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In this section:
Mary Heidebrecht
Mary Heidebrecht passed away Sept. 2. She was born Nov. 22, 1921 to Gerhard and Maria Isaak in Millerova Russia. The family came to Canada in 1924, settling in Arnaud, Man. and later moving to Winnipeg. At 18, she was baptized in North End (now Elmwood) MB Church. At church, she was very involved Sunday school, choir, youth groups and the library. She married Henry Heidebrecht Aug. 27, 1949; he started his own house painting company. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed reading, baking, travelling, visiting friends, and having her grandchildren visit. Predeceased by Henry, 1 sister and 1 brother, she is mourned by children Paul, Robert, Ruth, Arthur, Marlies, Randy, Karen, Chris and Tammy; 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 6 in Elmwood MB Church, with Keith Poysti and Paul Heidebrecht ministering.
K. Karl Kramer 
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K. Karl Kramer passed away Nov. 7. He was born July 22, 1906 to Arno and Anna Marie Kramer in Lugau, Germany. He accepted the Lord at 9, received a call into missions at 23 and recorded a complete surrender to Christ’s lordship at 29. After completing his architectural degree in Dresden, and Bible school in Wiedenest, Germany, he married Maria Born in 1936. They served 11 years as MB missionaries in Congo. They pastored the Baptist church in Hunsheim, Germany 1948–53, then immigrated to Winnipeg. He worked as a carpenter, night watchman, then custodian, retiring at 69. He often preached in the German services of Baptist churches and the seniors group at Elmwood MB Church. Maria died in 1980. He married Mary Dyck 3 years later. They visited friends and mission stations in Canada, US, Brazil, Germany, Pakistan and Africa. In 1996 they moved to Donwood Manor; a year ago, he was admitted for total care at Donwood. He remained active in group activities, prayer and communication with friends and family until the last 2 months. He is remembered as one who loved the Word of God and lived it. He loved people, remembering birthdays and anniversaries and touching many with his friendliness, smile, openness, encouragement, positive outlook, forgiving spirit and prayer ministry. Predeceased by Maria, he is mourned by Mary; children Annemarie, John, Harry, Rosemarie Charles, Ruth Harms and Gerry; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. The funeral was Nov. 12, with John Regehr ministering.
Alf Klassen
Alf Klassen passed away June 4 after a 7-month battle with cancer. He was born Apr. 8, 1951 to Isaac and Mary Klassen. The family moved from Elm Creeek to Vancouver 6 years later. He gave his life to Jesus at 9 and was later baptized. In 1969 he went to Bethany Bible Institute, where he met Karen. They married in 1973 and moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1977. His love for his family was obvious; they enjoyed camping, dirt-biking and street-biking together. For 30 years he worked as a service technician in a number of shops and dealerships. In Willow Park Church, he was involved in dramas and was a boys club leader, choir member and care group leader. He is mourned by Karen, daughter Julie; sons Trevor and Chris; 1 granddaughter; his mother; and 2 brothers. The memorial service was June 8 in Willow Park Church, with Arnie Peters and Mark Burtch ministering.
Elsie K. Martens 
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Elsie K. Martens passed away Nov. 11. She was born Mar. 27, 1940 to Cornelius and Anna Isaaks in Abbotsford, B.C. Her father drowned during the 1948 flood, leaving her mother with 9 children. Her mom held the family together, teaching Christian values and modelling trust in God’s care. Elsie gave her life to the Lord at 9; 7 years later, she was baptized and joined Central Heights Church. After high school, she moved to Vancouver and worked as a receptionist for Royal Bank. In 1963 she married John Petkau; several years later, they moved to Abbotsford to farm. They divorced in 1990. She worked as bookkeeper at Central Heights Church for 12 years. She married Bob Martens in 1992. She was bookkeeper for Central Heights Preschool for the next 7 years. She and Bob enjoyed backpacking, hiking, walking, jogging and car-camping. At church, she was involved in choir, Sunday school, Joint Heirs Ladies Ensemble and various committees. She encouraged people who were hurting, through Christians in Crisis and Divorce Care at church and through offering a listening ear on the telephone, in person or over coffee. She had a deep unconditional love for her children and grandchildren; contributed hard work, organizational skills and love of fun to gatherings of family and friends; volunteered at the Salvation Army meal centre; hosted weekend camping groups with Bob at Stillwood Camp; and made her own Christmas cards. In August she became ill with inoperable, aggressive cancer, but maintained her trust in God. Predeceased by 1 brother, she is mourned by Bob, children Carmen Perrett and Michael Petkau; step-children Heather Kleyn and Jeff Martens; 3 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 5 sisters. The memorial service was Nov. 14 in Central Heights Church, with Chris Douglas ministering.
Gerhard (George) Fast 
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Gerhard (George) Fast passed away Sept. 30. He was born Sept. 23, 1930 to John and Helena Fast in Beechy, Sask. The family moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. 8 years later. He finished grade 11 at Eden Christian College. At 14, he was deeply affected by the loss of his father. He struggled with his spiritual condition but at 19 received new life through Jesus. He graduated from Briercrest Bible College in 1955, then completed high school in Caronport, Sask. He taught briefly in Gravenhurst, Ont., then worked in construction and factory work. He responded to long, tedious hours with gratefulness for the work God had provided. At Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel, he served as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and youth leader. He married Ruth Klassen Oct. 25, 1958. He had bypass surgery in 1985. After retiring in June 1994, he enjoyed spending time with family, exploring back roads on his bicycle, golf, bowling, writing memoirs of his early years, reading, doing crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. In 2001 he had surgery for cancer and clogged arteries, but the cancer returned. He and Ruth encouraged each other with songs in the night. Predeceased by 6 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Ruth; children Shirley Froese, Lorne, Randy and Kevin; 9 grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Oct. 3 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont., with Vic Loewen ministering.
Tina Bergen
Tina Bergen passed away Nov. 2. She was born Oct. 28, 1909 to Johann and Anna Bergen in Adelsheim, Ukraine. Her mother died within a year. She was adopted by her father’s sister, who had 1 son. Her new parents died of typhus; she was separated from her new brother and reunited with her sisters and brothers about age 10. She loved to spend time outdoors. She came to know Jesus through a teacher and loved memorizing God’s Word and hymns. She and 2 sisters immigrated to Canada in 1947. They worked on vegetable and fruit farms in season. She lived alone in her house after her sisters died. In March 2000 she moved to Sutherland Hills Care Home, where she learned more English and had an opportunity for fellowship. Predeceased by 4 sisters and 2 brothers, she is mourned by 2 nieces and 2 nephews. The memorial service was Nov. 7 in Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C., with Arnie Peters ministering.
Katherine Justina Embury
Katherine Justina Embury passed away Oct. 21. She was born May 14, 1955 to the Penner family in Vancouver. She was a high energy, persistent girl. As a young lady, she developed strong values and clear goals. Her working career started in 1973 with BC Tel, where she showed strong leadership and helped develop policies. She married Don Embury June 2, 1978. After 2 years in Richmond, B.C., they moved to Kelowna, B.C. Helping people was her greatest desire. She worked hard to develop skills for service in church and enthusiastically volunteered to meet any challenge. She was involved with Victim Services, and served as a 911 dispatcher. She packed as much as she could into every day. She is mourned by Don and daughters, Taya, Jessica and Caitlin. The funeral was Oct. 26 in Willow Park Church, Kelowna, with Mark Burtch, Arnie Peters and Tim Van Brummelen ministering.
Anna Boldt 
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Anna Boldt passed away Oct. 16. She was born Dec. 27, 1910 to Jacob and Elizabeth Neufeld in Crimea. The family moved to Siberia. Her father was drafted in 1914 and died. The family moved to Molotschna, where her only sister died. In 1927 she and her mother moved to Vineland, Ont., to Breslau, Ont., where they worked as domestics in separate homes, and to Kitchener, Ont., where she worked in Goderich Factory and they could establish their own home. She was baptized in Kitchener MB Church. In 1930 she married Peter Boldt. They bought a farm in St. Agatha, Ont., then one in Beamsville, Ont. in 1939. She provided a home for her mother, her grandmother for a time and then daughter Irene and a granddaughter. She worked very hard in the fields, in the barn and cutting wood in the bush. At Vineland MB Church, she was active in MCC projects, the hostess committee and the women’s group. She loved to read, sew and work in her flower garden. They moved to Vineland, Ont. in 1972. She modelled love, faithfulness and commitment to prayer. She moved to Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, Ont., in 2001. Predeceased by daughter Laura in 1982 and Peter in 1992, she is mourned by daughters Irene Fagundo of Vineland and Carol Ediger of Winnipeg; 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 21 in Vineland MB Church, with Henry Wiebe and Helmut Koop ministering.
John Rempel
John Rempel passed away Nov. 23. He was born June 9, 1908 to Johann and Katharina Rempel in Petrovka, Russia. He received Christ at 15 and was baptized at 16. His life was characterized by a desire to share his faith with others. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Winnipeg and moving to B.C.’s Fraser Valley in 1930. He married Kay Wittenberg Aug. 9, 1941. He held many different jobs in the grocery, farming, farm implement, lumber and furniture businesses. The last 12 years of his career, he managed Clearbrook Credit Union. He also served as volunteer treasurer/bookkeeper for a number of organizations. He and Kay loved music and for many years were involved in church and community choirs. His last couple of years, he spoke often of going home. He is mourned by Kay; son Herb of Toronto; daughter Joan Ens of Burnaby, B.C.; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Nov. 28 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Henry Thiessen and Wilmer Kornelson ministering.
John Wiebe 
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John Wiebe passed away Nov. 17. He was born Nov. 16, 1928 to Jacob and Elizabeth Wiebe in Plum Coulee, Man. After grade 8, he helped on the farm in Oak Bluff, Man. In 1952, he moved to Winnipeg; he had various construction jobs but regularly commuted to help on the farm. He married Alma Schroeder July 13, 1957. He was a truck driver for Winnipeg’s sanitation department for 29 years, retiring in 1988. He became a believer and was baptized at 19. As a young man, he read through the Gospel of John many times. Later he read through the Bible every year for 30 years. He was a member of Springstein (Man.) MB Church and South End and Elmwood MB Churches in Winnipeg. In retirement, he delivered flyers; delivered Christmas hampers for the Christmas Cheer Board; attended 2 senior church groups; and worked in security at Elmwood MB Church. He had a generous, trusting nature. His hobbies included reading the Winnipeg Free Press and MB Herald, listening to radio, gardening and recycling metal in his garage. He never fully recovered from a stroke Dec. 17, 2001. Predeceased by daughter Wanda and 1 brother, he is mourned by Alma; daughters Marlene and Glenda and son Lawrence, all of Winnipeg; 3 grandchildren; 5 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Nov. 22 in Elmwood MB Church, with Keith Poysti ministering.
Gertrude Peters
Gertrude Peters passed away Dec. 5. She was born July 30, 1914 in Shemanovka, Siberia, 9th of 10 children in the blended family of Jacob Voth and Gertrude Neufeld. She was a weakly child with a quiet, calm disposition. The family fled to Moscow in 1925 and immigrated to Winnipeg in 1927. She attended school for 2 years, then worked as a domestic helper and nanny. She was baptized in the MB Church Feb. 2, 1932. In 1933 the family moved to Vancouver. In 1935 she married Henry Peters. They lived in Vancouver, moving to acreage on Lulu Island in 1943. She cared for the children; tended the cows, chickens and other animals; grew a large vegetable garden and fruit trees; preserved 700 quarts a season; sewed diapers, clothes and quilts; made butter; cooked and kept a beautiful house. Later she joined the ladies’ group at Fraserview MB Church, joined a health spa and learned to drive. She and Henry travelled to Hawaii and Europe, took cruises, enjoyed board games; visited family; and hosted family gatherings. After Henry retired in 1972, they moved to a house, then a condo in Abbotsford, B.C. In spite of trials the last 12 years and a difficult move to Menno Pavilion, her positive spirit never wavered. Predeceased by Henry and sons Danny, Bob and Rick, she is mourned by children Marguerite, Lena, Frank, Nancy, Jack and Ron; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 10 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Wilmer Kornelson and Peter Harms ministering.
Margaret Neufeld
Margaret (Falk) Neufeld of Niverville Place, Niverville, Man., passed away Oct. 20. She was born Nov. 27, 1915 in Steinfeld, Russia. She came to Canada at 17. She married Jacob Neufeld of Niverville. Predeceased by Jacob in 1947 and son Johnny in 1999, she is mourned by daughters Nora Froese and Ginger Hyshka, both of Winnipeg; 7 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 2 half-sisters. The funeral was Oct. 24 in Fourth Ave. Bible Church, Niverville, with Rick McCorkindale and Abe Neufeld ministering.
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