Deaths

In this section:

Nettie Dyck Henry Giesbrecht Sr. Joanna Vanderburgh Johann Wiebe Cecile Ladouceur John Heidebrecht Hilda A. Stewart Rubyann Rempel Olga Neumann Nettie Loewen Albert H. Goertz Frank Froese Tina Sawatzky Helen Loewen Susanne Bassendowske

Nettie Dyck

Nettie Dyck died May 10. She was born Oct. 31, 1913 in Horndean, Man. She received Christ into her life Sept. 27, 1931 and was baptized. She married Jake Dyck Oct. 29, 1933. They were members of Grossweide MB Church, Horndean, later joining Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg. She maintained her faith in spite of difficulties, including caring for a severely handicapped child. She loved God’s Word and memorized much Scripture. She loved the church and was active in the Willing Helpers. She liked to crochet, garden and host friends and family. Predeceased by husband Jake in 1995, daughter Joanne, twin girls, sons Jake and Wilmer, 2 grandchildren, 3 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by daughter Verna McDonald, Winnipeg; 8 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters. The funeral was May 14 in Elmwood MB Church with Alvin Enns ministering.

Henry Giesbrecht Sr.

Henry Giesbrecht Sr. died Sept. 18. He was born Sept. 18, 1912 to Johann and Katharina Giesbrecht in Michaelsburg, Russia. He worked on his grandfather’s farm, and trained in tractor and combine repairs. He became supervisor of a tractor/ combine crew on a collective farm. His father was sent to a labour camp. He married Mary Derksen Dec. 4, 1934. The family fled to Poland in 1943. He was conscripted into the German army, captured by the Russians and sent to a POW camp in France. The family was reunited in Germany. In 1948 they immigrated to Sardis, B.C., later moving to Clearbrook. He worked as an auto mechanic. New Year’s Eve 1950 he and Mary accepted Christ. They were baptized the following year, joining Clearbrook MB Church. He worked at his son’s service station, retiring in 1977. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, travelling and work at the church. He worked in the repair section of the MCC store. Mary died in Jan. 2004. He was sustained by his strong faith in God. Predeceased by Mary, he is mourned by sons Henry and Helmut; daughters Zena (Joy) Locken and Mary; 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers. The funeral was Sept. 22 in Clearbrook MB Church with Eldon DeFehr and Jay Neufeld ministering.

Joanna Vanderburgh

Joanna Vanderburgh died Oct. 5. She was born July 21, 1926 to Rudolph and Paulina Hildebrandt. They immigrated to Canada, living in Chesley, Ont., later Kitchener, Ont. and then St. Catharines. She worked in various businesses in the area. She married Del Vanderburgh in 1959. She suffered from eye and back problems. They were baptized, joining Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines in 1972. She enjoyed family vacations on Bruce Peninsula and volunteer work. She suffered a stroke and in 1997 they moved into Tabor Apartments. She went into hospital Sept. 17. She made peace with those she loved. She is survived by Del; son Warren; daughters Patty Wiens and Bonnie Ditmyer; 8 grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 8 in Fairview MB Church with Waldo Pauls ministering.

Johann Wiebe

Johann Wiebe died Sept. 18. He was born Aug. 22, 1907 in Adelsheim, Ukraine. At 18 he found peace in Jesus. He was baptized and joined the MB Church. He married Helena Janzen in Mar. 1929. In 1943 they fled to Poland. They were given German citizenship and he was conscripted into the German army. In Oct. 1948 they immigrated to Kelowna, B.C. They farmed. In Dec. 1988 they moved to Tabor Manor Apartments in St. Catharines. Predeceased by son Fred in 2000, he is mourned by Helena, daughters Anni and Helen; sons John and Jake; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was in Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, with John Block and Heinrich Wiebe ministering.

Cecile Ladouceur

Cecile Ladouceur died Oct. 4. She was born Dec. 15, 1917 in St. Matthew, Que. At 14 she moved to Noranda, Que., working in homes and a restaurant. She sang on a Baptist radio program. At 39 she accepted Jesus as Saviour and was baptized. Her aim in life was to tell others of Jesus’ love, helping others, preaching and housing homeless young people. She ran a boarding home in Thompson, Man., was a housekeeper in a home for Catholic Brothers, set up a camp for children and youth in Noranda, worked as a porter on a Great Lakes boat and canoed the Harricanaw River. She raised two motherless children. After retiring, she moved to St. Catharines, joining first Fairview MB Church and then Scott St. MB Church. She had a heart for young people. After a serious accident, she took up knitting, making hundreds of hats, mitts, scarves and slippers, which she sent to needy people. She is mourned by son Maurice Marceau and daughter Denyse Murray, grandchildren; great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 6 in Scott St. MB Church with Pat Bartley ministering.

John Heidebrecht

John Heidebrecht died Sept. 13. He was born June 15, 1923 in Waldeck, Ukraine, to Johann and Maria Heidebrecht. They immigrated to Winnipeg in 1927 and in 1934 moved to St. Catharines. He was baptized and joined Scott St. MB Church. He loved singing and played the French horn at the Banff School of Fine Arts symphony orchestra. He was a ham radio operator and contacted church members’ families during crises. During WWII he was a conscientious objector, building the Trans-Canada Highway. After the war he worked with Heifer Project International. He had a painting business and Heidebrecht Recording Service. He married Susie Durksen in 1968. He is mourned by Susie; sons John and Kevin; 3 grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 17 in Scott St. MB Church with Pat Bartley ministering.

Hilda A. Stewart

Hilda A. Stewart died Sept. 27. She was born Aug. 26, 1931 in Kindersley, Sask., to Henry and Anna Walde. She grew up in Chilliwack, B.C. She lived for the Lord. She was baptized in the Alliance Church, Vancouver and was active in the Baptist Church. She loved Psalm 121. She married Hector Stewart July 1954. He died in 1980. Predeceased by Hector, she is mourned by children Colleen Stewart, Debra Moffatt, Hugh Stewart, Tara-Lee Brook, Stacy Stewart; grandchildren; 5 sisters; 2 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 1 in Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church, Vernon, B.C. with David Fairbrother ministering.

Rubyann Rempel

Rubyann Rempel died Sept. 8. She was born Oct. 7, 1934 in Waldheim, Sask. to John and Mary Kroeker. She became a Christian at 9, based on John 3:16. The family moved to Abbotsford in 1947. She was baptized at 16, joining Central Heights MB Church. She married Al Massier in 1958. They lived in Vancouver, moving to Abbotsford in 1964. She loved cooking, baking, sewing and gardening. Al died in 2002. She married Peter Rempel in Jan. 2004. He died July 30. Predeceased by Al and Peter, she is mourned by sons Larry, Russell, Robert; daughter Sherry Rempel; Peter’s children Sandra Graham and Darrell; 2 brothers. The funeral was Sept. 14 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, with Chris Douglas and Michael Dick ministering.

Olga Neumann

Olga Neumann died Sept. 17. She was born Oct. 31, 1913 to Henry and Minna van Bergen in Alexanderthal, Russia. The family immigrated to Steinbach, Man. in 1924. She received Christ as her Saviour as a teen. In 1928 they moved to Gem, Alta. She was baptized. She attended Bible school and worked as a live-in nanny. In 1936 she married Jake Neumann. They settled in the Fraser Valley, living in Vancouver, then retiring to Abbotsford. They were members of Bakerview MB Church. She volunteered at MCC and the Clearbrook Community Centre. Predeceased by Jake in 1991, daughter Lorna in 1950 and son Harold in 1996, she is mourned by daughter Evelyn Baerg, Langley; 4 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 24 in Bakerview MB Church with Michael Dick and Wilmer Kornelsen ministering.

Nettie Loewen

Nettie Loewen died Oct. 3. She was born Sept. 17, 1909 to Aaron and Anna Goosen in Marion, SD. The family moved to Main Centre, Sask. when she was 5. She committed her life to Christ in 1928, under the ministry of Henry Wiebe. She was baptized and joined Main Centre MB Church. She attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School. She married Ed Loewen Aug. 2, 1936 in Foam Lake, Sask. They farmed south of Ernfold, Sask., moving to Swift Current, Sask. in 1974. She enjoyed cooking and hosting visiting missionaries, ministers and other guests. She cooked for many local schoolteachers. They served as deacons. She was involved in church, particularly Ladies Fellowship. She loved gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, particularly glads and dahlias. She was accomplished in sewing, tatting, quilting and crocheting. She was concerned about the spiritual welfare of her children, praying for them and others when she couldn’t sleep. Predeceased by Ed, she is mourned by daughters Iona Wiebe, Ginny Voth, Ruth Friesen; son Ted Loewen; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 7 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Cliff Janzen ministering.

Albert H. Goertz

Albert H. Goertz died Sept. 15. He was born May 29, 1927 to Henry and Aganetha Goertz in Wembley, Alta. The family moved to New Westminister, B.C. in 1943. He taught for 36 years, mostly in the Okanagan Valley. He married Rosella Neufeld in 1954. He committed his life to the Lord as a young boy, serving in many leadership positions in the church. After retiring he spent a year in Ivory Coast teaching missionary children. He enjoyed sports and was an avid gardener. He is mourned by Rosella, sons Vic, Ron, Brad; daughters Bev Wall, Sharon Goertz, Lorinda Esau; 6 grandchildren; brothers and sisters.

Frank Froese

Frank Froese died Sept. 12. He was born Jan. 1, 1927 in Manitou, Man. He married Elsie. He taught and was principal in Winnipeg for 30 years. In 1988 they moved to Abbotsford. He had faith in God and believed in prayer. He was active in church ministries and reached out to people in need. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren, and gardening. He was predeceased by 3 sisters, 5 brothers and is mourned by Elsie, daughter Carolyn Koop, Outlook, Sask.; sons Howard, Perth, Australia; Robert, Calgary; Kenneth, Coaldale, Alta; 11 grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was in Northview Community Church, Abbotsford.

Tina Sawatzky

Tina Sawatzky died Sept. 13. She was born Jan. 15, 1914 in Gnadental, Baratov, South Russia to Philip and Anna Wiebe. Her parents died when she was young. She was cared for by Grandmother Wiebe, and later her sister Anna Schellenberg. They immigrated to Canada in 1923. She accepted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized in 1934, joining Gnadenthal (Man.) MB Church. She married Jacob J. Sawatzky, a trucker and a farmer in Winkler, Sept. 22, 1935. They moved to Clearbrook in 1956, establishing a raspberry farm. She had a positive outlook on life and had as a motto, “What I cannot change, I will accept with patience.” A special Scripture was Psalm 103:1–2. In retirement she enjoyed crocheting and playing table games. They travelled to Europe, Africa, Israel and China. Predeceased by Jacob in 2002, 3 sisters, 3 brothers, she is mourned by daughters Herta Thiessen, Erica Suderman, Alice Willms, Hedy Hein, Ingrid Suderman; sons Helmut, John, Carl; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 17 in Bakerview Church, Abbotsford, with Michael Dick and Ray Harris ministering.

Helen Loewen

Helen Loewen died Sept. 20. She was born Mar. 16, 1914 in Felsenbach, Ukraine to John and Helen Penner. Predeceased by 2 sisters, 2 brothers, she is mourned by daughter Helen; 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 23 in Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man. with Dave Ens ministering.

Susanne Bassendowske

Susanne Bassendowske died July 21. She was born Dec. 15, 1904 in Kullig, West Prussia to Alexander and Anna Neubauer. The family immigrated to Herbert, Sask. in 1908. She married Jacob Bassendowske Jan. 9, 1925. They were baptized Aug. 14, 1938, joining Elim MB Church, Kelstern, Sask., later transferring to Herbert MB Church. She enjoyed handiwork, making items for the farmer’s market and crocheting afghans for the hospital. She moved into Prairie View Lodge in Swift Current in Dec. 1995, then to Herbert Heritage Manor and Herbert Nursing Home. Predeceased by Jacob, son Victor, 2 sisters, 2 brothers, 1 granddaughter, she is mourned by sons Ethan, Regina; Harry, Swift Current; 1 brother; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 26 in Herbert MB Church with Bob Cappelle ministering.