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In this section:
Helen Hiebert
Helen Hiebert died Dec. 11. She was a member of Clearbrook MB Church during the last years of her life. Predeceased by her husband Jacob in 2001; 1 sister; she is mourned by daughters Rita (Bob) McFarland and Helen (Al) Sawatsky; sons Cliff (Gloria) and Jerry (Sharlene); 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The memorial service was Dec. 15 at the Menno Home Chapel, Abbotsford.
Matilda (Tillie) Friesen
Matilda Friesen died Dec. 31. She was born Jan. 8, 1920 to Aaron and Anna Goosen in Main Centre, Sask. In 1934 the family moved to the Bertdale area, north of Foam Lake, Sask. Tillie accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour and was baptized Sept. 23, 1938. She attended Herbert Bible School from 1942–43. Tillie married John Friesen Nov. 23, 1947 and they farmed southwest of Foam Lake until 1979. Tillie loved her large garden and had an exceptional ability to cook and serve large family groups. Taking care of family and serving in the church were of utmost importance to her. Predeceased by 4 sisters; 2 brothers; she is mourned by John; sons Gerald and Wayne; daughter Judy; 7 grandchildren. The funeral service was Jan. 4 at Foam Lake (Sask.) Gospel Fellowship Church.
Esther Marie Elias
Esther Marie Elias (nee Pelser) died Jan. 19 at age 90. She was born in 1915. Predeceased by 2 sisters; 2 brothers; she is mourned by her beloved husband John J. Elias; 3 daughters Shirley (Bert) Friesen, Frances (Ron) Ginter and Mildred (Paul) Laing; grandchildren Leslie, Bob, Marlowe, Lori, Krista, Max, Kurtis and Julie; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral service was Jan. 22 at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden, Man.
Geordie Brown 
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Geordie Brown died Jan. 16. He was born Sept. 14, 1918 to Isaac and Gertrude Brown in Plum Coulee, Man. In his teens, Geordie learned 500 Bible verses to earn his way to camp. He committed his life to God and was active as a Sunday school teacher, in youth ministry, in Boys Brigade, as a choir director and as leader of a string orchestra. He also served on the board of Emmanuel International. He farmed until 1960 when he moved to Steinbach, Man. to work as a plumber. He began Brown’s Plumbing and Heating in 1973 and continued to contribute there even after his retirement. He and wife Sophie celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2005. Geordie enjoyed fishing, boating and hardball. He also liked technology, taking night classes and earning licenses for many related trades. He loved humour and practical jokes. Geordie always looked for ways to help, operating the dishwasher after many church functions. Predeceased by 1 sister; 3 brothers; 1 son-in-law; 1 great-grandchild; he is mourned by Sophie; children Gordon, Grace Bartel, Gerald, Garry, Gilbert, Gail Dzuba, Garth, and Gloria Barkman; 25 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 20 at Steinbach (Man.) MB Church.
John I. Berg
John Isaac Berg died Dec. 22. He was born Nov. 13, 1918 in Fuerstenwerder, Russia and came to Canada with his parents in 1926, settling in the Coaldale area. At 16, he accepted Christ as Saviour, but soon drifted away from faith due to lack of follow-up. On Nov. 17, 1945 he married Rose Friesen. John farmed for one year, then worked for Neufeldt Industries and served as a volunteer firefighter for 30 years. John and Rose enjoyed 60 years together, and loved travelling and gardening. In 1981, during a friend’s funeral and sensing a void in his life, John came back to the Lord. John freely spoke of God’s wonderful grace. Rose followed in faith and the couple were baptized, joining the Coaldale MB Church where they took part in Bible studies and actively served wherever there was opportunity, in the deaconate as well as on the custodial committee. John is mourned by Rose; daughters Sharon (Dennis) Barbour and Beverly (Ken) Carroll; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren.
Hanna Plett 
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Hanna Plett died Jan. 17. She was born July 29, 1915 to Peter H. and Mary Jantzen and grew up on her parent’s farm in the Waldheim, Sask. district. In 1927, she was baptized and received into membership at the Brotherfield MB Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir led by her father. At 24, she married Wilfrid Plett and together they built up the family farm where they lived for the next 54 years. She saw her role in life as that of a supportive helpmate, giving behind-the-scenes assistance as she could. Hanna tended and harvested an enormous garden, first for the family’s welfare and later to donate produce and canned goods to Bethany Bible Institute. When most of the children were grown, Hanna and Wilfrid adopted a son and spent their early senior years raising him. Hanna was actively involved in the Brotherfield Church for over 73 years, participating in Ladies Aid quilting bees and other projects. She and Wilfrid often brought flowers from their garden to adorn the worship space or added produce to the Thanksgiving display. Predeceased by son David; 5 siblings; she is mourned by Wilfrid; children Esther, Ruth (Thor) Skafte, Geri Yee, Gladys Neufeld (Clayton Beish), Jane (Murray) Epp and Jeffrey; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; 1 brother; 1 sister.
Louise Enns 
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Louise Enns died Jan. 4. She was born Aug. 19, 1921 in Orenburg, Russia to Isaac and Anna Toews. At 5, the family moved to Canada, but Louise was detained in England for 2 years while she underwent medical treatments. At 7, she made the journey by ship to Canada and arrived at a railroad platform in Herbert, Sask., carrying only a suitcase and name tag. She preceded the telegram announcing her coming, so no family members were there to meet her. Two women helped her reunite with her family. Louise remembered hard work as well as happy times during those years. She was baptized upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ in 1937. Louise married John Enns in 1945. By 1960 when they finally settled in B.C., there were 7 children. During those years Louise directed day-to-day operations in the house and on the farm while John took night classes at UBC. Louise’s family was the joy of her life. She was active in church, singing in choirs, teaching Sunday school and organizing ladies’ groups. As she moved from home to hospital, she remained confident in Jesus Christ. She is mourned by John; 7 children; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 7 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford.
Elizabeth Warkentin 
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Elizabeth Warkentin died Dec. 23. She was born July 23, 1903 in Herzenberg, Russia to Henry and Katherine Siemens. Elizabeth grew up near the Ural mountains of northern Russia. Hers was a devoutly Christian home; her father was a leading minister in the local church, and Elizabeth’s life was impacted by the love and spiritual input of her parents. During her last year of school, Elizabeth’s teacher helped her seek the Lord. After some struggles, she rested her faith in Jesus. Two years later, she was baptized and joined the MB Church. In 1925, her family immigrated to Mexico because of political unrest in Russia. Elizabeth’s sister Tina died of typhoid enroute to Mexico, so Elizabeth became the caregiver for her sister’s two children. She then married her sister’s widower, Peter Warkentin. Due to political unrest, the family left Mexico and immigrated to Canada, settling in Abbotsford, B.C. in 1934. Elizabeth was involved in the fellowship and ministry of the church in her quiet way. She lived at Tabor Home for 31 years and was active there by distributing church bulletins. Predeceased by Peter in 1975, she is mourned by son Henry (Nettie); 5 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Dec. 29 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford.
John Jacob Wedel 
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John Jacob Wedel died Dec. 10. He was born Jan. 20, 1910 in Dolinsk, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926. John became a believer in Jesus Christ at age 7. At 20, he was baptized in Wawanesa, Man. and became a member of the MB Church. On Oct. 28, 1934 he married Olga Klassen. In 1935 they moved to Clair, Sask., where he took over a farm as a paid worker and got sunstroke, causing him to suffer from headaches the next 70 years. John and Olga moved to B.C. in 1937. Church life was very important to the couple and they were among the founding members of Clearbrook MB Church. The family moved to Vancouver in 1956 where John worked at the Alberta Meat Company and later became a maintenance worker at Evergreen Press. John and Olga became members of Fraserview MB Church and, in 1961, charter members of Killarney Park MB Church. The couple retired to Abbotsford. Predeceased by Olga in 1993; 1 grandson; 1 daughter-in-law; he is mourned by sons Ernie (Elsie) and Albert (Sherry); daughter Evelyn; 8 grandchildren; 1 brother. The memorial service was Dec. 16 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford.
Agnes Funk 
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Agnes Funk (nee Rempel) died Sept. 22. She was born Oct. 24, 1917 in Novo Omsk, Siberia, seven days after the Russian Revolution started. She jokingly called herself “a child of the Revolution.” Her family immigrated to Canada in 1926, arriving in St. John and welcomed by Canadians offering the best bologna sandwiches she had ever tasted. After three years in Winnipeg her family relocated to Abbotsford. As a young woman Agnes moved to Vancouver where she worked as a housekeeper and on the St. Paul’s Hospital pediatric ward. She married Abe Funk Mar. 28, 1942 and the couple settled on a farm in Abbotsford, raising six children. Abe and Agnes enjoyed 62 years of marriage. Agnes was a tenacious, forward-thinking woman who loved life, art, music, travel and reading. She was a woman of faith and will be remembered for her dry sense of humour. Agnes is mourned by Abe; daughters Irm (Will) and Charlotte (Rick); sons Bob (Irene), Dave (Shirl), Paul (Cheryl) and Tony (Marlene); grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 27 at Bakerview Church, Abbotsford.
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