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In this section:
Aron A. Peters 
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Aron A. Peters died Oct. 10 with his children at his bedside. He was born July 26, 1918 to Aron and Elizabeth Peters. When Aron was 8, the family immigrated to Canada. They spent two years in the Niverville, Man. area before settling in Boissevain. At 15, Aron entered into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He was baptized and became a member of Boissevain MB Church. He attended Winkler Bible School for three years. In 1945, he married Elizabeth Dueck. Together they farmed and raised a family. Aron was a person of faith and discipline. Daily devotions at the breakfast table and evening Bible reading were important to him. He served in the church, teaching Sunday school, working as a trustee, and serving as chair of the building committee. In 1982, Aron and Elizabeth built a retirement home. Aron enjoyed travelling, woodworking, and walking. Predeceased by Elizabeth in 1996; infant sister Katie; 4 brothers; he is mourned by children Victor (Sharon), Edwin (Kathy), Alice (Phillip Natiuk), Dorothy (Klaus Lahr), Richard (Brenda), Barbara (Ron DeWalt); 19 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters; 1 brother. The funeral was Oct. 14 at Boissevain MB Church.
Mildred Helen Magnusson 
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Mildred Helen Magnusson died Nov. 20. She was born Sept. 11, 1922 to Herman and Mary Gossen. She was raised on a farm near Waldheim, Sask. Mildred’s love of learning led her to the teaching profession. She used her skill in public and Sunday school. Her job took her to a small island on Lake Winnipeg, where she met her husband Gordon. Their 55-year marriage was an inspiration to many. Music was important to Mildred. She used her ability in singing and playing the piano to serve in various churches. She would often hum or sing hymns while preparing meals or doing housework. Mildred also had the gift of hospitality. Most important to Mildred were her relationships with God and family. She prayed daily for each family member. Predeceased by 3 brothers; 2 sons-in-law; she is survived by Gordon; daughters Gladys (Ken Reeve), Roxanne (Chuck Kroeker), Karen (Don Allen), and Bev (Dave Jakelski); 10 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 4 sisters. The memorial service was Nov. 24 at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Anna Boldt
Anna Boldt died Sept. 8. She was born Jan. 8, 1906 in Neukirch, Ukraine to Heinrich and Susanna Voth. In 1947, Anna and her mother immigrated to Canada and settled in Dalmeny, Sask. Anna managed a seniors’ home and was a housekeeper in Saskatoon. In 1958, she married Peter Boldt in Kitchener, Ont. Her husband died in 1965. During those brief years of married life, Peter was a great spiritual encouragement to Anna. In 1974, she moved to Chilliwack, B.C. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, and reading. Prayer was an important part of Anna’s life. Although she experienced many hardships, she found that God was faithful and always provided for her. Predeceased by Peter; 4 brothers; 2 sisters; she is mourned by stepchildren Helen Boldt, Martha Stevens, and Eleanor Jacobi; nieces and nephews. The memorial service was Sept. 14 at Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack.
Abe Dyck 
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Abram Peter Dyck died Nov. 11 after a battle with lung cancer. He was born Aug. 28, 1938, along with his twin brother, in Portage la Prairie, Man. to David and Katie Dyck. Growing up, there was never a dull moment with two sets of twin boys. Abe received Christ as a young boy and was baptized at 16. Abe loved farming, John Deere tractors, and Dodge vehicles. Abe attended Winkler Bible School, where he met Frieda Klassen, whom he married Aug. 4, 1961. In 1965, they moved to Port Rowan, Ont., where Abe started a cash crop farm. He also worked for TRW for 21 years. Camping was a passion, and every year included a camping trip across Canada or the U.S. Abe was involved in his church, serving the Lord as an usher, Boys Brigade leader, and Sunday school teacher. He also served on the board of directors at Camp Crossroads and with the Gideons. After retirement, Abe and Frieda joined SOWERS, volunteering with various Christian organizations doing maintenance work. During his illness, Abe used the time to witness to people. He is mourned by Frieda; daughters Pat (Dan) Hiebert, Charlotte (Bert) Reimer, and Melissa (John) Penner; 6 grandchildren; 2 brothers; 2 sisters. The funeral was Nov. 15 at Port Rowan MB Church.
Mary Sawatzky
Mary Sawatzky died Nov. 5. She was born Mar. 5, 1922 in Niederchortitza, Ukraine to Jacob and Maria Wall. In 1942 she became a Christ follower and was baptized on Pentecost Sunday of that year. In 1943, Mary fled with her mother and 5 siblings from the Ukraine to Germany, Yugoslavia, and then Austria, finally immigrating to Manitoba in 1948. In 1949, the family moved to Clearbrook, B.C. She married Jacob Wiebe in 1951. They farmed and attended Rosemary Mennonite Church in Alberta, until moving back to B.C., where they attended West Abbotsford Mennonite Church and Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church. Jacob died in 1982. In 1984, Mary met her second mate, David Sawatzky, and joined Central Heights Church. David died suddenly in November 1999. Mary enjoyed Bible studies, and visiting with her family and friends. The funeral service was Nov. 9 at Eben-Ezer Church.
Edwin Barkman
Edwin Barkman died Sept. 28. He was born Oct. 19, 1920 in Steinbach, Man. When he was 4, the family moved to Foam Lake, Sask., where they owned a flour mill. Edwin attended Bethany Bible School for a short time, and then started working as a miller, even baking bread and writing a recipe book. During the war, he supplied flour for the war effort. In 1946, he married Della Gossen and they moved to Steinbach, Man. Edwin started a hardware and gift shop along with his brothers. They began manufacturing cement blocks, and the business grew into Barkman Concrete. In 1964, Edwin sold out, moving to Vancouver, Steinbach, and finally to Abbotsford, B.C., where he started his own concrete plant and introduced interlocking blocks to Western Canada. Upon retirement, he volunteered with SEND International and as chair of Central Heights Church pulpit board. The funeral was Oct. 6 at Central Heights Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Mary Derksen 
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Mary Derksen died Oct. 25. She was born May 8, 1923 in Great Deer, Sask. to Isaac and Edith Bueckert. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour when she was young, and was baptized and joined the MB Church. She attended Hepburn Bible School and served one summer with Western Children’s Mission. She married Ernest George Derksen Oct. 15, 1944. They farmed near Borden, Sask. for 48 years. Mary loved to teach Sunday school and sing in the choir. She served faithfully on the lunch committee, mailbox club, and folding church bulletins. In addition to being a loving mother and homemaker, Mary worked at the Unwed Mother’s Home, Central Haven Special Care Home, and Langham Nursing Home. She earned her special care aide certificate while working in Langham. After retiring, Mary and Ernest enjoyed travelling. In 1997, Mary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Predeceased by granddaughter Candace; 2 sisters; she is mourned by Ernest, her husband of 62 years; children Cliff (Wilma), Ethel (Bill) Arnold, Walt (Bernice), Leo (Sandy); 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The memorial service was Oct. 28 at West Portal Church, Sasktooon.
Esther Elsie Hildebrand
Esther Elsie Hildebrand died peacefully Sept. 1. She was born Mar. 9, 1941 in Winkler, Man. to Abe and Edna Unrau. At 8, she accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour and at 12, she rededicated her life at a revival meeting. Esther married Laurence Hildebrand April 11, 1963 and spent time helping him on the farm in Myrtle, Man. She was baptized in 1982, joining the Carman Gospel Light MB Church, where she served in various ministries such as Pioneer Girls, Awana, Sunday school committee, choir, and as pianist. Esther and Laurence moved to Winkler in 1999. Esther enjoyed camping, travelling, painting, and scrapbooking. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. Predeceased by 1 grandchild; she is mourned by Laurence; children Cheryl (Dennis) Hildebrand, Richard (Jennifer), Connie (Darcey) Dueck; 6 grandchildren; 1 brother; 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 6 at Winkler MB Church.
John Harry Brown 
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John Harry Brown died Nov. 29. He was born Feb. 26, 1923 south of Morden, Man. to John and Susan Brown. His life began in difficult circumstances as his mother died when John was born. He married Elsie Braun in 1949 and they lived on the family farm until moving to Winkler in 1970. The farm was always a central hub of activity. John became a Christian in his early years and was baptized in 1945 at Winkler MB Church. Church was a priority for John; he taught Sunday school, worked as a trustee, and served on the building committee. He was also active in the community, serving as a Co-op board member for 20 years. John was a man of integrity, starting every day with Bible reading and prayer. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, and grandfather, and enjoyed baseball, his motorcycle, and games. John will be remembered for his generosity, gentle strength and wisdom, and boisterous laugh. Predeceased by 4 sisters; 1 brother; he is mourned by Elsie; daughter Jean (John) Hildebrand; sons Rod (Anne) and Roger (Alma); 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 4 at Winkler MB Church.
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At the celebration of J.I. Packer’s 80th birthday at a Regent College (Vancouver) chapel last July, Packer preached on Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Reflecting on what it means for him to finish the race well, the theologian expressed the desire not only to be wished a “happy birthday,” but more importantly, to be wished a “happy death day!”
—from The Regent World, Fall 2006 |
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