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In this section:
Helene Janzen 
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Helene Janzen passed away Jan. 16. She was born Nov. 25, 1913 to David and Elizabeth Niessen in Kusmitzky, Russia. When she was 8, her father died of typhus. A year later, her sister Elizabeth died. This had a profound effect on Helene, and she put her faith in God. As the oldest child, she had to work hard to care for the family, and attended school only 4 years. At 18, she was baptized in Nikolaithal. When worship services were again allowed in 1942, she joined Blumenfeld MB Church. She married Jacob Janzen Sept. 17, 1940. They fled to Poland, where Jacob was conscripted into the army. For over 3 years, she did not know where he was. They were reunited in German in 1947. They immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. in 1952 and joined Coaldale MB Church. She is remembered for her strength, unwavering love for family, faith in God, caring spirit and willingness to share her talents in support of others. She enjoyed knitting, stitching and gardening, and made a quilt for every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild, even some not yet born. She was organized and meticulous, working tirelessly to nurture her family. Predeceased by Jacob in 1998, daughter Helene the day before they left Russia, 1 great-grandson, 5 sisters and 1 brother, she is mourned by children Jake, Lottie, Sig, John, Peter, David and Arnold; 25 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 18 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Annie Siemens 
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Annie Siemens of Saskatoon passed away Jan. 22. She was born to Cornelius and Liese Wall Apr. 3, 1906 during a prairie fire in Borden, Sask. She accepted Christ at age 12 and was baptized Sept. 5, 1920 by pastor John Harder. She attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School, where she met John Siemens. They married Oct. 20, 1929. They farmed in Elbow, Sask., moving to Borden in 1931. Annie worked hard, taught her family to be thankful and encouraged her children and grandchildren to memorize Scripture. They moved to Saskatoon in 1962. John died Jan. 21, 1990. Annie lived in Berini Court, Saskatoon, and in Winnipeg. After a stroke, she moved to Central Haven Special Care Home, Saskatoon. She never complained but rested in the fact that God was her shepherd. She loved to read her Bible. A favourite passage was Ps. 121. Predeceased by John, son Albert in 1941 and a great-grandson, she is mourned by daughters Betty Willems, and Doreen Schroeder of Winnipeg, Edna Goertzen of Saskatoon, Lois Gustafson of Melfort, Sask.; sons Jack of Edmonton and Gary of Missoula, Mont.; 24 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 26 in Westgate Alliance Church, Saskatoon with MaryAnne Isaak ministering.
James William Dawson
James William Dawson passed away Dec. 22 in Nanaimo (B.C.) Hospital. He was born Jan. 1, 1917 in Hillcrest, Alta. After serving overseas with the army for 4 years, he worked for Eaton’s in Edmonton for 27 years. He and his wife Vaughan then ran Dawson Fabrics in Calgary for 13 years before retiring to Nanaimo, B.C. in 1980. He loved golf, spending time in his workshop and music, and learned to play the organ. Predeceased by son Greig, he is mourned by Vaughan, his wife of 60 years; son Jim of Nanaimo; daughter Joan O’Dell of Chemainus, B.C.; 5 grandsons; and 1 sister. A memorial service was held Jan. 3 at Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, with James Toews ministering.
Cornelius Kroeker
Cornelius Kroeker passed away Jan. 22 at age 86, after a long struggle for health. He is mourned by Helena, his wife of 43 years; daughter Carol Kroeker of Surrey, B.C.; sons: Al of Surrey, Ed of Richmond, B.C., Garry of Summerland, B.C. and Abe Kroeker of Westbank, B.C.; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 25 at Emmanuel Assembly, Westbank, with Derrick Hamre ministering.
Becky Charmaine Janzen 
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Becky Charmaine Janzen of Olds, Alta. passed away Dec. 31 after being hospitalized for an apparent case of pneumonia. She was born July 25, 1980 to Ike and Frieda Janzen in Saskatoon. She was born with spina bifida, which meant many doctor appointments, surgeries and nights in hospital. At 3, she began school in Hague, Sask. She also attended school in Three Hills, Midway and Linden, Alta. and graduated from Olds Horizon School at 19. She was baptized Jan. 3, 1999. She had a passion for God and an ability to cheer people. She loved praying, reading the Bible, going to church and Bible studies, playing Uno, talking on the phone, playing on the computer while listening to music, drinking Tim Horton’s coffee, being taken out for supper and having company. She is remembered for her strong hugs, phone calls, lopsided smiles, amazing memory, stubbornness and unconditional love. She is mourned by her parents; grandparents; siblings Tracey Colyn, Eric, LeeAnn Fehr, Wanda Goossen and Amy Janzen; and special friend Dustin James. The funeral was Jan. 4 in Prairie Tabernacle, Three Hills, with Konrad Loewen, Howard Peters and Ralph Klassen ministering.
Henry Ens 
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Henry Ens passed away Nov. 30. He was born in 1926 to John A. and Marie Ens in Hague, Sask. and grew up in Waldheim, Sask. He enjoyed swimming in the river and working on the farm with his Dad, especially with horses. At 14, he accepted Christ, based on John 1:12, after talking with a friend on a threshing machine. He was baptized in 1946 in the Saskatchewan River and joined Waldheim MB Church. He completed high school in 1945, taught school for several months, then attended Bethany Bible School for 3 years. In 1948 he moved to St. Catharines Ont. He married Sally Heidebrecht in May 1950. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He worked at GM for 5 years while taking night classes, earning a Registered Industrial Accountant degree in 1963. He worked as an accountant in Canada for several years and then in Niagara Falls, NY, and Sanborne, NY for 25 years, retiring in 1988. For many years he served as treasurer of Scott St. and then Grantham MB Churches in St. Catharines. He served on many MB Conference committees. In his last 2 years he struggled with memory and comprehension problems but continued to try to help. He was a gentle man with a quiet spirit who rarely lost his cool, a peacemaker and a man of few but wise words. On Nov. 11 he suffered a stroke and lost his ability to speak. Predeceased by 3 sisters, he is mourned by Sally; son Robert; daughter Eileen Baerg; and 2 granddaughters. The funeral was Dec. 3 at Grantham MB Church, with Bob Enns, John Wiebe and John Block ministering.
Martha Ruth Wolff 
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Martha Ruth Wolff of Richmond, B.C., passed away Oct. 4. She was born Oct. 4, 1957 to Jakob and Maria Janzen in Neuland Colony, Neu Halbstadt, Paraguay. The family immigrated to Vancouver Dec. 23, 1959. She was a shy, fun-loving person who enjoyed games and unusual foods. In her late teens, she accepted Jesus, was baptized and joined Culloden MB Church. After high school, she attended Bethany Bible School in Saskatchewan for a year, then worked at Dun & Bradstreet and Shell Canada. She married Pete Wolff Apr. 15, 1978. After the children were all in school, she enjoyed doing carpentry with Pete, installing door locks, hanging bifold doors and doing shelving. She became ill in December 2001, was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in January, had liver surgery in March and returned to hospital numerous times over the summer. Her faith in God and love for her family sustained her. Predeceased by 1 brother, she is mourned by Pete; children Lisa, Becky, Kevin, Jaimie and Michelle; her parents; 3 sisters and 3 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 10 at Culloden MB Church, with Ted Klassen ministering.
Theodor C. Martens 
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Theodor C. Martens of Altona, Man. passed away Dec. 14. He was born Nov. 7, 1919 to Cornelius and Katrina Martens in Chortitza, Ukraine. His father died of typhus 2 months later. He and his mother immigrated to Canada in August. 1927. His mother married David Dick 2 years later; from him Theodor learned a love for farming and the ministry. He accepted Christ Dec. 4, 1938. He was baptized in August 1939 in Saskatoon and joined the MB church. He studied at Bethany Bible Institute and earned a B.Th. from MB Bible College in Winnipeg in 1950. In 1946 he married Frieda Willms in Steinbach, Man. They worked with Western Children’s Mission 1 year. He earned a B.A. from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. They went to Congo as MB missionaries in 1954, serving almost 5 years till forced home by malaria. He began teaching school in Niverville, Man., earned his B.Ed. in 1965 and was one of the ministers in Niverville, MB Church. In 1975 they moved to Altona, where he taught and served as a minister in Horndean MB Church. He later helped start the MB church in Altona. A silent heart attack sapped his energy. In retirement he enjoyed reading, writing the family history, visiting his children, camping and fishing. Predeceased by son Robert and 1 sister, he is mourned by Frieda; daughters Carol Pritcher of Knoxville, Tenn. and Elizabeth Hiebert of Ryley, Alta.; 6 grandchildren; and 2 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 21 in South Park MB Church, Altona, with Ken Neufeld ministering.
Hans Sapinsky 
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Hans Sapinsky passed away Nov. 20 in Herbert, Sask. He was born Apr. 16, 1920, near Shamrock, Sask. to John and Eva Sapinsky. The family moved to McMahon, Sask. He enjoyed school, particularly teachers George Thiessen and Paul Wiebe. He attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School 1934–35, where he sang in the choir and a quartet. He accepted Christ during this time and was baptized, joining Rheinfeld MB Church. He worked on the family farm, then on Lane Anderson farm in Wymark, Sask. Here he was considered a trusted friend. He spent the winters of the war years working in shipyards in Vancouver and Thunder Bay, Ont. In 1942 he returned to Bible school. He married Ruth Redekop Apr. 4, 1945. He worked for Redekop Farm Equipment Co. In 1959–60 he apprenticed as an electrician in Regina. He enjoyed working as an electrical contractor together with his sons and other young men. Music and singing were a great joy to him. Hans and Ruth loved travelling; he communicated much while playing games with children and grandchildren. Predeceased by 5 brothers and daughter Julia, he is mourned by Ruth; sons Rich and Gerry; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; the adopted Kent Martens family; 4 sisters and 3 half-brothers. The funeral was Nov. 25 in Herbert MB Church with Henry Dueck ministering.
Henry Milton Gossen
Henry Milton Gossen passed away Jan. 3 in Saskatoon. He was born Sept. 4, 1916 to Jacob and Susan Gossen in Langham, Sask. The family moved to Dalmeny, Sask., then to Hepburn where his father became postmaster. Henry served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II. In November 1947 he married Violet Harder. They moved to Saskatoon. He renewed his relationship with the Lord, was baptized and joined the church. His steadfast faith was a blessing to his family. In 1954 they moved to Hepburn and Henry became postmaster. He transferred to Saskatoon Post Office in 1964, working there until retirement in 1980. He served as Sunday school superintendent, on the church board, as treasurer and on various committees. He was on village council, the school board and the Hepburn Co-op board. After retirement, they travelled extensively, visited Kenya, spent 11 winters in Brownsville, Tex. and spent time at their cottage at Turtle Lake. In 1996 they moved to Saskatoon. Predeceased by 3 brothers, he is mourned by Vi; sons Rick of Langley, B.C. and Gary of Saskatoon; daughter Lois Litz of Winnipeg; 4 grandchildren; 1 brother and 3 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 10 in Hepburn MB Church with Reuben Andres and Abe Klassen ministering.
Katherine (Katie) Koehn 
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Katherine Koehn passed away Jan. 12 in Chilliwack, B.C. She was born Aug. 22, 1914 in Orenburg, Russia, to Isaak and Katarina Braun. In 1929 the family emigrated from Siberia to Yarrow, B.C., moving to Greendale, B.C. in March 1930. At age 15, Katherine went to work in Vancouver where she learned to read and write English. She attended a Baptist church and accepted the Lord; was baptized and joined Greendale MB Church. She married David Koehn in 1933. They lived in Greendale until a move to Chilliwack in 1954, where she joined Broadway MB Church. David died in April 1975. Katherine then joined Chilliwack Alliance Church. She enjoyed travelling, reading, needlework, crocheting and knitting. At age 70 she began painting. She was a daily prayer warrior for her family and friends. She had open heart surgery in 1992 and recovered enough to resume her walks. In 2001 she moved to Chilliwack Lifestyles and in December 2002 was diagnosed with bone cancer. Predeceased by David, son Vern in 1971, 2 brothers and 1 great-granddaughter, she is mourned by sons Hank and John; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 2 sisters. The funeral was held in Henderson’s Funeral Home with Harold Krahn and Henry Warkentin ministering.
Frieda Dueck 
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Frieda Dueck passed away Dec. 17 in St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Nov. 22, 1924 in Crimea, to Jacob and Tina Funk. In March 1930 the family emigrated to Canada. They lived in Blaine Lake, Sask. for 4 years, then moved to Hepburn, Sask. At age 12, Frieda accepted Jesus. Later the family moved to Vineland, Ont. Her mother died in 1939; her father married Maria Loewen. The family moved to Virgil and attended Virgil MB Church. Frieda attended Eden Bible School for 3 years. She married John Dueck in July 1947. Besides her own children, she cared for numerous foster children. Gardening, canning and preserving helped feed the family. She was active in church, teaching Sunday school, serving on committees in ladies groups, was a leader in Pioneer Girls and was church librarian. She loved to travel. They camped, and later travelled with a house trailer. They enjoyed numerous trips to Europe and the Caribbean. After a stroke in 1997, her health declined. Predeceased by her brother and sister, she is mourned by John; sons Phil, Jon and Randy; daughters Judith Dueck-Johnson, Crystal Yoandis; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. The funeral was Dec. 21 in Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, with Waldo Pauls and Randy Dueck ministering.
Marguerite Branston
Essie Marguerite Branston passed away Jan. 15 in St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Aug. 14, 1912 in Jordan Station, Ont. She had to leave school at an early age to take care of the family home. She married Leonard Bowman in 1929, a union blessed with three children. They lived in Thorold, Ont. Leanord died of Cancer in December 1956. Marg work at the Provincial Paper Mill. She married Ernest Branston and moved to St. Catharines. She was involved in the care of her daughter’s children. Daughter Doris died suddenly. Ernie died of a heart attack after 20 years of marriage. Marg took fastidious care of her house and yard. She loved gardening, especially tulips and roses and enjoyed knitting, teaching others how to knit in the Time Out program at church. Youngest son Gary died of heart disease. Her faith in her Saviour kept her strong and determined. She lived in Tabor Manor the past 2 years. She is mourned by son Robert and 10 grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 20 in Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines with Waldo Pauls ministering.
Rueben Engel
Rueben Engel passed away Jan. 21 in Medicine Hat, Alta. He was born May 12, 1915 near Woodrow, Sask. He worked for his father on the homestead farm. He married Teana Lautermilch June 23, 1937. They farmed in Bateman, Sask. for a year, then near Gravelbourg, Sask. In 1962 they began spending winters in Medicine Hat while continuing to farm. They retired in 1982. They spent winters in Hawaii and Mesa, Ariz. He enjoyed camping with his grandchildren. Rueben helped start and build Crestwood MB Church and served on the church board and other capacities. He was a lifetime member of the Gideons, distributing thousands of Bibles to students in the city. He is mourned by Teana; sons, Stan and Les of Medicine Hat; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers. The funeral was Jan. 25 in Crestwood MB Church, with Murray Schmidt ministering.
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