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In this section:
Clara Dyck
Clara Alice Dyck died Oct. 11, 2007 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. She was born June 29, 1923 in Pesorovka, Ukraine. Her family moved to Guernsey, Sask. and later Yarrow, B.C., where she met Peter Dyck. They were married in 1941. Clara was a woman ahead of her time who demonstrated a real talent for business. As a couple, Clara and Peter were a successful team. They enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, Palm Springs, and several road trips. They were baptized together at Fraserview MB Church, Richmond, B.C., in 1989. She is mourned by Peter; children Kenneth (Sally), Diane (Douglas) Stewart; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 18 at Fraserview MB Church.
Rowena (Betty) Elizabeth Harms
Rowena (Betty) Harms died Sept. 18, 2007. She was born Nov. 4, 1936 in Steinbach, Man. to Peter and Maria Reimer. She accepted Jesus as Saviour in her early teens and was baptized upon confession of faith. On May 28, 1955, Betty married Cornelius Harms. They lived in Kola, Man., Wawota, Sask., and Brandon, Man., where Betty happily used her gifts of generosity and hospitality. She was involved in teaching Sunday school, being a youth leader, conducting choirs, and many community activities. Christian Women’s Club, Friendship Bible Coffee, and the Gideon Women’s Auxiliary were important to her. Predeceased by 1 sister, son Dawson, and granddaughter Abigail, she is mourned by Corny; children Patsi (Errol) Sherman, Sherry Funk, and David (Janelle); 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 1 daughter-in-law; 9 siblings. The funeral was Sept. 22 at Steinbach (Man.) MB Church.
Erika Kosack
Erika Kosack died Oct. 30, 2007. She was born Sept. 19, 1947 to John and Margaret Kosack in Nuremburg, Germany. The family boarded the General Stuart and sailed to Halifax in 1948, finally settling in Matsqui, B.C. At 8, Erika began attending the MSA Society for the Handicapped (now Society for Community Living) a couple hours a day, and was part of the community for another 52 years, Monday through Friday. Erika enjoyed bowling, exercise, crafts, and computer games. She loved parades and MCC sales. Her friends Jenny and Shelley lovingly took care of her on weekends and while her parents were on holiday. Predeceased by her father John, she is mourned by Margaret; 2 cousins; many friends and loved ones who cared for her and enjoyed her presence. The memorial service was Nov. 5 at Clearbrook MB Church.
Peter Lepp
Peter Lepp died Dec. 10, 2007. He was born Feb. 27, 1915 to Jacob and Katharina Lepp in Orenburg, Russia. He spent his early childhood in Siberia where his father worked in flourmills and traded horses. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926, and Peter farmed in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, along with trucking and bee keeping. Peter married Helen Enns in 1940, was baptized in 1952 at Virgil MB Church, and moved to St. Catharines in 1956 where he worked for General Motors. He was a jack-of-all-trades and attended Scott Street MB Church and then Fairview MB Church, where he was a charter member. Predeceased by Helen and children Ronald, William, Arnold, and Linda; he is mourned by children Charlotte (John Klassen), April (Dean Steppan), Allan (Joan); 1 grandson. The funeral was Dec. 13 at Fairview MB Church.
Elfrieda Nafziger
Elfrieda Nafziger died Sept. 2, 2007. She was born July 22, 1938 in Hillsboro, Kan., to John and Nettie Toews. After graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1961, she completed a master’s degree in South Asian history at Kansas State University. Elfrieda taught high school in Manitoba, Nigeria, and Manhattan, Kan., until 1996, and later English as a second language in Helsinki, Finland. As a volunteer in Nigeria, she met Wayne Nafziger and they married Aug. 20, 1966, moving to Manhattan. In 1992, she wrote a well-received biography of her father. Elfrieda’s caring horizons ranged from personal to global, co-founding World Friendship for international students, leading in Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice, and serving as an advisor to Amnesty International. She lived life fully and honestly to the end. She is mourned by Wayne; sons Brian and Kevin; 4 siblings. The memorial service was Sept. 6 at Kansas State’s All-Faiths Chapel.
Alfred Neufeld
Alfred “Al” Neufeld died Dec. 8, 2007. He was born May 23, 1928 to William and Anna Neufeld in Whitewater, Man. Al left this world with the peace and assurance that only comes through knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. He is mourned by his loving wife of 57 years, Elsie; children Ron (Rhonda), Sandy (Wayne) Bissky, Norm (Gwen), Sharie (Brian) Fehr; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings. The memorial service was Dec. 13 at Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, B.C.
Frank Peters 
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Frank Peters died Oct. 29, 2007. He was born Feb. 20, 1929 to Peter and Katarina Peters in Molotschna, Ukraine. His father, a minister, was taken by the communist regime, and 8 of his 15 siblings died before adulthood. At 15, as a member of Hitler Youth, Frank dug trenches in East Prussia, but was spared armed service due to illness and was allowed to return home, eventually immigrating to Canada in 1948 with the rest of his family. He loved to read, and after graduating from highschool in Coaldale, Alta., left to MB Bible College in Winnipeg, where he accepted Jesus as Saviour and met and married Helen Thiessen in 1955. They served as missionaries with Manitoba Home Missions Committee, and later with the Board of Welfare to assist German-speaking MB churches in Uruguay and Brazil. Frank later completed his master’s degree in history in Fresno, Cal. They served more than 30 years in Brazil with MBMSI in teaching and evangelism. Afterward, Frank pastored King Road and Culloden MB churches. He leaves a rich spiritual legacy. He is mourned by Helen; 6 children; many grandchildren. The memorial service was Nov. 2 at King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Frank George Peters
Frank George Peters died Nov. 1, 2007. He was born Dec. 9, 1911 to Gerhard and Susanna Peters in Donskaya, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada, and Frank accepted Jesus as Saviour in Yarrow, B.C. where he was baptized and became an active member of the Yarrow MB Church. He married Christina Derksen Feb. 26, 1933. After her death in 1981, Frank married Liese Regier, an immigrant from Paraguay, in 1982. They later joined Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, where they sang in the choir and Frank served as treasurer. He is remembered as a loving father, stepfather and husband. Predeceased by son George Frank in 1960; wife Christina; wife Liese in 2004; he is mourned by son Robert Jacob; stepchildren Neta Neufeld, George Neufeld, Eric Neufeld, Susie Tocros, Mika Kliewer, and Ernest Neufeld. The burial was Nov. 8 at Yarrow Cemetery.
David Marcel Reddekop
David Marcel Reddekop died Oct. 22, 2007. He was born Nov. 1, 1919 to Jacob and Justina Reddekop in Hague, Saskatchewan. He married Agnes Schellenberg Aug. 12, 1942, and worked as a carpenter in many areas of B.C., including Oliver, 100 Mile House, Revelstoke, Canoe, and Salmon Arm. After 48 years of marriage, Agnes died in 1991 and David then married Elisabeth Reimer. He was known for his generosity, hard work, love of family, and knowledge of family history. He was devoted to the church, loved gospel music, played mouth organ, and sang tenor in many choirs and quartets. He enjoyed bowling, horseshoes and being an ace crokinole player. Predeceased by wife Agnes; wife Elisabeth in 2002; he is mourned by sons Andrew (Susan) and Gary (Maxine); 2 grandchildren; 2 siblings. The celebration of life was Oct. 30 at Tabor Home Chapel, Abbotsford, B.C.
Rudy Sawatzky
Rudy M. Sawatzky died Oct. 22, 2007. He was born March 28, 1925. Predeceased by his wife Betty, he is mourned by brother Paul, and many other family and friends. The memorial service was Oct. 26 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Man.
Hedwig Schmidt 
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Hedwig Schmidt died Nov. 14, 2007. She was born Nov. 27, 1922 to Franz and Anna Ratzlaff in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland. Hedy accepted Jesus as Saviour at 11, and was baptized in 1938. A nature lover with an inquisitive mind, she worked on the family farm, and later attended agricultural school, eventually supervising farm labour for a Polish family. In 1945, Hedy’s family evacuated, her father later killed by German soldiers. They fled to an MCC camp in Gronau, West Germany, where she rekindled a friendship with Arnold Schmidt. They were married in 1949 in Linden, Alta., settling in Richmond B.C., where they attended Culloden MB Church and showed great hospitality. She read many books and wrote articles for the Mennonitische Rundschau, and was described as a “deep thinker” with a strong faith in God. In 1976 she beat a strain of fast-spreading cancer. Predeceased by Arnold in 2005, 2 brothers, 3 sisters; she is mourned by daughter Ann Kroeker; 2 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The memorial service was Nov. 20 at Culloden MB Church.
Erna Spenst
Erna Spenst died Sept.14, 2007. She was born Sept 18, 1928 in Eyebrow, Sask. Her family moved to Alberta in the 1930s, then B.C., where she settled in Chilliwack with her husband Jack. She enjoyed reading and her talents included gardening, sewing, and baking. She had the gift of hospitality, and in her retirement years she found time to volunteer at the MCC thrift store. Erna is remembered as one who sought to live a life that helped bring goodness into the world. She was a supportive, caring wife and mother. She had a warm, compassionate and godly spirit. She trusted God for guidance and direction in her life. Predeceased by 7 siblings, she is mourned by Jack; daughters Carol (Terry) and Kathy; 4 grandchildren. The memorial service was Sept. 24 at Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C.
Valeda Ann Wall
Valeda Wall died Nov. 22, 2007 after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was born May 18, 1941 in Waldheim, Sask., and her family moved to Ontario where she spent most of her life before moving to Lethbridge, Alta. in 1979. At 11, Valeda accepted Christ as Saviour, and was baptized at 19. Valeda married Peter Wall Apr. 27, 1963. She served the Lord faithfully, reaching out to people with a sincere love for him. Valeda played a key role as office administrator for the family’s home building business. She was dedicated to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Predeceased by 1 son, she is mourned by Peter; children Cheryl (Darrell) Burgess, Sylvia (Dennis) Matis; 4 grandchildren; 3 sisters. The funeral service was held at Coaldale MB Church.
Walter Wiebe
Walter Wiebe died Sept. 10, 2007 after a lengthy illness. He was born Dec. 18, 1924 in Saskatoon, Sask. His family moved to the Fraser Valley, B.C., where Walter committed his life to Christ and was baptized in his early twenties. He married Lenora Neufeld Nov. 26, 1949, and they settled in Chilliwack, where he became a teacher involved in special education and eventually became school district counsellor. He was an active lay leader in Broadway MB Church for nearly 40 years and was appreciated for his practical wisdom and sensitivity to people, encouraging many. Walter read widely and loved music and travelling. He is mourned by Lenora; children Ken (Lorraine), Doug (Eva), Winona, Donna (Alan) Goerz, Laura (Marv) Rempel, Lenora (Tony) Bal; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters; 4 brothers. The memorial service was Sept. 14 at Broadway MB Church.
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