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In this section:
Anne Dueck 
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Anne Dueck died Dec. 13. She was born Jan. 5, 1923 in Orenburg, Russia to Peter and Anna Dueck. The family immigrated to Coaldale, Alta. in 1926. Anne accepted Christ as her Saviour at 12 and was baptized, joining Coaldale MB Church. Her desire to follow Jesus never waned. She graduated from Coaldale Bible School. She was active in VBS and Sunday school, leading children’s singing for 18 years. She worked as a nursing aide in Coaldale Hospital, then studied at University of Alberta, receiving her Bachelor of Education degree. She taught school in Coaldale until her retirement in 1993. She loved travelling, including a study tour of Israel with Wheaton College in 1972, and working in St. Lucia with World Team Missions in 1975. She did everything with deep commitment and diligence. She loved her extended family, praying fervently for them. Predeceased by sisters Margaret, Agnes and Mary, she is mourned by sister Susie; brothers Peter, Henry and Jack; nieces and nephews. The funeral was Dec. 18 in Coaldale MB Church with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Nicholas B. Enns
Nicholas B. Enns died July 29. He was born Sept. 19, 1911 to Klaas and Katharina Enns in Danilowka, Ukraine. The family emigrated to Coaldale, Alta., moving to Sumas Prairie, B.C. in 1935. He married Tina Schmidt Apr. 19, 1936. They lived in Vancouver. In 1946 they moved to Abbotsford where they operated a variety store, later opening another one in Aldergrove. They loved to travel and Nicholas particularly enjoyed fishing. He is mourned by Tina; daughters Elsie Stewart of Squamish, B.C. and Marlene Callaghan of Abbotsford; sons Irvin of Williams Lake, B.C. and Jim of Kelowna, B.C.; 12 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers; 2 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 5 in Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, with William Schmidt and Dave Stewart ministering.
Samuel Megli
Samuel Megli died Dec. 8. He was born to Lewis and Ida Megli Feb. 24, 1923 near Linden, Alta. At 16, he quit school to help on the farm. He accepted the Lord as Saviour as a teenager, and in 1945 began studies at Mountain View Bible School, Didsbury, Alta. He married Helen Klassen in 1951. They farmed in the Linden community. He was on the church board and served as moderator for 11 years. He was on the board of Three Hills (Alta.) Hospital, helping plan the building, and served as mayor of Linden for 3 years. Helen died suddenly in January 1981. He married Daisy Martens of Abbotsford in August 1982. They moved to Abbotsford in 1989, joining Bakerview MB Church. They spent 2 terms in Lithuania Christian College in Klaipeda in 1995 where he taught English classes. Predeceased by Helen and 2 children, he is mourned by Daisy; son Brian of Deep River, Ont.; daughters Katharina Megli Wills of Cambridge, England and Luci Richard of Calgary; 5 grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 12 in Bakerview MB Church with Ray Harris and Wilmer Kornelson ministering. A memorial service was held in Linden Dec. 13.
Simeon Luke Wiebe
Simeon Luke Wiebe of Thunder Bay, Ont. was born Nov. 18, 2004 to Scott and Angela Wiebe and died Nov. 28 due to a genetic disorder, Restrictive Dermopathy. His short life affected many lives and has brought glory to God. He is mourned by Scott and Angela; grandparents Larry and Karen Wiebe, Port Rowan, Ont. and Wayne and Eleanor Barron, Emo, Ont.; 3 aunts; 4 uncles; great-grandparents. The funeral was Dec. 4 at Lakehead University Chapel, Thunder Bay with Chris Pacholzak ministering. A memorial service was held in Port Rowan MB Church Dec. 19.
Lydia Reimer 
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Lydia Reimer died Oct. 5. She was born Jan. 4, 1927 to Aaron and Maria Pauls in Plum Coulee, Man. In 1938 the family moved to a farm in Port Rowan, Ont. She accepted Christ at 12 and was baptized in 1944. She attended Eden Bible School 1945–46, then married Jake Reimer. She led ladies’ groups, supported Jake in home Bible studies and showed love and compassion to hurting people. In 1969 she and Jake joined Gideons, finding joy in giving New Testaments to Grade 5 students. She helped start Ladies’ Coffee Hour to reach into the community and often interpreted for Children’s Aid, Women’s Shelter and in Provincial Court. She was involved in ministry to Mexican Mennonites. She supported Jake in starting a new ministry in the Port Burwell, Ont. area and in Port Rowan Community Church. Her main concern was for her husband and the spiritual welfare of her children. She taught her children to sing at a young age, taking them to sing for seniors. She read her Bible and prayed much for her family. Predeceased by daughter Ruthann, she is mourned by Jake; sons David, Port Rowan; Richard, Boissevain, Man.; Gordon, Port Rowan; Lawrence, Fenwick, Ont.; daughters Lois MacKenzie, Brampton, Ont. and Valerie, Virgil, Ont.; 25 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 6 sisters; 1 brother. The funeral was Oct. 8 in Port Rowan MB Church.
Mary Klassen
Mary Klassen died Oct. 2. She was born Feb. 11, 1923 in Herbert, Sask. to Johan P. and Maria Koslowsky. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1925. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour and was baptized, joining North End MB Church, Winnipeg in 1942. She married Peter Klassen May 26, 1945. The family moved to B.C. in 1948. She loved to sing, serving in church choirs in Winnipeg and the Fraser Valley, and later in groups at seniors’ homes. In 1987 they moved back to Winnipeg. Predeceased by 1 sister and 1 brother, she is mourned by Peter, daughters Carole Toews, Pat Penner, Debbie Klassen, Sandy Morgan; 6 grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 8 in Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Claude Pratte ministering.
Mary (Mariechen) Klassen 
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Mary Klassen died Nov. 24. She was born May 30, 1927 to Peter and Suzanna Penner in Konteniusfeld, Molotschna, Ukraine. She was a spirited girl and loved riding horses bareback. Her father was arrested when she was 11. Faced with a seemingly impossible task, her mother said she would pray for her. Mary also did this for the rest of her life. The family fled Ukraine with the retreating German army. They were separated but reunited in Germany with the help of MCC. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour and was baptized July 7, 1946. She married Peter Klassen in Gronau, Germany, Feb. 8, 1948. They immigrated to Paraguay. Their first child died at 5 months. Peter attended Elim Bible School in Fernheim. Mary demonstrated great courage and strength in those years of pioneering in a hostile environment. In 1953 they immigrated to Canada, settling in Black Creek, B.C. Peter served as pastor and worked as a logger. In 1959 they moved to Abbotsford, where Peter studied at MBBI (now CBC). The family moved to Coaldale, Alta., then to Kitchener, Ont., then to Abbotsford. In Ontario she did shift work and looked after the family. Her gifts led her to minister behind the scenes. She enjoyed family get-togethers and trips to Germany, and supported Peter on his mission trips with Disciple Making International. Predeceased by Peter in August, and a daughter Elfrieda in infancy, she is mourned by Elizabeth, Henry, Albert, Wally and Ruth Ann. The funeral was Nov. 29 in Clearbrook MB Church with Heinz Ratzlaff, Walter Wiens and Peter Penner ministering.
Joe Ottom
Joe Ottom died Nov. 29. He was born Oct. 30, 1924 to Frank and Annie Achtimizchuk in Mozart, Sask. At 16 he moved to Vancouver, where he worked in a shipyard. Later he worked at various logging camps. In 1959 he bought a taxicab in Vancouver. Through a visit from a logger friend, Joe accepted Jesus as his Saviour Apr. 20, 1959. This created a passion in his heart and his lifestyle changed. He served the Lord with joy. He married Helen Rempel May 27, 1961. He is mourned by Helen; daughters Gail Suderman, MaryAnn Katzberg; sons John and Michael; 8 grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 3 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford with Heinz Ratzlaff and Walter Wiens ministering.
John P. Kehler
John P. Kehler died Dec. 13. He was born Sept. 11, 1929 in Schoenfeld, Sask. to Philip and Aganetha Kehler. He helped his father on the farm. He married Helen Friesen Oct. 8, 1950 and was baptized in 1951, joining Schoenfeld Conference Church. They farmed close to Wymark, Sask. In 1965 they moved to Swift Current, Sask. He was a successful farmer and astute businessman despite limited education, keeping his equipment up-to-date and investing wisely. He retired in 1995. He enjoyed travelling and was an avid sports fan but family was always priority. He was committed to family get-togethers. Predeceased by 3 brothers and 3 sisters, he is mourned by Helen; daughters Norma Olfert, Edmonton; Sharon Thiessen, Kandern, Germany; Janice Johnson, Red Deer, Alta.; son Allan, Calgary; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 18 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Cliff Janzen ministering.
Elizabeth Bergen 
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Elizabeth Bergen died Nov. 6. She was born May 29, 1920 in Greenfarm, Sask. to Johann and Justina Schultz. She graduated from Herbert (Sask.) Bible School. She had a kind and giving heart and looked after her parents. She worked in the kitchen at MB Bible College, Winnipeg and in a nursing home in Herbert. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour as a young girl. She was baptized and joined Greenfarm MB Church in 1940. She loved the Lord and read her Bible faithfully. She was a prayer warrior, with family friends and missionaries on her prayer list. Her favourite Scripture was Isaiah 53:5–6. She married Isaac D. Bergen of Saskatoon May 8, 1968, becoming a mother and grandmother to his family. She remembered the birthdays of the children and grandchildren on her devotional calendar. Predeceased by Isaac, 3 sisters and 3 brothers, she is mourned by children Annie Boldt, Lena Friesen, Dave, Henry, John, Ike, Ben, Kaye Oates and Aggie Dyck; 33 grandchildren, great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 12 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Heinz Ratzlaff, Walter Wiens and James Bergen ministering.
Susie Unger 
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Susie Unger died Dec. 14. She was born Aug. 5, 1910 to John and Maria Braun in Gruenfeld, Russia. In 1926 the family immigrated to Greenland, Man. She worked in Winnipeg as a housekeeper, learning English on her days off. She married Henry Rempel in 1937, settling in Vineland, Ont. and attending Vineland MB Church. In 1947 they moved to St. Catharines, attending Scott St. MB Church. Henry died in 1959 and daughter Mary 10 years later. Her faith and trust in God saw her through difficult times. She married Nick Unger from Port Rowan in 1972. They farmed in Port Rowan, later moving to St. Catharines and eventually in Tabor Manor. They cared for each other, enjoyed fellowship with others and visited their families. Nick died July 27, 1994 and her daughter JT 2 months later at 58. She kept busy knitting sweaters and slippers and other handwork, helping in the activity room at Tabor, keeping up correspondence with the family and praying for them. Predeceased by husbands Henry and Nick, daughters Mary and JT, she is mourned by stepchildren Elsie Willms, Martha Heseltine, Lothar Olfert, Wilbert Unger, Wilma Hildebrand; 4 grandchildren; 17 step-grandchildren; 27 step-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters; 2 brothers. The funeral was held in Scott St. MB Church, with Pat Bartley ministering.
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