters Marjorie Dozios of Kaslo, B.C., Beatrice Reimer of Morden, Man. and Phyllis Funk of Steinbach, Man.; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers and 4 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 15 in Winkler MB Church, with Victor Neufeld and Ted Goossen ministering.
Abram Klassen
Abram Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Feb. 5 of cancer. He was born Jan. 23, 1922 to Abram and Anna Klassen in Fuerstenwerder, Ukraine, the 2nd of 9 children. He grew up in a Mennonite village and a Christian home, but going to church was forbidden by the state. In 1942 he was drafted into the German army. In January 1945 he became engaged to Katie Thiessen, who had fled from Russia to Poland with her family. She and her family fled to Germany. In 1945 when the war ended, he became a POW of the American army in Austria. After his release, he worked for farmers in Austria. He came to Germany in June 1946. He married Katie that August. He worked on a construction team in Germany. They attended revival meetings in Germany, accepted Christ and were baptized by H.H. Janzen of Canada. In 1952 they immigrated to B.C. They lived in Matsqui, B.C. and joined Matsqui MB Church. He worked in the sawmill at Mission, B.C. His greatest pleasure was working with wood in his workshop, building chests of drawers, cradles, tables, benches, toys and desks for his family. One year, his woodcrafts raised $1700 at the MCC relief sale. In 1958 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. He worked for B.C. Hydro 1958-84. Katie died of cancer in 1984. He married Betty Enns in 1985. They travelled to Hawaii, Lithuania on a mission trip, South America, and Germany to visit his siblings. Betty died in 1999. He married Susan Hoppe in June 2000. A favourite Psalm was Psalm 91. Predeceased by Katie and Betty, 3 brothers and an infant sister, he is mourned by Susan; children Helmut of Alberta and Margaret Frantz of Chicago; stepchildren Terry Enns of White Rock, B.C., Ruth Nickel of Abbotsford, Carolyn Falk of White Rock, Jane Epp of Kamloops, B.C. and Frank Hoppe of Abbotsford; grandchildren; and 4 sisters. The memorial service was Feb. 9 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Mike Frantz ministering.
Jacob A. Dueck
Jacob A. Dueck of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 5. He was born Sept. 8, 1908 to Johann and Anna Dueck on a homestead near Rosthern, Sask., the 9th of 12 children. He completed grade 8 and then stayed home to help with the work while his father travelled as an itinerant minister. He accepted Christ at 18 and was baptized. He enjoyed singing tenor in the choir. Throughout his life he wanted to live by faith and please God in his words and actions. He married Helen Falk April 23, 1933. They settled on a farm. Life was difficult. One year, he shared his wheat seed with a friend, but found he still had as much as he started with. In 1939 they bought his father’s two quarters of land. This caused tension with his brothers, so in 1947 they sold the land and moved to a farm near Sardis, B.C., with cows, chickens and some raspberries. This didn’t work out, so he worked at the hop yards. In 1949 they rented a dairy farm and bought cows. Before long, they were able to buy a farm on Sumas Prairie. In 1953 they were baptized and joined Arnold (B.C.) MB Church. In 1953 Helen was diagnosed with cancer, but God’s grace, 9 operations and many treatments gave her 22 more years. In 1964 they sold the farm and moved to Clearbrook, B.C., where he did various jobs, including building chicken barns and a new house for themselves. They joined South Abbotsford MB Church. Helen died March 23, 1975. He married Tina Klassen. They attended East Aldergrove MB Church, then Clearbrook MB Church. They moved to a condo and usually walked to church. Tina died in August 2000. He moved to Tabor Manor in April 2001, then to Bevan Lodge. Predeceased by Helen and Tina and a grandson, he is mourned by children Alice Wiens of Victoria, Leona Anastasiades of Vancouver and Agnes Dyck of Prince George, B.C.; 10 grandchildren; stepchildren Ed Klassen, Doreen Froese, Dan Klassen and Dave Klassen; 13 stepgrandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Jan. 10 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Rudy Willms ministering.
Peter Ratzlaff
Peter Ratzlaff of Coaldale, Alta. passed away Feb. 8. He was born Oct. 20, 1914 to Eric and Agnetha Ratzlaff in Millerovo, Russia, the 2nd of 9 children. When he was 4, the family moved to Wymyschle, Poland to be near his grandparents. He learned Russian, Polish and German. In his teens, he learned the carpentry trade. Later he accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Wymyschle MB Church. In 1936 he married Frieda Pauls. They lived with his parents for 2 years. In 1939 they moved to Gombin, Poland and opened a small hardware store. During World War II, he was conscripted into the army, resulting in a 7-year absence from his family except for occasional furloughs. In 1947, after a long search by his family, they were reunited. In 1948 they immigrated to Gem, Alta., where he helped with the harvest for half a year. He found work with Oland Construction of Lethbridge, Alta., building many landmark building in southern Alberta. He moved his family to Coaldale and joined Coaldale MB Church. He started his own construction company with his brother-in-law Dave Pauls. For 18 years, they built many homes and some public buildings in Coaldale. In 1997 he and Frieda moved to Sunny South Lodge. Frieda died a year later. His health began to fail, and he moved to Coaldale Extended Care. Predeceased by Frieda, he is mourned by daughters Ella Neufeldt of Coaldale, Loretta Dyck of Surrey, B.C. and Marlene Enns of Calgary; son Harold of Cochrane, Alta.; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 14 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Selma Neufeld
Selma Neufeld of Surrey, B.C. passed away Dec. 17 after a very brief illness. She was born Dec. 16, 1907 to Wilhelm and Margareta Neufeld in Main Centre, Sask. As the youngest daughter, she helped with the work on the farm, milking cows, riding horses and driving farm vehicles. She accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and joined Main Centre MB Church. She contributed to family times of worship with her strong alto voice, a proficiency at the piano and later her talent on the violin. She loved sacred music and was involved in church choirs, orchestras and small ensembles most of her life. In 1942 the family moved to Vancouver. She joined Vancouver MB Church and later Fraserview MB Church, singing in choirs for over 60 years and playing in church musical groups. She performed regularly in the string section of the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra. After high school, she completed secretarial training in Saskatoon. She was office administrator at her brother Bill’s medical practice in Saskatoon, Vancouver and then Burnaby, B.C., retiring in 1989. In 1997 she moved to Surrey to be nearer to her brother. She paid special attention to her nieces and nephews, sending them gifts on special occasions, talking about the Rapture, singing, giving them updates on other family members and sharing home-baked treats. Predeceased by her 5 siblings, a niece and a nephew, she is mourned by 4 nephews and 3 nieces. The funeral was held in Surrey, B.C., with Dan Unrau ministering.
Henry A. Thiessen
Henry A. Thiessen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 5. He was born July 2, 1905 to Abram and Anna Thiessen in Einlage, Ukraine. He immigrated to Canada in 1926 and lived in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. He met Helen B. Janz at Bible school. In 1934 they married in Coaldale, Alta. In 1939 they moved to Abbotsford. He was a dairy and strawberry/raspberry farmer, and a rural mail carrier for 37 years. He was a member of South Abbotsford MB Church, then Clearbrook MB Church. He was active in Sunday school since childhood, first as a student, then as a leader/organizer, including many years as superintendent at South Abbotsford. His last 2 years were spent at Tabor Home. Predeceased by Helen in August 1993 and 4 brothers and 3 sisters, he is mourned by son John H. of Pottstown, Pa.; daughters Marlene Ambrosio of Aldergrove, B.C. and Jeanne Erickson of Abbotsford; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Jan. 12 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld, Eldon DeFehr and Peter Dueck ministering.
Jacob (Jack) Schellenberg
Jacob “Jack” Schellenberg of Delta, B.C. passed away Jan. 16. He was born June 4, 1925 to Peter and Agatha Schellenberg in Blumenort, Sask. At 17, he was baptized and joined the MB church. In 1947 he attended Millar Memorial Bible Institute, Pambrun, Sask. He was involved in teaching over 40 years: 2 years in Saskatchewan public schools, 3 years near Princeton, B.C. and the balance of the time in Vancouver. He was a mathematics department head in Vancouver for over 20 years. In retirement, he taught senior math at night school in Surrey, B.C. for 6 years and assisted in the teacher training program at the University of British Columbia for 3 years. He married Helena Epp June 27, 1953. He loved playing mandolin and was involved with his sons and brother in a musical group that played in care homes in the Fraser Valley. In the last few years, he suffered several mild strokes, hearing loss, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. He is mourned by Helen; sons Gary, Ken, Rick and Randy; and 11 grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 21 in Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey, B.C., with Dan Unrau and Herb Brandt ministering.
John Schoenke
John Schoenke passed away Jan. 24 at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon. He was born Dec. 22, 1933 to Jacob and Tina Schoenke at Gem, Alta. The following spring, the family moved to Black Creek, B.C. Though he was often sickly in infancy, he was a happy child. He learned to read German and English despite having Down’s syndrome. He helped with chores around the home and farmyard. As a boy, he played church on the front steps, preaching, praying and singing with great gusto. He loved to pick flowers and would go visiting all over the community, even in the city. His mother prayed with him to receive Jesus. He was baptized and joined Black Creek MB Church. He surprised others with his knowledge of the Bible. He knew the text of the Sunday sermon. During “sword drills”, he would jump up and quote the verses by memory. Six years after his mother’s death, he moved to Menno Home in Waldheim, Sask., to be closer to his sister’s family. In 1983 he was transferred to Sherbrooke Community Centre. As long as his father was able, he and John would visit his sister’s farm in Glenbush, Sask. every summer. He was always anxious to go back “home”, afraid he’d miss out on some activities. Predeceased by his parents, he is mourned by his sister Martha Pauls of Saskatoon. The memorial service was Jan. 29 at Sherbrooke Community Centre, with Abe Klassen and Ray Purdie ministering.
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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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