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In this section:
Albertine Sperling
Albertine Sperling died June 30. She was born Apr. 10, 1914 in Dalmeny, Sask. She married Walter Sperling in 1944 and for 30 years they farmed and raised a family. Walter died in 1975. In 1985, Albertine pulled up her prairie roots and moved to B.C. Albertine was a loving wife and mother, and enjoyed gardening, doing many crafts, and travelling. She had a strong, principled faith, and her conscience was tender about pleasing God and being right with people. She taught Sunday school and enjoyed decorating the church for banquets. She was kind and creative, had a zest for life, and provided wise counsel. Predeceased by Walter; 2 brothers; 6 sisters; she is mourned by children Violet (Ernie) Nesdoly, Ken (Dawn), Lome, Loyd (Mara), Beatrice MacPherson, Brian (Darlene), Gilbert (Anne), Julene (Lorne) Gunther, Doris Silva; 25 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers.
Tena Schellenberg 
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Tena Schellenberg died June 25 at age 100. She was born Oct. 25, 1905 in Borden, Sask. to Abram and Sara Nickel. Her mother died when Tena was 5, and her father when she was 16. She attended Herbert Bible School and then moved to Saskatoon where she worked as a maid. She married Abe Schellenberg July 17, 1932. Abe worked through the Depression, allowing the couple to help several destitute friends. They were part of the MB church in Saskatoon and sang in a mixed quartet. In 1943, the family moved to Kelowna, B.C., where they helped organize an MB church. Tena survived three bouts of cancer. Tena and Abe were known for their hospitality, hosting many visiting preachers, missionaries, and singing groups. When they were in their 80s, the conference honoured them for their commitment to the church. Tena enjoyed picnics, handiwork, entertaining, and spending time with her grandchildren. Predeceased by Abe in 1989; 7 siblings; she is mourned by children Genny (Peter) Bartel, Arnold (Erika), Marlene (Chuck) Poitras, Stan (Evy); 9 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild. The funeral was June 30 at Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C.
Anna Fast 
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Anna Fast died May 25. She was born June 1, 1911 to Peter and Anna Unger in Gnadenthal, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in the 1920s, settling in Coaldale, Alta. Anna was baptized upon confession of her faith and joined the Coaldale MB Church. On Jan. 29, 1942, Anna married widower Peter Fast and assumed the role of mother to his 4 children. In the following years, they were blessed with 6 more children. The family farmed in Rosemary, Vauxhall, and Ryley, Alta., retiring to Coaldale in 1973. Anna loved gardening, and sharing her flowers and vegetables. She unselfishly gave of herself and was an encouragement to all. Anna’s faith gave her strength during the challenges of raising a large family, coping with her husband’s death, and dealing with failing health. Predeceased by Peter in 1999; son-in-law Dave; she is survived by children Mary (Abe) Berg, Reinhold (Helen), Elizabeth (Walter) Willems, Agnes (Martin) Hamm, John (Elsie), Henry (Jane), Albert (Kathy), Frieda (John) Boschman, Linda, and Abe (Shirley); 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was at Coaldale MB Church.
Peter Wolff 
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Peter Wolff died May 16. He was born Apr. 9, 1920 in Alexanderfeld, Ukraine to Jakob and Elisabeth Wolff. The family immigrated to Paraguay and started a new life despite many hardships. Peter met his first wife Neta Walde and they married in 1944. They moved to Vancouver in 1958. Although he was raised in a Christian home, he wasn’t a Christian until later in life. Neta prayed for him constantly, and he gave his life to the Lord in 1963 at a Janz Team Crusade. He was baptized and became a member of the Vancouver MB Church and then Culloden MB Church. Neta was killed in a car accident in 1965, but God was gracious to Peter. He met and married Elisabeth Reimer in Aug. 1966. Peter worked at a ladder factory for 10 years. He later built homes until his retirement in 1985 when Peter and Elisabeth moved to Abbotsford and became members of King Road MB Church. They enjoyed singing in the seniors choir and travelling. Predeceased by first wife Neta; 3 brothers; 2 sisters; 1 daughter-in-law; 1 granddaughter; he is mourned by wife Elisabeth; children Erwin (Jessie), Adina (Jerry) Breitkreuz, Louise (Herb) Braun, Elfriede Gaertner, Pete, and Edith; 17 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was May 25 at King Road MB Church.
Mary Rempel
Mary Rempel died May 4. She was born December 22, 1925 in Herbert, Sask. She chose her husband with great care, marrying Peter Rempel Apr. 4, 1948 in Vauxhall, Alta. He built her a log cabin overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, where she had a beautiful garden and made many fond memories. One of Mary’s goals was to gather her family on every special occasion and to have a few of them over every day of the week; her cooking was legendary. Whenever possible, she attended her grandchildren’s activities. Mary was a lady of few words who was adored and respected by all who knew her. She is mourned by husband Peter; children Ken, Wilda, Marilyn, Faith, Mark, and Glenn; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 7 at Lendrum MB Church, Edmonton.
Peter George Dick 
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Peter Dick died peacefully July 21 at nearly 101 years. He was born Oct. 18, 1905 to Gerhard and Aganeta Dick in Alexanderkrone, Ukraine. At 5, he moved with his family to Siberia, and at 21, immigrated to Canada to “spy out the land” for them. He settled in Kitchener, Ont. where he worked on a farm and met Anna Becker, whom he married June 15, 1930. At Anna’s suggestion, Peter made a commitment to become a Christian and live a life of service. He sang in the choir, served as a deacon, joined the Gideons, and opened his home to immigrant families who had escaped the Soviet Union during WWII. Peter and Anna struggled to make a life during the Great Depression, first on a farm and then in the city of Kitchener. They moved to Denver after retirement, travelling all over the world. When Anna died in 1989, Peter moved back to Ontario. He loved to read, write, and stay informed about things. He rode the wave of life with curiosity, elegance, and vitality. Predeceased by Anna; infant daughter Eleanor; he is mourned by children Elfrieda Heinrichs, John, Marina Unger, and Debra Classen; 2 sisters.
Julie Rosemary Baerg
Julie Rosemary Baerg died May 4. She was born July 15, 1948 in Chilliwack, B.C. She attended Bethany Bible Institute where she met Dick Baerg. They were married June 13, 1970. Julie loved reading, playing games, bookkeeping, camping, bugs, playing with her grandchildren, climbing trees, solving puzzles, and visiting with friends. Most recently, she worked at the Rental House, a job that was very special to her. Julie was active in church life at Leduc Fellowship Church, working with Pioneer Girls, and in the library and nursery. She was quiet, supportive, and hospitable. Predeceased by brother Ken, she is mourned by husband Dick; children Darrel (Debbie), Carmen (Kevan) Julseth; 3 grandchildren; 2 brothers (1 of whom died in July). The funeral was May 9 at Leduc (Alta.) Fellowship Church.
John Thiessen
John Thiessen died July 4. He was born Aug. 24, 1941 in Klippenfeld, Ukraine to Johann and Agnes Thiessen. When John was 3, his father was drafted into the German army, so his mother fled to Germany with her young family. They eventually immigrated to Canada, settling in Kitchener, Ont. John received Christ as a teenager, was baptized, and joined the Kitchener MB Church in 1963. He married Betty Doerksen Oct. 21, 1967. John was a dedicated husband and father, and energetically served in the church as a Sunday school bus driver, in the Kids Alive after-school program, and as a deacon. John and Betty also served at Camp Crossroads for many years. John worked as a mechanic, then at Canada Post. He loved nature and spent many hours star-gazing. Predeceased by brother Henry, he is mourned by Betty; daughters Becky and Heidi; 1 brother; 1 sister. The funeral was July 8 at Kitchener MB Church.
Anna Poettcker 
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Anna Poettcker died June 23. She was born Nov. 18, 1920 in Alexanderwohl, Russia. In 1925, her family moved to Canada, settling in the Coaldale, Alta. area. While attending Coaldale Bible School, she met Abraham Poettcker and the two were married June 3, 1943. During her early years of marriage, Anna survived the death of an infant son and a house fire in which she was badly burned. The family moved to Tofield in 1953 where they continued to farm. Anna loved gardening, watching hummingbirds, and going for walks or drives in the country. She was a servant who never complained, giving priority to God, family, and church. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, served with the Gideons, and was president of the Ladies Aid. Predeceased by son Abraham; 2 brothers; she is mourned by husband Abraham; sons AJ (Yvonne), Jake (Betty), Aaron, Walter (Ruth), Arnold (Betty), Art, and Herb; daughters Anne (Ellwood) Barkman, Mary (Les) Hamm, and Esther (Vic) Wiens; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 6 brothers; 1 sister. The memorial service was June 27 at Tofield (Alta.) Gospel Church.
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