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In this section:
Gerhard Bachmann
Gerhard Bachmann died Nov. 29, 2007 at age 80. He was born in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1927 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Bachmann. Gerhard attended the Mennonite congregation and was baptized in 1942. In 1957, he immigrated to Canada, and taught for many years at Preston High School and Kitchener Collegiate Institute. Gerhard was an active member of Kitchener MB Church, teaching Sunday school, serving as a deacon, and helping with Vacation Bible School, as well as the International Student Ministry after retiring in 1987. Predeceased by his first wife Elisabeth in 1969; 2 brothers; he is mourned by wife Ruth; children Eva, Mark, Peter (Tanya); 2 granddaughters; 2 sisters. The funeral was Dec. 5 at Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C.
Arnold Baerg 
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Arnold (Arn) Baerg died Jan. 14, 2008. He was born Dec. 9, 1928 in Crowfoot, Alta. to Aron and Gertrude Baerg. He came to faith as a child after getting lost in a prairie dust storm and sought to live for God all his life. Arn married Ann Willms in Aug. 1954 and settled in Waterloo, Ont. Arn enjoyed 32 years in public education in Waterloo County, as well as 2 years teaching in Cali, Colombia under MBMSI. A founding member of Waterloo MB Church, Arn served several terms on the church leadership board, and dedicated 10 years to newcomers ministry. Arn’s passion for his Lord found expression in work with Interschool Christian Fellowship, Teachers’ Christian Fellowship, teaching Sunday School and small groups, and Speak English Café for refugees. He served on the Mennonite Brethren Bible College board, MB Hymnal Commission, and the Advisory Board of Young Life in Waterloo. He was also the board chair for Camp Crossroads. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Ann; children Cheryl (Ken) Creech, Kerry (Colleen); 5 grandchildren; 4 siblings. Memorial services were Jan. 19 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., and Jan. 25 at Waterloo MB Church.
Menno Friesen
Menno Friesen died Dec. 17, 2007 at age 62 after a short courageous battle with cancer. Menno attended Richmond Park MB Church in Brandon, Man. He is mourned by his wife of 37 years, Margaret; children Dwayne (Andrea), Lynette (Nathan) Penner; 2 grandsons. The funeral was Dec. 21 in Altona, Man.
Olga Dueck
Olga Dueck died Oct. 22, 2007. She was born Mar. 2, 1918 to Johann and Elizabeth Neufeld in Ukraine. Her family moved to Canada in 1924 and settled near Meadows, Man., and later Winnipeg. She met William Dueck at North Kildonan MB Church, and married Aug. 3, 1941. Olga was an accomplished seamstress and worked for many years in the drapery department of The Bay. She served in church, organized family time at the Camp Arnes cottage, and enjoyed needlework, quilting, and sewing. She was an avid swimmer, and loved golfing, bowling, and travelling. Olga was devoted to church and family, as a charter member of McIvor Ave. MB church, and in grounding her children in Anabaptist faith. She will be remembered for her hospitality, humour, and perseverance. Predeceased by her first child William E., Olga is mourned by William; children Richard (Maureen), Gerald (Barbara), Sharon (Eric); 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 1 sister.
Fred Beardsley
Fred Beardsley died Dec. 10, 2007 at age 81. He is mourned by daughters Dale and Sharon, and grandson Mitch. The funeral was Dec. 15 at Linden (Alta.) MB Church.
Peter Isaac 
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Peter Isaac died Nov. 26, 2007. He was born Oct. 16, 1920 in Orloff, Russia to John and Elsie Isaac. In 1927 they moved to Canada, settling near Saskatoon. Growing up in the “dirty thirties” as the oldest of 8 siblings, Peter’s early life was difficult. Peter hitchhiked to Ontario and found a job on a Great Lakes grain carrier. During WWII, he applied for conscientious objector status and was placed on a farm. He attended MB Bible College in Winnipeg, and served 2 years with MCC in Paraguay. In 1950, he married Lena Giesbrecht. They served with Mexican Indian Mission for 3 years, and then Peter graduated from UBC and taught in public schools in Oliver and Chilliwack, B.C., until his retirement. He also taught Bible classes in church, and during the “Jesus People” era, was active in evangelism. Peter always had a loving heart and open purse for mission. On his small hobby farm, he enjoyed landscaping, carpentry, and other activities. Predeceased by 4 brothers, he is mourned by Lena; daughters Sophie Rosen and Shirley Isaac; 4 siblings. The funeral was at Henderson’s Funeral Home, Chilliwack.
Johann (Hans) Isaak
Johann (Hans) Isaak died Dec. 7, 2007. He was born Feb. 3, 1929 in Paraguay. He married Liese Klassen, and in the mid-1950s, moved to Canada after losing their 9-month-old son. After living in Vancouver they moved to Abbotsford, where Hans worked as a reflexologist for 30 years. He enjoyed helping people and was a dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed the outdoors, and took his family camping. Han’s love and trust in the Lord was evident in his life by his commitment to prayer and spending time with each of his children. In retirement, Hans and Liese moved to Clearbrook, B.C. Predeceased by Liese in Jan. 2007; sons Siegfried and Rudy; he is mourned by children Ingrid, Irene, Marianne, John, Hartmut, Albert, and Robert. The memorial service was Dec. 14 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Gladys A. Klassen
Gladys Klassen died Nov. 23, 2007. She was born July 29, 1923 in Waldheim, Sask. As a child she travelled by horse with her father from Waldheim to Glenbush when he went to build the family’s sod home. On July 4, 1943, Gladys married Abram Klassen. She worked tirelessly beside her husband on the farm, driving machinery and preparing large meals for harvest crews. She always had time to tend to a flower garden. She enjoyed sewing and knitting, and was an artist and designer. She could also accompany singers at the piano and played the harmonica. Predeceased by Abram in 2005; 3 siblings; she is mourned by children Bertha (Brock), Pearl (Dave), Ruby (Greg), Carol (Wendy), Darlene, and Tim; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings. The memorial service was Nov. 27 at Waldheim MB Church.
Cornelius (Cork) Kroeker 
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Cornelius (Cork) Kroeker died Oct. 14, 2007. He was born Sept. 14, 1934 to Henry and Maria Kroeker in Coaldale, Alta. At 11, he moved to Chilliwack, B.C. with his family. He accepted Christ as Saviour at 16 at the bedside of his dying mother. He was baptized and joined East Chilliwack MB Church. As a trucker, Cornelius was involved in a serious accident, which resulted in chronic pain and other health issues. He was then employed as a city bus driver in Vancouver. In 1962 he married Ellie Koehn. He enjoyed singing and the outdoors, taking the family fishing, camping, and travelling. He had a great sense of humour and thrived on making others laugh. After retirement he volunteered at the Gleaners, sang in the Abbotsford Male Chorus, and drove patients to the cancer clinic. Predeceased by 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 niece; he is mourned by Ellie; children Kimberly (Keith) Holm and Bradley; 2 grandsons; 9 siblings. The memorial service was Oct. 22 at Killarney Park MB Church.
Merle Smith
Merle Smith died Jan. 22, 2008 at age 76. Merle and his wife Annabel retired to Kelowna, B.C., from the east coast 10 years ago. He was the local president and regional representative of the Canadian Cancer Society and also an integral part of ministry at Willow Park Church, serving as a marriage counsellor and mentor to many. He is mourned by Annabel; daughter Lou-Anne (Blake) Caldwell; 2 grandchildren; 6 stepchildren and their families; 4 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 26, Willow Park Church, Kelowna.
Mary Schmidt
Mary Schmidt was born Oct. 5, 1925 to Henry and Mary Krohn in Lucky Lake, Sask. After living in Glenbush and Little Buffalo, her family moved to B.C. in 1936. After school, she wanted to be a nurse, but had to work on the farm. Mary’s faith journey began while attending Bible school in Yarrow, B.C. in 1942. She married Leslie Schmidt Oct. 21, 1944 and moved from Abbotsford to Chilliwack, B.C. in 1957. Her life was filled with hard work and many moves. She and her husband had the privilege of travelling to 5 continents. Mary was loved as a great host, with many friends. Predeceased by daughter Sharon in 2002, she is mourned by Leslie; children Garry (Linda), Rick (Barb), Don (Debbie), Debbie (Ross) Friesen; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 3 at Killarney Park MB Church, Vancouver.
Rudolf Peter Regehr 
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Rudy Regehr died Jan. 6, 2008. He was born Jan. 27, 1944 to Isaac I. and Mary Regehr in Coaldale, Alta. Rudy accepted Christ as Saviour as a child, and was baptized at age 12. He attended the University of Alberta, graduating from medical school in 1968. Rudy married Mary (Koehn) in 1966, and practiced medicine in various locations in B.C. and Alberta, settling in Elliot Lake, Ont., in 1981. He specialized in addiction medicine and was the medical consultant for the Oaks Treatment Centre in Elliot Lake for more than 20 years. Rudy loved music, especially choral music. He saw the beauty and majesty of God in nature, and captured it through photography. He loved to travel, and also went deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and skydiving. His strong faith, sense of humour, and pleasant nature remained even to his last days, when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Mary; daughters Charmaine (David) Bretzlaff and Natasha; 1 grandchild; 3 brothers. The funeral was Jan. 11 at Lakeside Baptist Church, Haliburton, Ont.
Peter Stobbe
Peter Stobbe died Dec. 13, 2007 at age 81. He was born at sea when his parents moved from Krasikov, Russia to Manitoba. He studied at the Universities of Manitoba and Brandon, and became a teacher. He married Agnes Penner in 1953, and spent 30 years teaching in small towns in southern Manitoba. In retirement, Peter and Agnes volunteered with MCC working with Self Help Crafts, Material Aid, and doing renovation work in Akron and Ephrata, Pa. He enjoyed woodworking. Agnes was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1991. On Nov. 1, 1992, Peter married Eunice Gerbrandt and moved to Saskatoon, where they travelled the world and volunteered together at the Village Green Thrift store for 15 years. He is mourned by Eunice; children Wes (Kim), James (Laura), Robert (Donna Chyz); Sharon (Bernie) Loeppky and Naomi (Paul Reimer); 11 grandchildren; and Eunice’s children and grandchildren. He was buried Dec. 18 in Boissevain, Man.
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