Obituaries
Frank George Driedger
Frank George Driedger passed away Jan. 10. He was born Nov. 30, 1909 in Herbert, Sask. He married Elsie Rempel in 1935. They farmed in Main Centre, Sask. until 1952, then farmed near LaGlace, Alta. for 23 years. He was involved in the community and the LaGlace Bible Fellowship Church. His love of life was evidenced by his many friends. In 1975, they retired to Grande Prairie, Alta. and enjoyed many years of travelling. In 1994, they moved to Pioneer Lodge in Grande Prairie. Although his health continued to decline, he did not complain, but always showed his concern for others. He is mourned by Elsie; sons Ken and Bob; daughters Verna Haugan and Joyce Toews; 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 13 at Grande Prairie Funeral Chapel, with Peter Boschman and Victor Zacharias ministering.
Henry Loewen
Henry Loewen passed away Mar. 26. He was born Dec. 14, 1929 to Henry and Elizabeth Loewen in Ukraine. During World war II, his father was taken away, and the family fled to Germany. Henry was separated from his family, but they were reunited in 1945 in Germany. He accepted the Lord at 18 and immediately began studying the Bible with joy. He was baptized in 1947, joining the MB church in Gronau. The family immigrated to Chilliwack, B.C. in 1948, where he joined Broadway MB Church. He worked on the farm and did a variety of outside jobs to help support the family. He attended East Chilliwack Bible School for 1 year. He moved to Vancouver where he found a job and attended night school. Soon after, he joined 43rd Ave. MB Church. He married Frieda Loewen in 1958. They moved to Abbotsford, B.C. where he began an ornamental iron business which lasted 30 years. They joined East Aldergrove MB Church. He willingly served in church in various capacities. He is remembered as a loving husband and devoted father, encouraging his children to walk with the Lord and teaching by example. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1994, but continued to draw daily strength from God's Word. He faced death as he faced life, knowing God was in control. He is mourned by Frieda; daughters Marilyn Herrett of Abbotsford, Janice Siemens of Kelowna, B.C. and Arlene Doherty of Texas; son Jeff of Abbotsford; 8 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 29 at East Aldergrove MB Church, with John Nikkel and Art Isaac ministering.
Liese Friesen
Liese Friesen passed away Apr. 21. She was born Oct. 17, 1897 to Peter and Helen Huebner in Alexanderkrone, Ukraine. She committed her life to Christ as a child, and was baptized, joining the MB Church. She married Cornelius Friesen Nov. 10, 1921. In 1924, they immigrated to Rosthern, Sask., then moved to LaGlace, Alta. They farmed until 1968, when Cornelius was killed in a car accident. She moved to Beaverlodge, Alta. to live with her children. In 1973, she moved back to the farm, where she lived in a trailer. She moved to Sunshine Plaza in LaGlace in 1985, to Hythe and District Pioneer Home in 1992 and to Hythe Nursing Home in 1994. She was optimistic, even in difficult times. She was always concerned about the physical and spiritual welfare of her children and grandchildren. Predeceased by Cornelius, 2 daughters and 1 son in infancy, and son Victor in 1994, she is mourned by sons Corney, Menno and David; daughters Elizabeth Wideman, Madeline Parlee; 18 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 25 at LaGlace Bible Fellowship Church, with Henry Willms ministering.
Paul Neufeld
Paul Neufeld passed away May 7. He was born Apr. 7, 1917 to Peter and Tina Neufeld in Hodgeville, Sask. He committed his life to Christ in his teens and attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School. In 1942, he moved to Richmond, B.C.; he worked in the family dairy business. He married Nettie Giesbrecht Feb. 24, 1945. In 1960, he became a chartered life underwriter with Mutual Life of Canada. He and Nettie were active charter members of Vancouver MB Church, Fraserview MB Church and Richmond Bethel MB Church, where they served as deacons. He also served many years as an elder. He is remembered as a family man, an encourager and a great lover of music, nature and travelling. He loved people and enjoyed entertaining and hosting Bible studies in his home. His favourite verse was Psalm 32:8. Predeceased by 3 siblings, he is mourned by Nettie; children Gordon, Gwen Edwards, Rod, and Cathy Warkentin; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
Kathrina Giesbrecht
Kathrina Giesbrecht passed away May 9. She was born Mar. 5, 1899 to Klass and Maria Thiessen in Blumstein, Man. The family moved to Wymark, Sask. in 1923. She was baptized in 1918 at the GC Mennonite Church in Winkler, Man. She married George Giesbrecht July 17, 1927. They lived in Rush Lake, Sask., Wymark, Sask. and Swift Current, Sask. 1928-38. They bought a homestead near Pierceland, Sask., moving to Saskatoon in 1956. George died in 1973. She then moved to Edmonton, to Westview Pioneer Lodge in Waldheim, Sask. in 1991 and to Rosthern (Sask.) Mennonite Nursing Home in 1992. She enjoyed daily prayer and devotions. She read the Bible cover to cover many times. She is remembered as being patient, kind, grateful, uncomplaining and generous, giving unselfishly to family, missions and churches. She particularly enjoyed visits from family and friends, for whom she prayed daily. Predeceased by George, 1 sister and son Jacob in 1988, she is mourned by children Mary, Susan, George, Anne and Neil; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 13 in Waldheim MB Church with Otto Derksen and Clarence Peters ministering.
Tena Giesbrecht Dirks
Tena Giesbrecht Dirks passed away May 16. She was born June 3, 1914 to Abram and Helena Toews in Carpenter, SD. The family moved to Lustre, Mont. when she was 2. She accepted Jesus at 14 during revival services and was baptized 2 years later, joining Lustre MB Church. She attended Lustre Bible School for 2 years, then Hepburn (Sask.) Bible School. She taught Daily Vacation Bible School in northern Saskatchewan. She married George Giesbrecht Sept. 26, 1941. They worked for the Western Children's Mission in Hague Ferry, Sask. until George's health failed. He died in 1951 in Abbotsford, B.C. She raised 4 children alone, sacrificing to send them to MEI. She found comfort in Psalm 55:22. She loved to bake, winning prizes at local fairs. She worked as a cook at MB Bible Institute. She also enjoyed quilting, church activities and volunteer work at the Community Services thrift shop. Her faith was tested during a brief second marriage and several periods of depression. She claimed II Corinthians 12:9. She moved to Menno Home in 1988 where she wrote for the newsletter, served as vice-president and president of the residents' council, sang in the choir, served on the food committee and joined the poetry and gardening clubs. She is remembered as loving, kind and courageous. Predeceased by George, 1 brother, 2 sisters and 1 grandson, she is mourned by children Norman of Toronto, Vernon of Gibsons, B.C., Wesley of Smithers, B.C. and Violet of Jaco Beach, Costa Rica; 6 grandchildren; 1 brother; 8 sisters; and husband George Dirks of Kelowna, B.C. The funeral was May 21 at Bakerview MB Church, Clearbrook, with Henry Thiessen ministering.
Gerry MacRae
Gerry MacRae was killed May 16. She was born Nov. 13, 1951 in Vancouver. She grew up in Vancouver and graduated from high school. She had an independent mind and was always bringing home stray animals, showing her compassion for life. She loved children and enjoyed babysitting. She married Bill Macrae Dec. 27, 1978. They lived in Prince George, B.C. for a few years, then in Surrey, B.C. and Abbotsford, B.C. She had worked at several jobs, then did very well as a realtor, being in the top 10 sellers in Abbotsford in her first 2 years. She was led to Christ by a friend, was baptized and joined Northview Community Church in Abbotsford. She worked hard to restore her crumbling marriage and remained optimistic. She is remmebered as a loving, gentle mother and friend. She is mourned by her 5 children; 3 stepchildren; sister Lois Code and brother Wayne. The funeral was May 21 in Northview Community Church.
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