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Katharina Willems
Katharina Willems passed away Sept. 3. She was born Aug. 26, 1899 to John and Katherine Schroeder in Nickolayevka, Russia, the oldest of 11 children. The family immigrated to Canada in 1904, settling on a homestead in Main Centre, Sask. At 14, she prayed with her mother, inviting the Lord to be her Saviour; 5 years later, she was baptized and joined Main Centre MB Church. She met Jacob Willems at Herbert (Sask.) Bible School; they married Oct. 25, 1923 and settled near Brotherfield, Sask. She gave herself unselfishly to raising her family; worked tirelessly at gardening, cooking, sewing and farm chores; and found satisfaction and relaxation in doing handwork and growing beautiful flowers. She passed her love of singing to the family, encouraging them to use this talent in church. Jacob died in 1976. She moved to Westview Lodge in Waldheim, Sask. She remained productive, quilting, making MCC blankets, growing flowers, entertaining family and being involved in church. At 94, she moved to Spruce Manor Special Care Home in Dalmeny, Sask. She is remembered as a godly mother. Predeceased by 1 daughter, she is mourned by children Adelina, Katie Schmidt, Laura Martens, Evelyn Buhler, Albert, Harold, Walter, Victor and Edward; 62 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Sept. 7 in Waldheim MB Church, with Clarence Peters ministering.
Anastasia Dirks
Anastasia Dirks passed away July 12. She was born Nov. 16, 1900 to Samuel and Natalie Schuliak in Stulnevo, southern Russia, 5th of 10 children. She married Nicholas Dirks of Waldheim, Russia, then immigrated to Canada. They were charter members of North End MB Church in Winnipeg. Her interest centred around her family; she continually prayed for their spiritual welfare. She enjoyed her home, her garden, dressmaking and cooking. Predeceased by Nicholas, son John and 1 granddaughter, she is mourned by children Walfried, Agnes Bernstein, Dorothea Penner, Esther Dick and Evelyn Konrad; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 23 in Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Keith Poysti ministering.
Frank Giesbrecht
Frank Giesbrecht passed away July 4 of a heart attack. He was born Mar. 3, 1928 to Henry and Sarah Giesbrecht in Coaldale, Alta. He strayed a bit spiritually but shortly after meeting Martha at a wedding at Vancouver MB Church in 1950 rededicated his life to the Lord. They married June 30, 1951. He was the spiritual leader in the family and was not afraid to share his faith. Through 51 years as a barber in Vancouver, he had many opportunities to help people explore their relationship with Jesus. He was a Gideon for 29 years. They were charter members of Killarney Park MB Church, serving with quiet strength and faithfulness. He was head usher at the time of his passing. Predeceased by his mother in 1950, father in 1965, stepmother Agatha in 1989, 1 granddaughter and 2 brothers, he is mourned by Martha; children Gordon, Brenda Isaak and Gail Klassen; 7 grandchildren; 5 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was July 10 in Killarney Park MB Church, with Ken Peters ministering.
Henry Brown
Henry Brown passed away Aug. 14. He was born Sept. 22, 1908 in Gortschakovo, Russia. The family immigrated to Steinbach, Man. He worked clearing road allowances. In 1929 he moved to Yarrow, B.C. and worked in the hop fields. He committed his life to Jesus at an evangelistic service and attended Yarrow Bible School for a term. He and brother Nick bought 20 acres in Clearbrook, B.C. where Columbia Bible College now stands. He was baptized in 1932. He attended a Pentecostal church, then several house churches and met Annie Kornelson at the church in South Poplar Hall. They married in 1936 in South Abbotsford MB Church. They had a very strong work ethic. They lived on Sumas Prairie, then bought a 67-acre berry and dairy farm in Matsqui, B.C. They attended Matsqui MB Church and were ordained as deacons in 1940. They moved to a 27-acre livestock and berry farm in Clearbrook in 1962 and to a fruit farm in Kelowna in 1976. They helped at Gardom Lake Bible Camp. They returned to Clearbrook where they lived for the last 20 years. He enjoyed gardening, pruning, bowling, fishing, singing in the choir and serving on the funeral catering committee at Clearbrook MB Church. They supported Logos mission. He survived bowel cancer in 1990, 2 heart attacks and Parkinson’s; in his last month a vessel blockage in his leg caused gangrene. Predeceased by son Benny by drowning as a child, 2 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Annie; children Arnie, Martha Loewen, Walt, Ernie, Herb, John, Dave, and Caroline Matis; 27 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 8 brothers. The memorial service was Aug. 24 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld ministering.
Helena C. Wiebe
Helena C. (Harder) Wiebe passed away Sept. 9. She was born Aug. 17, 1904 near Horndean, Man. She married Cornelius C. Wiebe Nov. 25, 1923 and moved to Horndean. The 1930s were difficult, as Cornelius could find only summer work. She worked in the beet fields, walked up to 1/3-mile to get water, made meals out of little food and made clothes out of flour sacks. She was very organized and punctual. Daughter Rosa was killed by a drunk driver Oct. 31, 1937. Helena accepted Jesus in January 1948 and was baptized in Horndean MB Church Aug. 14, 1968. After they retired to Winkler, Man., they joined Winkler MB Church. Predeceased by Cornelius Feb. 11, 1989, Rosa, 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, she is mourned by daughters, Kathleen Doerksen and Doris Summers, both of Winnipeg, Irene McGrath of Chilliwack, B.C. and Violet Wolfe of Carman, Man.; sons John of Morden, Man., Edward and James, both of Winnipeg, and Wesley of Winkler; 27 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Sept. 13 in Winkler MB Church, with Ted Goossen ministering.
Peter Boldt
Peter Boldt passed away June 16. He was born Apr. 12, 1913 to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Boldt in Rudnerweide, Russia. His mother died when he was 9. His father married Agatha Reimer. The family immigrated to the Peace River in 1929. He was baptized in La Glace, Alta. in 1949. He married Sara July 5, 1952. He farmed in Peace River in summer and worked in St. David’s (Ont.) Cannery and Niagara Falls Hydro in winter. In 1956 they sold the farm and settled on a 30-acre fruit farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. They retired from the farm in 1978, but he worked on other farms for 5 more years. He spent much time in God’s Word and prayer, and felt that God was giving him a long life so that he could continue to pray for his family. In May 1998, he suffered a stroke. He spent his last days in Heritage Place, Virgil, Ont. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Sara; children Hilda DeVos of Birds Hill, Man., Walter of Welland, Ont., Ruth Foster of Oakbank, Man. and Marlene Funk of Anola, Man. The funeral was June 19 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Vic Loewen, George Wichert and Walter Bergmann ministering.
Katie Wiebe
Katie Wiebe passed away Sept. 9. She was born Apr. 28, 1908 to Abraham and Katharina Rempel in Michaelsheim, Ukraine. In 1925, the family immigrated to Altona, Man. She went out to work for other families. In 1926 the family moved to a dairy farm at Barnsley. At 19, she realized she was not ready to meet her Maker and turned her life over to Christ, based on John 3:16. She was baptized in 1929 and became a charter member of Elm Creek (Man.) MB Church. She married Kornelius Wiebe Aug. 11, 1929 at her parents’ farm and the next day began working on his farm. In August 1978, they retired to Carman, Man. Kornelius died Mar. 5, 1986; on Oct. 5 she moved to Donwood South in Winnipeg, where she made many new friends. She moved to Donwood high-rise in March 1999 and to Donwood Personal Care Home Sept. 28, 2001. Predeceased by Kornelius, 4 brothers and 1 granddaughter, she is mourned by children George, Katherine, and Henry; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 12 in Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with John Unger and Claude Pratte ministering.
Lois Murdoch
Lois Murdoch passed away Sept. 6. She was born Nov. 4, 1919 to Hans and Inga Johnson in Racine, Wis. Her mother was a devoted Christian, and Lois came to know Christ at an early age. In the Depression, she learned to live with little. She felt called to be a missionary in New Guinea. At Moody Bible Institute, she met Cam Murdoch, who felt the same call. While Cam was conscripted into the Canadian Army for 3 years, she served with Kentucky Mountain Mission. She married Cam in 1945. Since New Guinea was closed, they shared the gospel with miners, railroad workers and aboriginals in camps and villages in California and Arizona. They moved to Los Angeles, where Cam served with Gospel Recordings for 20 years. They struggled with little sleep, medical problems and limited finances. In 1968 they moved to Lillooet, B.C., where they worked with aboriginals, ranchers, loggers and isolated villagers; Lois organized and taught vacation Bible schools. They moved to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1979. She suffered with a degenerative neurological condition the last several years and spent the last 2 years in Menno Hospital. Her greatest joy was knowing that the grace of God was transforming the lives of people they worked with. Predeceased by son David at age 25, she is mourned by Cam and children Joanne, Charlotte, Paul, Karen and Eleanor. The memorial service was Sept. 10 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Heinz Ratzlaff ministering.
Elizabeth Petkau
Elizabeth Petkau passed away Aug. 27. She was born Mar. 9, 1910 to Henry and Maria Rempel in Siberia. When she was 12, her mother died of typhus. At an early age, Elizabeth committed her life to the Lord; she was baptized some time later. In 1926 the family immigrated to Manitoba. She married David Petkau July 3, 1930 in Silberfeld, Man. They worked in Oxbow, Sask., then farmed in Waldheim, Sask. Hard times forced a move to Vauxhall, Alta., where they farmed until moving into town in 1972. In 1975, they retired to Clearbrook, B.C. Their life was full of blessing and difficulty. She prayed faithfully for her children. In later years, she enjoyed her family, doing handwork and reading her Bible. In church, she sang in the choir, served on committees and did deacon work. Predeceased by David in 1997, son Abram, daughter Elizabeth and 2 grandsons, she is mourned by children Pete, Mary Born, Anne Dyck, Dave, Henry, John, Helena, Jake, Sam, Dan, Aron, Kathy Evenson and Martha Allen; 82 grandchildren; 103 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Aug. 30 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Heinz Ratzlaff and Art Isaac ministering.
Sarah Dick
Sarah Dick passed away Aug. 11. She was born Feb. 26, 1920 to John P. and Maria Schmidt in Alexandrovka, Russia. The family immigrated from Slavgorod, Siberia to Three Hills, Alta. in 1926, moving to La Glace, Alta. in 1928. She accepted Christ and was baptized in September 1937. She attended La Glace Bible School for 3 years and sang in a quartet. She married Isaac Dick, one of her teachers, Jan. 23, 1938. They helped her parents farm for 2 years. In 1940 they bought a quarter section in Gem, Alta. In 1946 they bought a farm in Chilliwack, B.C. She was a hard worker, had many talents and modelled a servant heart. She had a strong, silent way of encouraging her children to walk with the Lord, and prayed often for them. They were members of East Chilliwack MB Church. They moved into Chilliwack in 1971 and joined Broadway MB Church in 1973. She enjoyed the ladies fellowship, had many friends, served on the food committee and practiced the gift of hospitality. In 1988 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. She was involved in the ladies fellowship, making quilts and layettes for MCC. After Isaac’s stroke in 1989, she cared for him and served on the strata council. In 1997, after her first stroke, they moved to Bevan Lodge, where Isaac cared for her. He died in September 1999, and she moved to Tabor Home in May 2000. She longed to go home. She is mourned by children: Peter, John, Mary Thiessen, Irene Wiebe, Martha Sagert, Louella Petker, Ken, and Sharon Scott; 32 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The memorial service was Aug. 16 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Art Isaac ministering.
Susan Loewen
Susan Loewen passed away Sept.12 due to an aneurysm. She was born Nov. 30, 1921 to Peter N. and Kathrina Thiessen in Gelesnoya, Ukraine. When she was 3, the family immigrated to Greenfarm, Sask., later moving to Herbert, Sask. She left school at 15 due to her father’s illness. When she was 16, the family moved to a farm at Foam Lake, Sask. She experienced salvation at 18, finding assurance in John 6:37. She was baptized June 23, 1940 and joined Foam Lake MB Church. The family moved to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1945. She studied 3 years at Bethany Bible School. After her parents died, she worked in Menno Home for 12 years in the kitchen and cleaning. She worked at Open Door Missionary Fellowship in St. Louis, Mo. for 5 years, mailing out book club materials, helping in the kitchen and cleaning. She married Abe D. Loewen Apr. 20, 1985 at Clearbrook MB Church. He died suddenly Jan. 10, 1991. She became active in church, playing the organ prelude and singing in the English, German and ladies’ choirs; volunteered at MCC; drove her friends to appointments and the grocery store; and wrote poetry. She moved to Tabor Manor in September 2002. Predeceased by 5 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by 1 step-son; 1 step-daughter; 8 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The memorial service was Sept. 17 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Art Isaac and John Balzer ministering.
John Velhelm Davidson
John Velhelm Davidson passed away Sept. 14. He was born Aug. 28, 1915 to Magnus and Gudrun Davidson in Cavalier, N.D. When he was 8, his mother died. His father maintained a peaceful, supportive home. He loved farming with his father and took over the farm after his father died. He fixed his equipment and that of the neighbours. He faithfully attended church all his life and sang for many years in the choir. He married Catherine Friesen Dec. 15, 1973. They lived in San Diego 1980–82, then moved back to Cavalier. He was baptized at Cavalier Baptist Church in 1985 and became a member in 1988. In December 1998 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. His health began to deteriorate; he was in and out of the hospital many times. He is remembered as kind, patient and thankful. He was predeceased by 3 half-brothers, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 19 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Michael Dick ministering.
John Bryan (Jack) Cridland
John Bryan (Jack) Cridland passed away Sept. 6. He was born Jan. 26, 1912 to John and Maud Cridland near Rabbit Lake, Sask. He worked on the family homestead, on threshing crews, winter logging and trapping. He married Margaret Esther Cowell Mar. 2, 1935. In 1944 they moved to a farm in Dewdney, B.C. He began a construction career, which took the family to a number of places, culminating in Kelowna, B.C. in 1956. He worked as foreman for large projects, then as a private contractor. After retiring in 1973, he made birdhouses, trinket boxes, clocks and cedar chests. He was raised in a God-fearing family, made a personal commitment to Christ in 1951 in Terrace, B.C. and was baptized in Harrison Gospel Chapel, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., in 1954. He faithfully served in teaching, sharing and praying. For many years they were active members of Faith Gospel Church, Kelowna. In his last years, he worshipped at Willow Park Church, Kelowna, becoming a member in 1998. He loved and was loved by staff and residents of Sun Pointe Village. Predeceased by Margaret, he is mourned by children Gladys Janzen of Burton, B.C., Hazel Boettcher of Delta, B.C. and Eric of Kelowna; 3 grandsons; 8 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. A memorial service was held Sept. 9 in Willow Park Church, with Arnie Peters ministering.
George Goertzen
George Goertzen passed away Aug. 13. He was born Nov. 7, 1928 to George and Helen Goertzen in Plum Coulee, Man. He was raised on a farm in Homewood, Man. After grade 7, he had to quit school to work on the farm. He attended Winkler Bible Institute. He married Irene Kroeker of Elm Creek, Man. June 12, 1954. He had a strong work ethic. He farmed in Homewood in summer and drove taxi and trucks in Winnipeg in winter; moved to Winnipeg in 1964 to drive truck for Shell Oil; bought a hog and grain farm in Boissevain in 1966; began trucking in Winnipeg full-time in 1976; began operating the bulk Imperial Oil Dealership in Boissevain in 1977; moved to Oak Bluff in 1980 and drove truck for Golden Plains Agro in Brunkild, Man. and other companies for 20 years, retiring at 70. He accepted Christ at age 10 at a Canadian Sunday School Mission camp. In the early 1970s he had a freshness in his walk with God. He worked with Christian Service Brigade and ushered at Boissevain (Man.) MB Church. Around age 71, his faith became a large part of his life as he battled cancer; nightly devotions with friends impacted him immensely. He loved life, humour, teasing and practical jokes and had many enduring friendships. He is mourned by Irene, daughters Karen Iwata, Lori Schroeder, Gwen Goossen, Pat Schmidt and Dian; 12 grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Aug. 16 in Carman (Man.) Gospel Light Church, with Henry Isaak, Terry Carter and Paul Kroeker ministering.
Anna Maria Penner
Anna Maria Penner passed away Aug. 30. She was born Nov. 2, 1929 to Jacob and Mary Rempel on a farm in Kronsgart, Man. The family later moved to a farm in Holmfield, Man. She attended Winkler Bible Institute in 1947. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized near Holmfield Aug. 24, 1947. She married Jacob Penner May 24, 1953. They farmed near Holmfield until moving to Killarney, Man. in 1982. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, knitting and gardening, and encouraged Jacob in farming, helping him whenever needed. Annual family camping vacations were important. In retirement, she was available to make a meal or babysit grandchildren, enjoyed getting to know neighbors, and kept busy gardening, crafting, crocheting and making afghans and other gifts for the grandchildren. They spent 11 winters in Arizona or Texas, making more friends. She had a deep love for her family, praying faithfully for each one. She spoke to sister Margaret daily on the phone. They attended Lakeview Community Church in Killarney. She was active in the ladies’ group, a friendship Bible coffee and a Community Wl Group. In September 2001 cancer was diagnosed. She remained positive, putting her trust in God. She is mourned by Jacob; children Linda Doerksen, Marlene Harris, Dan, and Karen Goertzen; 14 grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 2 in Lakeview Community Church, with Dan Stobbe ministering.
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Last modified November 21, 2002.
© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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