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In this section:
Irma Willms 
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Irma Willms of Abbotsford, B.C. died Feb. 13. She was born Dec. 2, 1914 to Abram and Helene Rempel in Chechnya, Russia. The family lived on her grandfather’s estate. During the revolution, they moved to Ebental where they homesteaded and built a sod house. She accepted Jesus during a spiritual reawakening and was baptized in her early teens. Her father became a preacher. They moved to Neu Hoffnung, then emigrated to Manitoba in 1930. After the harvest, they moved to Yarrow, B.C. Irma worked as a housekeeper on farms, then got a job in Vancouver at 17. She became a charter member of South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB Church where her father was preacher. She married Henry Willms Oct. 25, 1936. In March 1937 they began a dairy farm, but also did mixed farming. In 1969 they retired and built a new house on the property. They travelled; Irma looked after her granddaughters, and spent time in her flower garden. They moved to Garden Park Tower in 1998. She led by example, was loving, patient and kind. She had great faith in God and was faithful in prayer. She is mourned by Henry; sons Walter, Rudy, John, Vic and Rick; daughters Selma Turner, Erika LeClair and MarieAnne Dick; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 3 sisters; 3 brothers. The funeral was Feb. 20 in South Abbotsford MB Church with David Epp ministering.
Peter Jacob (PJC) Wiebe
Peter Jacob Wiebe died April 20. He was born Oct. 26, 1915 in Winkler, Man. to John G. and Katharina Wiebe. He was baptized and joined Winkler MB Church Aug. 2, 1942. After an accident at age 19, Peter was told he would never walk again. However, he taught his legs to respond and walked until age 84. He farmed on the farm begun by his grandfather Gerhard Wiebe (leader of the first MB church in Canada) in 1892. Peter married Connie Sept. 12, 1942. They lived on the Wiebe homestead until 1958, when they moved into Winkler. He loved music, playing piano, guitar and harmonica by ear. He also sang. He travelled across North America. Predeceased by Connie in 1983, 1 granddaughter, 3 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by daughters Judy Wiebe of New Westminster, B.C. and Nancy Wiebe of Morden, Man.; sons Eugene and Rab of Winkler; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters; 1 brother. The funeral was April 25 in Winkler MB Church with Ted Goossen ministering.
Selma Rempel
Selma Rempel died May 5 in Swift Current, Sask. She was born in Rush Lake, Sask. July 8, 1913 to John and Susanna Wall. She had a happy childhood. She accepted Christ as a young girl and remained faithful throughout her life. She married Dick Rempel Apr. 3, 1938. They farmed in the Rhineland, Sask. and Swift Current areas. Dick died suddenly in 1963. She was a person of few words. She enjoyed having her family together. She appreciated her church family at Bridgeway Community Church. She had several strokes but carried on without complaint. She kept her mind active by reading, crocheting and watching TV. She liked to play games. Predeceased by Dick, and 1 brother, she is mourned by children Vic; Gladys McKinlay; Luella Rempel; Darlene Coram; 2 grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was May 9 in Bridgeway Community Church with Chad Neustaeter ministering.
Peter B. Dyck 
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Peter B. Dyck died Apr. 12. He was born Mar.8, 1917 to Jacob and Bertha Dyck in the Zion District, near Winkler, Man. The following year the family moved to the Burwalde District. During his teens he acknowledged Christ as Saviour, was baptized and joined Winkler MB Church. He attended Winkler Bible School, then took a course in horticulture. He was a conscientious objector during World War II, serving in Clear Lake, Man. and on Vancouver Island. He married Mary Klassen Sept. 4, 1948. They farmed, using innovative techniques to grow strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and cereal grains, as well as orchard fruit. Livestock, particularly pigs, were the primary enterprise. He worked hard, but also took time for coffee with family and friends, as well as a round of golf when possible. He enjoyed providing treats for his family and broadened their horizons by season tickets to travelogues. He was involved in Vegetable Growers Association, Stanley Agricultural Society, Winkler Bible Camp and the church food committee. He was a regular Red Cross blood donor. During retirement he spent time golfing and travelling throughout the US and Canada. He enjoyed photography, listening to classical music and watching Red Skelton videos and baseball. He supported his children and grandchildren in their various activities. He was predeceased by infant son Ralph, 1 brother and 2 sisters, and is mourned by Mary; daughters Rosalie Gascho and Elaine Wiens; son Barry; 5 grandchildren; 3 sisters; 1 brother. The funeral was April 15 in Winkler MB Church with Abe Hiebert and Gary Loewen ministering.
Olga Friesen 
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Olga Marie Muller Friesen died Apr. 20 in Winnipeg. She was born Feb. 21, 1935 in Chilliwack, B.C. to Henry and Olga Muller. She had a keen interest in music, learning to play piano and earning her ARCT in 1956. She graduated from MEI in 1954. She married Frank Friesen July 8, 1956. They moved to Morden, Man. She continued her studies, culminating in a B.Mus. and a B.Ed. She accompanied many choirs and groups, taught piano, taught music in schools, and founded and led the “The Singing Carilons” (a handbell choir). She was director/organist of several church choirs and was a respected adjudicator. Her desire was to glorify the Lord through her musical talents. A hobby was oil painting. She owned Omi’s Pantry, a gourmet Mennonite restaurant, and a number of Laundromats. She gave unselfishly of herself to her children and grandchildren. She struggled with cancer the last five years but maintained a positive attitude. She is mourned by sons Ken of Calgary and Ryan of Abbotsford, B.C.; daughter Lynne McGregor of Russell, Man; 5 grandchildren; 2 brothers; 6 sisters. The memorial service was Apr. 26 in Calvary Temple, Winnipeg.
John Harder 
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John Harder died Apr. 7. He was born Sept. 13, 1907 to Johann and Margareta Harder in Molotschna, Ukraine. He had a wonderful childhood but the Revolution left memories of devastation, war and famine. He found peace with Jesus at age 16, trusting in 1 Peter 1:18–19. The family immigrated to Hepburn, Sask. in 1926. He married Bertha Friesen June 19, 1932. Bertha died Dec. 25, 1936. He married Lydia Niessen June 18, 1939. They moved to Coaldale, Alta., and then to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1944. They built up a farm raising raspberries, strawberries and chickens and running a dairy. His faith and the church were very important. The family read the Bible and prayed together regularly. Each of the children attended MEI and Bible school. They were members of South Abbotsford MB Church, later becoming part of Central Heights Church, and in 1959 Clearbrook MB Church. John served as deacon until his 80th year. They visited the sick, drove people to clinics, encouraged, prayed and helped wherever possible. They sold their farm in 1968 and moved to Clearbook. John worked at Woodlawn Funeral Home. They travelled around the world a number of times. He was lonesome after Lydia died, but continued to be interested in daily news, philosophy, theology and missions. He visited missionaries, prayed for them and supported them. After breaking his hip he moved to Tabor Home in 2001. He spent time reading his Bible and praying. He is mourned by his children Betty Esau, Martha Peters, Ruth Friesen, Harold, Lydia Boldt, Esther Busink; 33 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 12 in Clearbook MB Church with Art Isaac and Evert Busink ministering.
Henry Van Bergen 
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Henry H. Van Bergen died May 17. He was born Sept. 29, 1912 to Henry and Minna Van Bergen in Alt Samara, Alexanderthal, Russia. In 1924, the family emigrated to Canada, settling in St. Annes, Man., then Steinbach, Man. The family moved to Gem, Alta. in 1928. Henry made a commitment to Christ in 1930 as a result of evening Bible studies. He was baptized July 1931 by Henry Siemens, Sr. The family moved to Black Creek, B.C. in 1934. He became a charter member of Black Creek MB Church in 1935. For 30 years he ushered, sang in choirs and served in other ways. He married Irene Matthies Aug. 28, 1938. They worked on two farms. Henry was a carpenter. He was creative, industrious and artistic. He enjoyed his gardens and flowers. Henry and Irene moved to Evergreen Village, Clearbrook, in 1983. He was active socially, enjoying friendships in church and the community. His faith in God and his commitment to the church were very important to him. He served with cheerfulness and dedication. He is mourned by Irene; daughter Ellenor Tweedle, Campbell River, B.C.; sons Ed of Langley, B.C. and Herb of Fort St. John, B.C.; 7 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters. The funeral was May 22 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. with Henry Thiessen ministering.
Jessie Neufeld
Jessie Neufeld died Apr. 17. She was born May 29, 1913 to Peter and Helena Dueck in Russia. The family immigrated to Oak Bluff, Man. in 1926. She married Peter Neufeld of Grassy Lake, Alta. In 1960 they moved to Fort St. John, B.C. Peter died in 1973. Jessie moved to Abbotsford and worked at Columbia Bible College. She was a tireless worker and a warm, loving, kind person with a smile for everyone. She was a wonderful mother. She loved gardening and handwork. Predeceased by Peter, 1 grandchild, 4 sisters and 2 brothers, she is mourned by daughters Marilyn Pilat of Grande Prairie, Alta. and Connie Funk of Arcola, Sask; son Richard of Fort St. John; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 23 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Heinz Ratzlaff, Walter Wiens and Eldon DeFehr ministering.
Elizabeth Niessen 
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Elizabeth (Martens) Niessen of Abbotsford, B.C. died May 20 in Vanderhoof , B.C. She was born July 31, 1906 in Warman, Sask. She was unable to go to school because she had to work to support the family. She married Peter Niessen Mar. 18, 1927 in Aberdeen, Sask. In 1935 they moved to the Fraser Valley of B.C. They lived and farmed in the Clearbrook area and were members of Clearbrook MB Church. Elizabeth was a hard worker and a fastidious housekeeper. After Peter died she lived in a condominium in Clearbrook. In her early 90s she moved to Kamloops at granddaughter Lois’s invitation. She walked up to two miles a day. She loved her grandchildren. She enjoyed the little things. Her steadfast faith in God helped her endure disappointments and hardships. She is mourned by daughter Verna Hammond; sons Clifford and Lawrence; 12 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; 1 brother; 1 sister. The funeral was May 14 in Clearbrook MB Church with Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.
Henry H. Neufeld 
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Henry (Heinrich) H. Neufeld of Abbotsford, B.C. died Apr. 23. He was born in Myrtle, Man. on Feb. 12, 1905 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Neufeld. The family moved to Reinfeld, Man. in 1909. The village language was Low German and the school textbook was the Bible. At 12, Henry used a dictionary and newspapers to learn English. He helped his father on the farm, driving a team of horses at 10 and progressing to a four-horse team at 12 or 13. The family’s social life was built around the community and the Old Colony Mennonite Church in Chortitz. Henry loved playing billiards and baseball. He married Maria Nikkel in 1931. They farmed and started a General Store in Reinfeld in 1933. Maria died of rheumatic fever in 1943. He married Mary Krahn of Swift Current in 1946. They sold the Reinfeld property and moved to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1954. Henry worked at a variety of jobs and businesses as well as farming. He retired in 1977. Mary died Oct. 13, 2000 and Henry moved to Menno Intermediate Care facility. Predeceased by Maria and Mary, and daughter Mary in 2001, he is mourned by Jacob, Heinrich, Johan, Anna, Warren and Susanna. The funeral was Apr. 29 in Clearbrook MB Church with Heinz Ratzlaff and Walter Wiens ministering.
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