Anna Toews

Anna Toews passed away Jan. 3. She was born June 30, 1914 to Herman and Anna Neufeld in Russia. The family fled to Germany in 1917. In 1920, they immigrated to Winnipeg where her father founded the Rundschau Publishing House and edited the Mennonitische Rundschau. She was baptized at 12 by her grandfather, and joined the MB Church. After high school, she worked in her father's business. Meanwhile, she studied piano and voice. After acquiring diplomas from the Royal Conservatory and the University of Manitoba, she began teaching music. She was active in the church, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school at South End MB Church. She married Jacob Toews July 4, 1942. They spent several years on aboriginal reserves where Jacob was a missionary teacher at a United Church mission. They moved to Winnipeg in 1946 where she taught music while Jacob taught at MB Collegiate Institute. She sang alto solos in oratorio. In 1955, they moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where she continued to teach voice and piano and sing in oratorios. She enjoyed family vacations, attending concerts in Vancouver, crocheting and hooking rugs. Lung cancer was diagnosed in 1995. She is remembered as a loving wife and devoted mother who prayed regularly for the spiritual and physical welfare of her family. She is mourned by Jacob; children Herb, Grant, Walter, Mark, Kathryn and Karen; 7 grandchildren and 2 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 6 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with John Neufeld, Henry Thiessen and Jacob Quiring ministering.

Henry Lawrence Dahl

Henry Lawrence Dahl passed away Jan. 7. He was born Dec. 19, 1912 to Johann Dahl and Judith Lorenz in Terek, Russia. In 1919, the family moved to Alexandertal, Molotschna. Soon after, his mother died of typhoid fever. He was temporarily sheltered by 2 aunts. In 1921, his father married Lena Wiens. In 1925, the family immigrated to Dalmeny, Sask. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. in 1928. He was baptized July 6, 1930, joining Yarrow MB Church. He married Tina Epp Nov. 10, 1935. In 1943, they moved to Sumas Prairie, where they operated a dairy farm. The farm was sold in 1990. They moved to a condominium in Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. In Yarrow MB Church, he sang in the choir and served on Church Council, the Peace Committee and the Maintenance Committee. He is remembered as a friendly, generous, honest, hardworking man; he was a successful farmer who adopted new technology quickly; and a great supporter of education for his family. He is mourned by Tina, children Elizabeth Giesbrecht of Abbotsford, B.C., Victor of Surrey, B.C., Hilda of Victoria, B.C., Edward of Ottawa, Harry of Fort St. John, B.C. and Allan of Abbotsford, B.C. A graveside service was held Jan. 11, followed by a memorial service at Clearbrook MB Church, with David Giesbrecht and Ryan Dahl ministering.

Maria Neufeld

Maria Neufeld passed away Jan. 6. She was born Mar. 13, 1908 to David and Margaretha Siemens in Kornievka, Siberia. In 1926, the family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1926 where she was baptized. The family then moved to Yarrow, B.C. She cared for the younger children, doing sewing and cooking. She went to Bible school and completed practical nurse's training, then cared for her mother through a prolonged illness. In 1945, she married John J. Neufeld, a widower with 5 daughters. They had 3 children together. They were members of Matsqui MB, Central Heights MB and Clearbrook MB Churches, where she made it a priority to serve in practical ways. She got her driver's licence at 60. She took sculpting and painting courses at an Abbotsford, B.C. college. Her husband passed away in 1981, but her life continued to demonstrate her faith in God. She believed that His way was best and continued to pray for her family. After a heart attack in 1992, she moved to Tabor Home in 1993. She enjoyed family gatherings and being with her grandchildren. She is mourned by children Annie, Helen, Mary, Kay, Eliese, Charlotte, Lydia and Johnny; and 3 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 10 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, Jacob Neufeld and George Baier ministering.

Catarina Rahn

Catarina Rahn passed away Dec. 24. She was born Feb. 7, 1907 to Jakob and Eliesabeth Dueck in Blumenfeld, Ukraine. She accepted Christ when she was 11. She was baptized at 13 in Waldheim, Siberia and joined the MB Church. She was gifted in sewing and loved to sing in the choir. She married Peter Rahn July 8, 1926. In 1929, they emigrated to Germany. Their son, Peter, died Dec. 18, 1929. They emigrated to the Chaco, Paraguay in 1930. She plastered the walls of their house with mud, helped kill the grasshoppers and sewed suits for customers. After 18 years, they moved to Brazil where she worked on the dairy farm and sewed clothes. They immigrated to Vancouver in 1960, joining 43rd Ave. MB Church. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1980, joining Clearbrook MB Church. She enjoyed working with the "Helping Hands" group which assists missionaries. Peter died in 1987. She moved into Sunset Manor in 1989. She is remembered as a loving, caring person who prayed faithfully for her family, that they would serve the Lord. Predeceased by Peter and sons Peter and Theodore, she is mourned by children Jacob, Susi Regehr, Lisa Redekopp, Erwin, Elly Bargen, Erika Klassen, Edith Ott, Hartmut, Ernst; 31 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 29 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, George Baier, John E. Klassen and John C. Dyck ministering.

Mary Richert

Mary Richert passed away Jan. 1. She was born Feb. 19, 1918 to Peter and Anna Nikkel in Orenburg, Russia. They immigrated to Burwalde, Man. in 1926. They moved to Coaldale, Alta. in 1929, where she worked on row crops. She enjoyed outdoor work, especially handling horses. After her brothers left home, she became her father's helper on the farm. She accepted the Lord through the ministry of H.H. Siemens and George Unruh. She was baptized in 1935, joining Coaldale MB Church. She attended Bible school for 3 years. She married Corny Richert in 1942, a union blessed with 3 children. In 1963, they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. where they served as deacons in Clearbrook MB Church. They fostered 5 children. Corny died in 1984. She prayed faithfully for her family that they would accept the Lord. She made beautiful quilts for the MCC auction. She was a member of the German, ladies' and chancel choirs and also sang in a ladies group that went to a senior citizen's home. She served the handicapped in various ways. She enjoyed reading and was a member of the library committee. Predeceased by Corny and 2 grandsons, she is mourned by son Wilf; daughters Linda Schroeder, Heidi Fehlauer; 5 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. The funeral was Jan. 8 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and George Baier ministering.

Annie Louise Goertzen

Annie Louise Goertzen passed away Dec. 23. She was born July 10, 1906 to Peter John and Helena Friesen in Dawlekanowa, Ufa, Russia. She accepted Christ at 15. She was baptized in 1921, joining the Gnadenheim MB Church in Siberia. The family immigrated to Winkler, Man. in 1926. Her father died in 1926 and the family moved to Coaldale, Alta. She worked at Bethesda Care Home in Vineland, Ont. and later in Coaldale General Hospital. She married Abram Goertzen in 1956, becoming a mother and grandmother. Her main priorities were to serve the Lord and establish a comfortable Christian home. She worked with her husband in their garden. She was an accomplished seamstress and an excellent cook. Her grandchildren frequently came to her house in Vancouver for lunch or an after-school snack. She and Abram enjoyed travelling. After she had a series of strokes, they moved to Tabor Home in Clearbrook, B.C. in 1992. Predeceased by Abram, 1 sister and 2 brothers, she is mourned by children Agnes Schmidt of Abbotsford, B.C., Henry of Burnaby, B.C., Melita Dyck of Chilliwack, B.C., Rita Mead of Dawson Creek, B.C., Arthur of Coquitlam, B.C.; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 28 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls and Lawrence Schmidt ministering.

Helen Epp

Helen Epp passed away Nov. 19. She was born Oct. 6, 1913 to Abraham A. and Elisabeth Regehr in Muensterberg, Sagradowka, Russia. The family immigrated to Winkler, Man. in 1925, then moved to a farm near Steinbach, Man. in 1926. Her father was a farmer minister and choir conductor. She accepted Christ and was baptized Aug. 25, 1929. She moved to Winnipeg at 16 to work as a domestic worker. She met John Epp, but married him Sept. 6, 1936 only after he became a Christian. She took in boarders to pay the mortgage and strongly supported John's business, Independent Jewellers. She served as president of the ladies' group for 10 years and later of the senior ladies' group. They were charter members of South End MB Church, and longtime Gideons. They enjoyed several international trips, family times at the cottage and attending syphony, opera, football and hockey. She loved children and made time for her grandchildren, attending all their concerts. She is mourned by John; daughter Helen Schellenberg; sons John and Ernest; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and 7 sisters.

Emily Mary Moffitt

Emily Mary Moffitt died of a brain hemorrhage Dec. 1. She was born prematurely Nov. 28 to Rod and Cynthia Moffitt in Santiago, Chile. She is mourned by her parents; sister Anne and twin sister Julia; grandparents Winnifred Johnson of North Bay, Ont. and Bruce and Phyllis Moffitt of Orillia, Ont.; and great-grandmother Marie Hiltz of Orillia. A memorial service was held Dec. 8 in Santiago, Chile with Irving Augustine ministering.

Julia Marie Moffitt

Julia Marie Moffitt died of kidney failure Jan. 15. She was born prematurely Nov. 28 to Rod and Cynthia Moffitt in Santiago, Chile. She was predeceased Dec. 1 by twin sister Emily. A memorial service was held Feb. 17 for Julia and Emily at Christian Fellowship Chapel near Orillia, Ont. with John Block ministering.

Maria Goertz

Maria Goertz passed away Jan. 23. She was born Sept. 29, 1909 to David and Maria Klassen in Gruenfeld, Ukraine. She grew up on the farm, was active in church and family work, and accepted the Lord during her confirmation year. When she was 18, her father died. In 1929, the family immigrated to Santa Catarina, Brazil, then Curitiba, Brazil. She was active in church, youth group and the choir. She married Cornelius Goertz Jan. 26, 1936. They attended the MB church in Boqueirao. The family immigrated to Kitchener, Ont. in 1958. They were founding members of Zion MB Church in Kitchener, serving for many years as deacons. Cornelius passed away in 1979. Her greatest desire was to see all her children and grandchildren come to faith in Jesus, and grow in their faith. She is remembered for her faithful prayers and devotion to God. She demonstrated a disciplined Christian walk and quiet time. The day before she died, she meditated on Heb. 13:14. Predeceased by Cornelius and son Bill in 1984, she is mourned by children Helmut, Art and Edith, all of St. Catharines, Ont., Ana-Marie Kramer of Ottawa and Herman of Guelph, Ont.; 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was at Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, with Johann Schultz and Henry Penner ministering.

Henry Wiens

Henry Wiens passed away Aug. 25. He was born July 13, 1917 in the Molotschna, Ukraine. His mother led him to the Lord when he was 9. In 1930, he went to live with his uncle in Ebental to attend school, removed from Christian influences for 5 years. After becoming a teacher, he married Ida Moos in 1936. He enrolled at the Pedagogical Institute of Odessa, but was forced to leave after 3 semesters because his father was a preacher. They moved to the Caucasus where he worked as a teacher. Son Ewald was born in 1938. He became a Russian soldier in World War II, was taken prisoner by the Germans, then the English. After 1941, he lost all contact with his family in Russia; they had been deported to Siberia. Years later, he found that his wife had died in 1949. He returned to the MCC refugee camp in Germany, where he worked as a teacher and a laboratory technician. He was baptized July 5, joining the camp congregation. He immigrated to Uruguay in 1951. He was responsible for surveying and dividing the land into family plots, in addition to farming and teaching school. He married Olga Friesen, a Canadian MCC nurse Apr. 4, 1954. Two sons were born to them. They moved to Vancouver in 1955. He worked as a lab technician at the University of British Columbia. They were members of Vancouver MB Church, then Culloden MB Church, where Henry served in music and as recording secretary. He was also leader of Saturday German school. He regained contact with his mother, then son Ewald in 1978, meeting him in 1989. They retired to Abbotsford, B.C., where he joined East Aldergrove, then Bakerview MB Churches. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease late in life. He is remembered for his disciplined life of faith and godliness and for being a devoted husband and father. He is mourned by Olga; sons Ewald of Kazakhstan, Ed and Ernie; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters; and 1 brother.

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