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In this section:
Martha Funk 
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Martha Funk died Feb. 4. She was born June 29, 1913 in Ekatrinovka, Slavgorod, Siberia to Nickolai and Margarete Janzen. Her father died of typhoid fever in 1918. Her mother married Kornelius Heinrichs. Because there was no teacher in their village they moved to Karatal. Those were hard years. Martha received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour at 14 and was baptized, joining Grieschowka MB Church. They attempted to emigrate from U.S.S.R., but were not permitted. During World War II they moved to southern Russia and then to Germany with the army. She and her sister took along from the Communist orphanage 2 children whose family was placed in a concentration camp. In 1948 she and her sister Maria immigrated to Winnipeg. Martha married Frank Funk May 4, 1952. They lived in Yarrow, B.C. for 15 years, then moved to Abbotsford, joining Clearbrook MB Church. Frank died in 1987. Predeceased by Frank, she is mourned by sons Helmut and Jacob; stepchildren Helena Funk, Frank, Susie Friesen and Anna Braun. The funeral was Feb. 9 in Clearbrook MB Church with Walter Wiens and Art Isaac ministering.
Maria Loepp 
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Maria Loepp died Mar. 6. She was born Feb. 13, 1900 in Sagradowka, Ukraine to Frank and Katharina Martens. At 13 she was in charge of the household while her mother and sister searched for medical therapy. At 17 she accepted the Lord and was baptized. The family immigrated to Saskatchewan in July 1924. She married Johann Klassen, a widower, in 1928. They farmed in Blumenort, Sask., taught Sunday school and hosted family and missionaries, until they moved to Matsqui, B.C. in 1947. They were active in Matsqui MB Church. Johann died in 1960. Maria sold the farm and moved to Clearbrook, B.C. She took in Bible school students, and for 6 years, Helene Giesbrecht, who was blind, lived with her. Maria read to her for an hour every day. She married Jacob Loepp in 1972. He died in 1991 and she moved to Menno Home, Abbotsford. She made new friends and enjoyed visitors. She cherished the church bulletins, cassette tapes and the newsletter. She read avidly and sent letters, cards and poems to encourage friends and family. She continued to memorize Scripture past the age of 100. Predeceased by Johann and Jacob, daughter Tena Teichrob; sons John Klassen and Frank Klassen; 2 great-grandsons, she is mourned by daughters Mary Wiens, Hilda Born, Lore Reemeyer; stepsons Jake Loepp and Henry Loepp. The funeral was Mar. 12 in Clearbrook MB Church with Heinz Ratzlaff and Walter Wiens ministering.
Mary Klassen
Mary Klassen died Oct. 17. She was born Mar. 2, 1912 in Schoenwiese, Slavgorod, Siberia to Heinrich M. and Justina Janzen. She accepted Christ as her Saviour at 11 and in 1927 was baptized in the Gnadenheim MB Church. The family immigrated to Coaldale, Alta in 1929, moving to North Kildonan, Winnipeg in 1931. She married Cornelius Klassen May 7, 1933. She had a tremendous faith and trust in God. She loved singing and music was always present in the home. Predeceased by Cornelius in 1991, she is mourned by sons John, Neil, Henry, Herbert, Jake and Richard; daughter Tilly Hamm; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 22 in North Kildonan MB Church with George Klassen and Roland Marsch ministering.
Elizabeth Harder 
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Elizabeth Harder died Feb. 25. She was born Mar. 24, 1906 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Wall in Orloff, Sagradowka, southern Russia. In November 1919 the Machno bandits killed her father and grandfather. Elizabeth accepted Jesus as her Saviour and was baptized at an early age. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Winnipeg where she worked as a maid. Relatives invited them to move to Gilroy. She married John Harder Nov. 13, 1929. They moved to Glenbush, Sask. In 1967 they sold the farm and moved to Saskatoon. She enjoyed gardening and quilting. John died in 1982. In 2002 she moved in with daughter Martha and in March 2004 she moved to a care facility in Spiritwood, Sask. Predeceased by John, daughter Edith White; 3 grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother, she is mourned by daughters Martha Boldt, Betty Smith, Lorena Kehler, Agnes Olfert; sons Ben, Walter, Jake; 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; 4 brothers. The funeral was Mar. 4 in Dalmeny (Sask.) Funeral Chapel with John D. Klassen ministering.
Terrence Lamont Walters
Terry Walters died Feb. 18 in California. He was born Dec. 7, 1943 to Cornelius and Irene Walters in St. John’s, Nfld. Spending time with believers taught Terry about Christianity. He accepted Christ and was baptized in 1978. He spoke little, but when he spoke there was depth and wisdom. He gave of himself for others. While travelling he would pray for the needs of his family. He spoke of his faith, but mostly lived what he believed. He loved to have fun and make people laugh with his antics. He loved nature and hiking. He was a journeyman lineman; many young linemen apprenticed under him. He is mourned by his wife Lorraine; daughters Cheryl Hanks, Marion Lee, Christa, Victoria, Katrina and Olivia; son Braden; 4 grandchildren; 4 brothers; 2 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 26 in Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church with Ike Bergen ministering.
Helene Contant
Helene Contant died Jan. 24. She was born Dec. 13, 1960 in Shebrooke, Que. She studied at Laval University and at UBC. She married Don Quiring of Vancouver in Oct. 1985. They settled in Chilliwack. Both were employed by Agriculture Canada Research Station in Agassiz, B.C. She was baptized in 1989, and was a member of Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack. She was involved in many activities and ministries, taking a genuine interest in people. She helped sponsor 2 refugee families. Her steady faith and trust in God’s purposes inspired family and friends. She is mourned by Don, daughter Sylvie, her parents, a brother and a sister. The funeral was Jan. 29 in Broadway Church with Wilf Richert and Gary Simpson ministering.
Frieda Dueckman
Frieda Dueckman died Jan. 11 at age 80. Predeceased by 1 brother and 1 sister, she is mourned by husband Rudy; sons Leonard and Loris of Maple Ridge, B.C., daughter Cheryl Kortleve-Snider of Beamsville, Ont. and Lee Ann Ferguson of Windsor; 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildre; 1 sister; 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 15 in Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church.
Erna Peters
Erna Peters died Oct. 28. She was born Jan. 24, 1913 in Halbstadt, Russia. At age 11, she came to Canada with part of her family. She sewed blankets for MCC and Barbie doll clothes for the MCC Thrift Shop. She also made kitchen towels, the proceeds of which were donated to a girls’ orphanage in China. She enjoyed telling stories about her life. The funeral was Nov. 3 in Kelowna, B.C.
Sara Kitzmann
Sara Kitzmann died Feb. 26. She was born Sept. 4, 1926 in Eigengrund (Altona), Man. to Cornelius and Margarete Sawatzky. She accepted Jesus after a revival meeting and was baptized in Aug. 1952 by John J. Neufeld in Grossweide MB Church. She attended Bible school. In 1955 the family moved to Abbotsford to purchase South Poplar General Grocery Store. She joined South Abbotsford MB Church. She sang in the choir and worked in the library. After the store was sold she did many jobs for which her education did not qualify her but for which she had integrity and a willingness to learn. She even helped her dad build houses. In 1966 she became a charter member of King Road MB Church, Abbotsford. She cared for her parents until their deaths. On June 4, 1999 she married Edgar Kitzmann. Predeceased by 1 sister and 2 nieces, she is mourned by Edgar; stepdaughter Annelee Kitzmann; stepson Harry; 3 grandchildren; 1 brother; 1 sister.
Irene Goertzen 
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Irene Goertzen died Feb. 24. She was born June 19, 1929 to Kornelius and Elizabeth Kroeker and grew up near Elm Creek, Man. She was baptized and became a member of Elm Creek MB Church. She learned accounting and worked at People’s Credit Jewellers. She married George Goertzen in June 1954. They lived in the Manitoba communities of Homewood, Winnipeg, Boissevain, Oak Bluff, retiring in Carman. She made wonderful, lasting friendships. She was active in Pioneer Girls, Sunday school and Christian Women’s Club. She was a seamstress and enjoyed making wedding gowns. She was committed to living for Jesus and is remembered for her faithfulness and loyalty to family and God. She made others comfortable. George died in 2002 and she moved to Boyne Lodge, Carman. Predeceased by George and 1 brother, she is mourned by daughters Karen Iwata, Lori Schroeder, Gwen Goossen, Pat Schmidt and Dianne Goertzen; 12 grandchildren, 3 brothers. The funeral was Mar. 2 in Elm Creek MB Church with John Willems ministering.
Frank Baker Hitchens
Frank Hitchens died Nov. 3. He was born May 19, 1943. He lived in Delaware, U.S. He studied at DePaul University and in Utah on basketball scholarships. He married Diana Detton. They moved to Burnaby, B.C., North Delta, B.C. and then Kelowna, B.C. in 1974. Here he managed the Thunderbird store. He enjoyed working with the Boys and Girls Club of Kelowna. He was instrumental in the construction of the Rutland Kinsmen Youth Centre. He accepted Jesus early in his life and was baptized at Willow Park Church, Kelowna. He married Nicki. They enjoyed many activities together. He enjoyed spending time with friends, talking sports and playing games. Playing and coaching sports were important to him, particularly playing men’s basketball with and against son Chad. Golfing at Pebble Beach, N.C. was memorable. A memorial service was held Nov. 9 in Willow Park Church.
Anna Wiebe 
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Anna Wiebe died Jan. 28. She was born Aug. 12, 1909 to Peter and Justina Dick in Brasol, Schoenfeld, Ukraine. Anna’s mother died when Anna was 2. The family immigrated to Waterloo, Ont. when she was 16. She worked as a domestic and in a sewing factory. Through Bible studies she found a personal relationship with the Lord and was baptized, joining the MB Church. She married John Wiebe on Apr. 3, 1932. They lived in Winona, Ont., then moved to a farm in Virgil, Ont., growing fruits and vegetables. Due to health problems they moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1949, buying an orchard in Glenmore. She worked hard harvesting crops, gardening, canning and baking. They were involved in the church and hosted guest speakers. Her evenings were spent sewing and mending, while John read to her. They retired early and moved to town. They travelled to many countries and to visit family in the U.S. She was an active member of the Dorcas Mission Society at church, making many blankets for MCC. Predeceased by John and son Art, she is mourned by daughters Marian Wiebe of Kelowna, Eleanor Pauls of Fresno, Calif., Helen Quiring of Hampton, Neb.; sons John and Henry of Kelowna, Rudy of Surrey, B.C.; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren. The funeral was in Willow Park Church, Kelowna, with Arnie Peters ministering.
Helen Olga Esselink
Helen Olga Esselink died Feb. 5. She was born Mar. 4, 1916 to Jacob and Maria Giesbrecht in Dalmeny, Sask. Her mother died when Helen was 10 months old. She accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized at 17. She attended Dalmeny Bible School, Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta. and Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan. She became a home missionary with Western Children’s Mission in Saskatchewan and worked with Western Tract Mission. She moved to North Battleford, Sask., becoming a proofreader for a newspaper. In 1977 she married Richard Esselink and moved to Grande Prairie, Alta. They moved to Vernon and then to Kelowna in 1992. They were hospitable and generous in prayer and finances. They became parents to Roy and Becky Ott in Vernon, and grandparents to Juanita Neufeld. She was predeceased by Richard in June 2002. The funeral was in Willow Park Church, Kelowna.
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