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In this section:
Abe Giesbrecht
Abe Giesbrecht of Armstrong, B.C. passed away Jan. 12 at age 75. He was known for his cheerfulness, caring and gentle nature. He was “Mr. Fix-it” to the community and was dedicated to the church. He was predeceased by Tena, his wife of 43 years, in January 1992, 6 brothers and 2 sisters. He is mourned by his second wife Mary; daughters Lois of Armstrong and Gaydene of Burns Lake, B.C.; 5 grandchildren; 3 brothers; 4 sisters.
June Evelyn Wutzke
June Evelyn Wutzke passed away Jan. 28. She was born July 26, 1940 near Log Valley, Sask. June accepted Christ while attending daily vacation Bible school, and was baptized, joining Herbert (Sask.) MB Church in summer 1962. She married Paul Wutzke Apr. 21, 1963. They farmed near Herbert. They moved to Herbert in 1996. Paul died Mar. 19, 1997. June was a loving and caring person. She enjoyed visiting family and friends and listening to Christian music. She is mourned by son Frank; daughter Eileen; 4 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 1 at Herbert MB Church, with Bob Cappelle ministering.
Susan Jean Voth 
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Susan Jean Voth passed away Nov. 10 of cancer. She was born to Andrew and Neta Toews Mar. 10, 1940 in Steinbach, Man. The family moved to Yarrow, B.C. when Jean was 6, and later to Terrace, B.C. Jean took Grade 13 at MEI in Abbotsford, B.C. and teacher’s training at UBC. After teaching 2 years in Terrace, she studied at MB Bible College, Winnipeg. She married Bert Voth in 1964. They lived in North Vancouver, where she taught school, becoming a full-time homemaker when her children were born. The family spent 2 years in Belgium, where Bert taught with the Department of National Defence. Jean later worked as a special education aide at Upper Lynn School, where she brought peace to the staff room during hectic times. She cared for her grandchildren. She shared her talents in choral music, gardening, flower arranging, cooking, baking and quilting. She enjoyed travelling and visiting family, especially trips to Clear Lake, Man. with Bert’s family. They served with Youth With A Mission in Hawaii, the Philippines and Indonesia. She spent time in Japan helping a friend. At Capilano Christian Community Church she taught children, co-led home groups and supported Bert’s leadership. She is remembered for her warmth, kindness and honesty. She was comforted by 1 Peter 5:7. She is mourned by Bert; sons Alex and Andrew; daughter Maureen; 2 grandchildren; her father; 2 brothers. The funeral was Nov. 17 at West Vancouver Baptist Church with Paddy Ducklow ministering.
Nellie Horton
Nellie Horton passed away Feb. 2 after suffering a severe stroke in Winnipeg. She was born July 28, 1913 in Nassau, Bahamas. She received her education here. She became skilled at floral arranging, even making arrangements for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She married Oakley Horton in Nassau in April 1945. They moved to Canada in 1946, settling in Tillsonburg, Ont. She was a homemaker and a gifted seamstress. They attended the Methodist church. She received Christ in her teen years. Oakley died in 1983. Nellie moved to Mitchell, Ont, and in spring 1990 to Port Rowan, Ont. She attended Port Rowan MB Church and joined a care group. She is mourned by son David of Long Point, Ont.; daughter Carolyn Larson of Winnipeg; 5 grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was Feb. 6 at Glendinning Funeral Home, Port Rowan, with Sandy Young ministering.
Tina Sawatsky
Tina Sawatsky passed away Oct. 11. She was born Feb. 28, 1916 to John and Marie Wiebe in Kronsfeld, Russia. Her mother died when Tina was 3. Tina became ill with typhoid fever, smallpox and a scalp infection. Her father remarried. The family moved to Waldheim, Sask. in 1923. She married John Sawatzky Jan. 19, 1936. They moved to Coaldale, Alta., both working on farms until they bought their own land. Tina was soft, warm, unselfish, always putting others ahead of herself. She had a strong faith and was a committed prayer warrior. She was faithful to God and family. Her family remembers her homemade bread, buns, noodles, wareneki and soups. She is mourned by John; children Alvin, Jack, Alice Unger and Ken, all of Coaldale and Lethbridge, and Esther Sawatsky of Edmonton; 2 sisters, 2 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 16 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms ministering.
Luc Vuong
Luc Vuong passed away in Lethbridge, Alta. Nov. 16. She was born in China and later moved to Vietnam. She married and started her family. In 1979 the family moved to Coaldale, Alta. They were grateful to Coaldale MB Church for the help they received to start their life here. She is survived by husband Can; sons Tong of Ohio and Mai of Toronto; daughters Phi Luc of Mississauga, Ont., Phan Luu of Coaldale and Phuong Vuong and Hung Khuu of Lethbridge; 16 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild. The funeral was Nov. 20 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms ministering.
Elsie Dick
Elsie Dick passed away Dec. 18. She was born Feb. 9, 1940 to Gerhard and Barbara Dick in New Hamburg, Ont. In 1947 the family moved to Virgil, Ont. Health problems soon developed. Her mother cared for her for 18 years until she moved to Bethesda Home. Music delighted her and she requested her records to be played many times. She communicated with her eyes, sounds and responses, revealing a greater measure of understanding than expected. Her 60th birthday party was a special occasion of delight. Predeceased by her parents and sister Bertha Wichert, she is mourned by sister Olga and brother Wilbert. The funeral was Dec. 20 Tallman Funeral Chapel, Vineland, Ont., with George Wichert ministering.
John Herman Klassen
John Herman Klassen passed away Oct. 21 in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Feb. 25, 1922 in Donskoj, Samara, Russia. The family emigrated to Canada in 1930, settling in Coaldale, Alta. He became a Christian in his early teens and was baptized a few years later. He attended Coaldale Bible School. He moved to B.C. in 1942 and married Katie Abrahams Oct. 8, 1944. He worked as a carpenter, had a dairy farm and had a grain farm in Dawson Creek, B.C. He loved church, especially the music. He helped build two churches where the family attended. His health began to fail due to Parkinson’s disease but he remained in good spirits. He experienced the faithfulness of God. He is mourned by Katie; sons Ken and Ervin; daughters Marilyn Doerksen and Adeline Klassen; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 26 in Chilliwack (B.C.) Central MB Church, with Adam Wiggins ministering.
Helen Harms 
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Helen Harms passed away Dec. 26. She was born Jan. 4, 1928 in Samara, Russia, to David and Helena Thiessen. The family immigrated to Canada when Helen was a child. She worked in Winnipeg as nanny and housekeeper. She married John Harms May 28, 1949. They farmed near Bristol for 45 years. Helen managed the farm while John worked in lumber camps. She cared for her aging mother. Helen and John were baptized and joined Steinbach (Man.) MB Church Nov. 22, 1992. In 1994 they retired to Mitchell, Man. and were involved in the Mitchell Senior Centre and church activities. She cared for John until his death in January 1997. She was diagnosed with cancer in November 2002. She was an avid gardener, raising vegetables, fruit, gladioli and irises; was an excellent cook and seamstress and a serious puzzler. She loved to play games with her grandchildren. Predeceased by John and daughter Daphne Harel, she is mourned by daughters Della Hiebert, Doreen Penner and Dorothy Laurin; sons Dennis, Donald and Douglas; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 5 brothers; 4 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 31 in Steinbach MB Church, with Abe Klassen ministering.
Susie Derksen
Susie Derksen passed away Jan. 28 in Boissevain, Man. She was born July 12, 1912 to David and Susanna Derksen. She was predeceased by 4 siblings in infancy, sisters Tina Friesen and Anna in 1996; brother Henry in 1997. She is mourned by brother David of Leamington, Ont., sister Helen Penner of Winkler, Man. and brother Peter of Boissevain. The funeral was Feb. 1 in Boissevain MB Church, with Gerry Derksen and Tom Warner ministering.
Helen Dyck
Helen Dyck passed away Feb. 1. She was born Mar. 13, 1930 to Peter J. and Elizabeth Klassen in Donnellyville, Sask. She moved to Swift Current, Sask. to work. Later she worked part-time on her sister’s farm, where she met Wilbert Dyck. They married and settled in Lucky Lake, Sask. They moved to Moose Jaw, Sask. and later back to Swift Current. She helped in the family business and volunteered at an MCC clothing store. Predeceased by 1 sister and 2 brothers, she is mourned by Wilbert; sons Dennis, Ken and Brian; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 4 sisters; 2 brothers. The funeral was Feb. 6 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Cliff Janzen ministering.
Abraham Herman Martens 
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Abraham Herman Martens passed away Jan. 21. He was born in Kuterla, Neu Samara, Russia, Apr. 1, 1921. When he was 5, the family left Russia; due to medical problems, they spent time in England and Mexico before coming to Canada. They settled in Tofield, Alta. He helped on the family farm. He spent a year at Bible school. He was baptized. He worked at Stauffer farm and drove truck for Rogers Trucking. He bought his own Rogers truck. He married Katherine Klassen in Lindbrook MB Church Oct. 22, 1941. After trucking and crop failure they moved to Yarrow, B.C. He continued driving truck for Vedder Transport for 28 years, retiring in 1988. They served in catering at the church and as deacons. Abe served on various church committees and on private school boards. He sang in choirs, male choirs and the Bakerview Fellowship Choir. He had open heart surgery in 1980 but regained his health. He is mourned by Katherine; sons Walter, Ken and Ron; daughters, Joyce Regehr and Irene Smith; 22 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 brother; 3 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 28 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Rudie Willms and Henry Thiessen ministering.
Theodore (Ted) Henry Borne 
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Theodore Henry Borne passed away Jan. 23. He was born Oct. 21, 1909 to Heinrich and Katherine Born in Memrik Colony, South Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926 and settled on Tom Hall’s farm near Oakville, Man. He married Mary Sawatsky June 21, 1933. After a short time on Hall’s farm, they moved to their own farm near Newton Siding, Man. After a diligent search for truth, Ted accepted Christ in his early 20s, was baptized and joined Newton Siding MB Church. In 1946 they moved to Fork River, Man. where they farmed for 19 years. They served as deacons. In 1965 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. and joined East Aldergrove MB Church. Ted had a consistent prayer life; church attendance, Bible reading and tithing were important to him. He enjoyed listening to tapes and radio broadcasts of Back to the Bible and The Hour of Decision. He enjoyed participating in singing and choir. He was a meticulous worker. In B.C. he worked at delivering and shovelling coal, then at Clearbrook Frozen Foods until retirement. Mary died in 1982. He married Helene Bergmann Dec. 8, 1984 and joined Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. Two years ago, his health began to fail; he moved to Tabor Home and later to Menno Hospital. Predeceased by Mary, son Jake, 1 grandson, 1 brother and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Helene; sons George of Stettler, Alta., Henry of Dauphin, Man., Herman of Pincher Creek, Alta., Vern of Kelowna, B.C., John of Mission, B.C. and Art of Kamloops, B.C.; daughters Laura Hamm of Norquay, Sask., Helen Hamm of Arran, Sask. and Eleanor Wall of Caronport, Sask.; 29 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; 1 brother; 2 sisters; 4 stepchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren;18 stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 29 in Bakerview MB Church, with Henry Thiessen ministering.
Wilhelmine (Mina) Schroeder
Wilhelmine Schroeder passed away Jan. 28. She was born to David and Helena Thiessen in Kantemirofka, Ukraine Jan. 5, 1914. The family emigrated to Canada in 1924. She was a homemaker and expert seamstress and dressmaker. She lived with her family in Kitchener, Ont. until moving to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1988. Predeceased by her husband Bill in 1989 and a brother, she is mourned by sons Dennis of Victoria and David of Halifax; 5 grandchildren; 1 brother; 1 sister. The funeral was Jan. 31 in Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford.
Maria Koehn 
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Maria Koehn passed away Dec. 5. She was born Feb. 12, 1904 to Peter and Helena Martens in Orloff, Sagradowka, Russia. She enjoyed school, memorizing many poems that she could still recite at age 90. She worked on the farm, plowing with a team of horses. At 15, she accepted Christ; she was baptized the following summer, joining the Allianz Church. Her father and oldest brother died on one day in 1919 during the revolution. In 1924 she emigrated to Herbert, Sask. with her mother, married brother and 2 sisters; they later moved to Blumenort, Sask. On Aug. 21, 1927 she married Henry David Koehn, her fiancé who had stayed in Russia to do alternative service. In 1936 they moved to Vauxhall, Alta. She worked hard helping Henry on their small farm and had a large garden to supply food for the family. They moved to Vancouver in 1958 and retired to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1970. Maria pursued her hobby of crocheting, making tablecloths for her children and afghans for her grandchildren. In 1992 they moved to Sunset Manor. Henry passed away in 1997. She moved to Tabor Home. Predeceased by Henry, an infant son and daughter Loretta Dyck in 1977, she is mourned by sons Arthur, Walter and Ernie; daughters Linda Fast, Anita Hamm, Ellie Kroeker and Dora Schulz; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 11 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Heinz Ratzlaff and William E. Thiessen ministering.
Anna Fast 
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Anna Fast passed away Nov. 27. She was born to Peter and Katharina Becker in Franztal, Ukraine Aug. 3, 1897. She accepted Christ at age 18. At age 20 she fled to Crimea and lived in a sod hut on her brother’s yard until 1922 when she and brother Jake began their trip to the US. Because of illness, they were detained and had to take a Greek freighter, the only human passengers amidst many sheep. They settled in Mountain Lake, Minn. She worked to pay her travel debts. She married John Neufeld Mar. 13, 1924. They pioneered in a forest in Newport, Wash. A son was born but died 3 days later. They moved to Chicago, Ill. In 1930 they moved to Saskatchewan to be near John’s mother and siblings, settling in Laird, Sask. After 9 hard years they moved to Yarrow, B.C., farming in Sumas Prairie for 13 years, then on a smaller farm before retiring in Yarrow. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1971. John died in 1976. She married Abram Fast Oct. 15, 1978. They moved to Sherwood Manor in 1985, then to Menno Home 8 years later. Abram died a year later. Anna moved to Menno Hospital for her last 3 years. She was totally blind and completely bedridden but her mind was still alert. When asked on her 101 birthday for the secret of her long life, she replied “My faith in God and His continuing strength.” Her favourite Scriptures were Ps. 121 and 119:105. Anna is remembered for her tireless work, love for music, prayers for her children and her enduring faith. She is mourned by son Al; daughters Katie Dyck and Anne; 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 30 in Menno Hospital Chapel, with Doris Rempel and H. Claassen ministering.
Trevor Reuben Klassen 
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Trevor Reuben Klassen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 1 of a massive stroke. He was born Aug. 28, 1940 to Cornelius and Clara Klassen in Aberdeen, Sask. He was a willing and dependable helper on the farm. In 1951 the family moved to Clearbrook, B.C., where they attended Clearbrook MB Church and he sang in the choir. He became a child of God at age 10 with the help of Mrs. Krueger. Two years later, at a Sutera Twins meeting, he received assurance of salvation and claimed Hebrews 7:25. He was baptized in 1962 by John Epp and joined Clearbrook MB Church. He played the piano and cello, the latter in the Neufeld orchestra. He took a bookkeeping course at Western Business College and got a job. He also began working for the post office in Vancouver and earned several promotions until a recurring illness forced him to take a disability pension in 1979. He married Kathleen McBride Mar. 4, 1967; 1 son was born. On July 4, 1973 he married Lorna Lois Warkentine; 2 children were born to them. She predeceased him. In his last years, his health was better. He enjoyed time with his children and granddaughter, friends and brothers; played crib and chess; drove his car and looked after it. Predeceased by Lorna and his father, he is mourned by his mother, children Jerome, Randy and Jevona; stepchildren Barry and Stewart; 1 granddaughter; 2 brothers; 1 sister. The funeral was at Personal Alternative Funeral Home, with Jake Esau ministering.
Sara Suderman 
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Sara Suderman passed away Dec. 4. She was born to Abram and Margaretha Klassen Aug. 22, 1902 in Ukraine. The family settled in Guzsarovka, where her father opened a general store. She married Peter Suderman June 8, 1924. They arrived in Canada in June 1926. After a year each in rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan, they moved to Regina, where they lived 36 years. Sara was industrious and resourceful and fed and clothed the family in spite of the depression. She taught the children to make a personal choice for God and how to live a godly life. She was hospitable, hosting many overnight guests. After Peter retired in his early 50s, he and Sara made themselves available to help people and made hospital visits. In 1964 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. They moved to Menno Home in 1997. Predeceased by husband Peter, daughter Marguerite Fletcher and 2 grandchildren, she is mourned by sons Peter, Jake and Henry; daughters Mitzi Peters and Helene, who was her caretaker for many years; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 16 in Clearbrook MB Church with Walter Wiens, and Heinz Ratzlaff ministering.
Katie Janzen
Katie Janzen passed away Dec. 9 after a series of strokes. She was born in Friedensfeld, Russia May 31, 1919. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1923. They lived in Swalwell, Alta. moving to Dundam in 1924, to Hepburn, Sask. in 1936 and to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1947. Katie lived with her parents. She accepted the Lord at age 14 and was baptized in the Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. She was a member of Clearbrook MB Church. She played piano for choir practices and Bible studies. Her health was not good, but she prayed for those who were sick. The funeral was at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, Dec. 16 with Heinz Ratzlaff and Art Isaac ministering.
Nathan David Engler
Nathan David Engler passed away unexpectedly and inexplicably Dec. 27. He was born Oct. 29, 2002 to Alvin and Denise Engler in Abbotsford, B.C., a strong, healthy boy. He delighted in music and gazing at bright lights. The family is comforted by the knowledge that singing and light find their perfection in heaven. He is mourned by Alvin and Denise; grandparents Sig and Johanna Engler and George and Dorothy Williams. The funeral was Jan. 2 at Central Heights Church, with Lyndon Plett ministering.
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