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In this section:
Wanda Mandau 
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Wanda Mandau died June 12. She was born Oct. 12, 1916 to Peter and Agnetha Schroeder in Kazun, Poland. She married Michael Mandau Nov. 22, 1934, and they were blessed with three children Lydia, Wally, and Richard. In Feb. 1942, Michael was forced to join the German army and sent to the Russian front. In 1943, he was wounded and died. Wanda tried to escape to Germany with her children and mother, but they were captured and sent to a Polish concentration camp. Wanda was sent to work on a farm and her children were placed in an orphanage, where Richard died. The family was reunited in 1949 at the Mennonite Central Committee camp in Gronau, Germany. In July 1950 Wanda, Lydia, and Wally immigrated to Drake, Sask. Wanda accepted Jesus as Saviour in 1958, and was baptized in 1996. She retired in 1978 and moved to St. Catharines, Ont. She is survived by her children Lydia and Wally (Ann); 2 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was June 15 at Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines.
Clarence Milton Esau 
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Clarence Milton Esau died May 24 after a short struggle with leukemia. He was born May 7, 1934 in Crooked Creek, Alta. to John and Margaret Esau. Clarence became a Christian at 13 and was baptized upon confession of his faith. He married Doris Penner Nov. 20, 1955. Clarence worked as a teacher for 31 years in Linden, Alta., and surrounding areas. He also worked as an instructional designer at Olds College, where he was bestowed the title of Instructor Emeritus. Clarence took his commitment to God seriously and was thrilled to see his children and grandchildren also come to faith. He and Doris were best friends and shared everything. He was also his grandchildren’s biggest fan, and was present for many of their concerts and sports events. Clarence loved to sing and his strong bass voice was always appreciated. Predeceased by 4 brothers, Clarence is survived by Doris; children Aldene (Richard) Thiessen, Janet (Randy) Schellenberg, Barry (Manon), Kevin (Denise); 11 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; 3 brothers; 3 sisters. The funeral was May 28 at Linden (Alta.) MB Church.
Leander Austin Martens
Leander Austin Martens died June 8. He was born Aug. 23, 1912 in Herbert, Sask. to Abram and Suzanna Martens. His early years were spent in the Herbert/Main Centre area of Saskatchewan, the province he would always love. Teaching was his profession for 32 years, but farming was his passion. Leander longed for the endless prairie and often dreamt of farming in retirement. He taught in several schools in Saskatchewan and B.C, retiring in 1965. He resided on a farm in Bradner, B.C. until age 90, when his health forced him to move. Leander was diagnosed with cancer in January. Predeceased by his son John; 1 daughter-in-law; 2 granddaughters; 6 brothers; he is mourned by his wife of 64 years, Katherine; children Janice (Dennis) Friesen, Kent, David (Beverly); 1 daughter-in-law; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers; 2 sisters. The memorial service was June 14 at Ross Road Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Christine M. Froese 
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Christine Froese died suddenly Apr. 5 in a single vehicle accident at age 24. She was born May 29, 1982 to Hans and Barb Froese in Winnipeg. Three of her early years were spent in Jamaica. She excelled in school in a German bilingual program. She had a love of languages, graduating from the University of Winnipeg, where she won a gold medal in German studies. On May 15, 2004, Christine married Leonard Penner and they had almost 3 happy, busy years together. Christine entered the teaching profession and was returning home from parent teacher meetings at the time of her accident. She made the decision to become a follower of Jesus early in life and, at 17, chose baptism and church membership. Her faith was a natural and real facet of her life. Christine had a youthful enthusiasm, enjoyed good relationships with her family and friends, and loved books, travelling, shopping, learning, and teaching. She is mourned by Leonard; parents Hans and Barb; brother Daniel; sister Becky. The funeral was Apr. 13 at North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg.
Peter John Neufeld 
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Peter John Neufeld died May 17 at age 90. He was born in 1917 in Sergeyevka, Ukraine to John and Anna Neufeld. In 1926, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in southern Manitoba. Peter married Anne Stoesz in 1948 and started his own farm. Throughout life, Peter was involved in his community, serving on the school board and on church committees. He was a practical man whose deep faith found expression in the extension of love and compassion to those around him. Upon retirement, Peter and Anne moved to Niverville, Man., where Peter cultivated his lifelong love of woodcraft. He rejoiced in the beauties, mysteries, and challenges of the physical world. After 1985, Parkinson’s disease gradually diminished his powers. Peter accepted his condition with grace, yet refused to allow his frailty and discouragement to prevent him from reaching out to others with kind words or offers of assistance. Predeceased by Anne in May 1997; 2 brothers; 1 sister; he is mourned by children Merri-Lou (Dale), Joanne (Ross), Tom (Louise), Dave (Lori), John (Audrey), Ted (Kathy), Peter (Doris) and Harold (Dorothy); 19 grandchildren; 4 sisters; 1 brother. The memorial service was May 22 at Fourth Avenue Bible Church, Niverville, Man.
Selma Epp 
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Selma Epp died May 16. She was born Apr. 26, 1918 near Borden, Sask. to Mr. and Mrs. John A. Harder. Selma and her family survived the dreaded flu epidemic and her childhood was happy. She was a good student and, at age 12, was already taking grade 9 by correspondence. By 15, she was attending Bethany Bible Institute. In her mid-teens, Selma gave testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized by her father. She married Henry Epp Sept. 29, 1939. Little did she know that being a pastor’s wife would take her from Saskatchewan to South Dakota, from California to Washington State, from Alberta to B.C., and eventually to retirement in Abbotsford, B.C. Selma enjoyed bookkeeping and was good at stretching the family budget. She was an excellent hostess, enjoyed singing in choirs, and taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. After retirement, Selma enjoyed walking, bowling, taking swimming lessons, and spending time with family and friends. The memorial service was May 21 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Doris Neufeld
Doris Neufeld died June 8. She was born Apr. 10, 1915 in Saskatoon, Sask. Chosen by Bernhard and Susanna Fast, she grew up on a grain farm that was located between Langham and Dalmeny, Sask. The family moved to Hepburn, Sask., where Doris attended high school and Bible school, and was baptized. On July 29, 1938, she married Peter Neufeld and they moved to Watrous, Sask. to a grain farm. Their son Gordon was born in 1941, and a chosen daughter, Joan, was born in 1952. Doris was a woman of strong faith. She had many talents, such as baking, sewing, knitting, and making children’s clothes and baby blankets. She also enjoyed reciting Bible verses and writing poetry. She is mourned by son Gordon (Erna); 3 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson. The memorial service was June 12 at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont.
Margaret Friesen 
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Margaret Friesen died May 1. She was born Feb. 20, 1914 in Russia to John and Katharina Pettker. Margaret experienced the tragedy of famine, losing her father, brother, and sister in one summer. When Margaret was 11, her family immigrated to Canada. At 14, she began working for other families. At one place of employment, she met her future husband, Henry Heppner. Margaret and Henry were married for 34 years and had 10 children, one of whom died in infancy. After being a widow for 12 years, Margaret married Henry Friesen, with whom she enjoyed 8 years of companionship. She was thankful to the Lord for bringing her through the hardships of life. Predeceased by first husband Henry Heppner; second husband Henry Friesen; 1 daughter; 1 stepdaughter; 3 siblings who came to Canada; she is mourned by children Alfred, Doris, Gladys (Sylvester) Kachur, Sarah, Wayne (Elsie), Gloria (Wayne) Gursky, Erma (Jack) Wagner, Cliff (Elaine), Harvey (Lori); stepson Reg (Helen); 1 stepson-in-law; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 6 step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 4 at Waldheim (Sask.) MB Church.
John Jacob Krahn
John Jacob Krahn died July 3. He was born in 1931 in Gilroy, Sask. to Henry and Maria Krahn. When John was 6, the family moved to B.C.’s Fraser Valley. He graduated from Mennonite Educational Institute in 1948 and entered one of UBC’s first medical school classes, graduating in 1955. John married Elfrieda Ewert in 1956. They spent 51 years doctoring, studying theology, landscaping, ranching, and generally living life to the fullest. John and Elfrieda literally raised their family all over the world, with stops in Winnipeg, New York, Hebron, Heidelberg, Abbotsford, Vancouver Island, Virginia, the B.C. Interior, and Vancouver. They spent much of their retirement on Pender Island and most recently returned to the family home in Abbotsford where John finished his life’s journey. The funeral was July 6 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford.
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