Obituaries
David E. Redekop
David E. Redekop of Winnipeg passed away Mar. 5. He was born in 1917 in Kronstal, Ukraine.
The family immigrated to Kelstern, Sask. in 1923. David dedicated his life to the Lord in 1929 at
a Canadian Sunday School Mission camp. After several crop failures, the family moved to
Winkler, Man. He attended Winkler Bible Institute. He married Kay Hiebert in 1942, a union
blessed with 5 children. In 1945, he founded Redekop Electric Co. Ltd. He served with the
Electical Contractors Association and Builders Exchange and was a member of the Fire Advisory,
Trade Advisory and Labour Apprenticeship Boards. He was a founding member of Camp Arnes
in 1949. He was heavily involved in the South End/Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, serving
as Sunday school superintendent for 21 years, moderator for 14 years, and founder of the Super
Seniors ministry. He also held key leadership positions in the Manitoba and Canadian MB
Conferences, Christian Businessmen International and Gideons, travelling extensively on their
behalf. He was a tireless worker. In 1971, Kay was killed in a traffic accident. In 1972, David
married Kay's sister Anne Pauls, who brought 4 children to the marriage. Predeceased by Kay, 5
brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Anne, children David A., Kathy Allison, Charlotte
Holland, Marlene Wiens, Edward, Betty Ann Reimer, Sharon Channer, Waldo Pauls and Bonnie
Rempel. The funeral was Mar. 9 at Portage Ave. MB Church, with Roland Marsch officiating.
Irene Klassen
Irene Klassen passed away July 13, 1995. She was born Mar. 27, 1954 to Henry and Katie Dueck
in Friesland, Paraguay. She accepted Christ in her early teens and was baptized at Culloden MB
Church, Vancouver, in 1968. At 19, she lost her mother to breast cancer. She married Edwin
Klassen Aug. 12, 1972. In January, 1994, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. After two major
surgeries, Irene and her husband went on a trip to Arizona to recover, and the family spent a final
holiday together in Hawaii. Through all the pain and suffering, her faith in God remained her
anchor. The last words to her husband and children were, "Always remember that I love you very
much." She had looked forward to seeing her children marry Christian partners and to see her
grandchildren. Predeceased by 1 sister, she is mourned by Edwin; children Jason, Jeffrey, Tracy;
father Henry Dueck; stepmother Elizabeth Dueck; and 1 sister. The funeral was July 15 at
Kennedy Heights MB Church, with Ken Dyck and Paul Unger ministering.
Benjamin Redekopp
Benjamin Redekopp passed away Feb. 16. He was born Oct. 19, 1904 to Benjamin and Susanna
Redekopp in Petrovka, Ukraine. His mother died 3 months later, and he was raised by a number
of different relatives. His father married Helena Falk; they had 5 children. When he was 20, his
father died of typhoid. He managed the family farm for his stepmother while the rest of his family
emigrated to North America. He married Antonia Kusmenko July 19, 1927. He accepted Christ
at 21. He was later baptized, joining the MB Church in 1928. He had a strong Christian
commitment and lived with integrity. When estates were collectivised, he worked in nearby cities
to escape being sent to Siberia. He and his family fled to Germany in 1943 and immigrated to
Canada in 1949. He worked as a farm labourer in St. Davids, Ont. and bought a house 5 years
later in St. Catharines, Ont. He worked in construction until retirement. He became the first paid
employee at Tabor Manor, where he worked as a maintenance man, becoming known as "the man
who could fix anything". He worked there 14 years, retiring at 77. He served joyfully in church
committees and on the board of Higher Christian Education. He is remembered as a generous,
resourceful man who always sought to help others and use his gifts for God's service. Cancer was
diagnosed in January 1996; he died 3 weeks later. Predeceased by Antonia in 1992 and all his
siblings, he is mourned by children Alex of Bangladesh, Laura Unger and Elly Pauls of
Abbotsford, Irene London of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.; and 7 grandchildren. The funeral was
Feb. 22 at Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, with Walter Unger, Rudie Willms and Henry
Penner ministering.
Katie Lautermilch
Katie Lautermilch of Medicine Hat, Alta. passed away Dec. 18 at age 91. She is mourned by
husband Albert; children Edwin and Alvin of Calgary, Gordon of Woodrow, Sask. and Janice
Enns of Vernon, B.C.; 8 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The
funeral was Dec. 20 at Crestwood MB Church in Medicine Hat, with Mark Jantzen ministering.
Anne Dirksen
Anne Dirksen passed away Feb. 23. She was born May 21, 1924 to Henry and Anna Pauls in
southern Ukraine. The family immigrated to McMahon, Sask. in 1924. She attended high school
in Swift Current, Sask. and teacher's college in Moose Jaw, Sask. She taught school in the
Gravelbourg, Sask. for 1 year, then moved to Abbotsford, B.C. She committed her life to the
Lord in her teens and was a member of South Abbotsford and Fraserview MB Churches. In 1949,
she married Jake Dirksen. After their son was 6, she taught in Surrey, B.C. for 22 years. After
retirement, they spent 9 winters in Mesa, Arizona. She enjoyed music, reading, crafts, volunteer
work and shopping. She supported her family's musical endeavours. She was thankful for the
blessings and love she received. Predeceased by 2 brothers, she is mourned by Jake; son Dan; 5
sisters and 2 brothers.
Alison Elizabeth Koop
Alison Elizabeth Koop passed away Jan. 10. She was born Dec. 9, 1994 to Jerry and Lil Koop in
Grimsby, Ont. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease, she had major heart surgery at 3 days old.
She lived a relatively normal, healthy life for more than a year. She was a lovable girl remembered
for her big blue eyes, long eyelashes and shy, friendly smile. Her health declined in December,
1995; she underwent emergency surgery Jan. 9, 1996. She is mourned by her parents; sister
Jennifer; grandparents John and Elizabeth Wall and Walter and Mary Koop. The funeral was Jan.
13 at Vineland, Ont. MB Church, with Henry Wiebe ministering.
Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 8
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