Obituaries

Frank Warkentin

Frank Warkentin passed away Apr. 10 in Summerland, B.C. He was born June 18, 1919 to Cornelues and Katherine Warkentin in Arkadak, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1925. He grew up near Margaret, Man. In 1941, the family moved to Vancouver, where he worked in the shipyards. In 1943 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force for 3 years. He then worked on Vancouver-Alaska cruise ships, at saw mills, as a floor layer and at the Bennett Dam in Fort St. John, B.C. He married Helen Gerbrant in 1949. In 1969, he moved the family to Peachland, B.C., where he worked for the Department of Highways until retirement. He surrendered his will to Jesus and shared his joy in Him with those who came for visits. He lived out Romans 10:9. Predeceased by 3 brothers in infancy in Russia, 1 sister and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by Helen, sons Brian, Stanley and Ken; 6 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 5 sisters.

Henry H. Redekop

Henry H. Redekop passed away suddenly June 17 while inspecting his hay crop. He was born Sept. 6, 1928 in Main Centre, Sask. He was baptized at Main Centre MB Church. He attended Herbert (Sask.) Bible School, graduating after 3 years. He married Anne Andres Dec. 17, 1952. They homesteaded near Herbert. He loved to travel and took his family on many trips to Alberta and B.C. He drove school bus for the Herbert School District for 30 years. He served as usher and member of the food committee for Herbert MB Church for many years. They sold their farm and moved to Swift Current, Sask. in June, 1995. He enjoyed spending time with friends and working on jigsaw puzzles. He loved Christmas. He was known for his willingness to drop whatever he was doing to help someone in need. He is remembered as a quiet, gentle, contented man who loved his family. Predeceased by 2 brothers, he is mourned by Anne; sons Garry and Bryan of Herbert; daughters Angela Hasfer of Malta, Mont. and Teresa Nelson of LacPelletier, Sask.; 5 grandchildren; and 3 brothers. The funeral was June 21 at Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Lorne Willms and Gene White ministering.

Mary Wiens

Mary Wiens passed away July 11. She was born Feb. 16, 1902 to Abraham and Marie Reimer in Wiesenfeld, Russia. At 13, she left school to help out at home. She accepted Christ at 14, with the help of her mother. At 16, she was baptized and joined the MB Church. They moved several times before settling in Kuban. They immigrated to Rosthern, Sask. in 1924. She married Willie Wiens Dec. 7, 1924. They moved to a farm near Humboldt, Sask. In 1931, they moved to Sardis, B.C., joining Greendale MB Church. In 1945, they bought a dairy farm in Matsqui, B.C., joining Matsqui MB Church. In 1963, they retired to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. Family devotions and involvement in ministry were always important to them. She was a charter member of Bakerview MB Church. Willie died in 1976. She sold the house and moved to a condominium, returning to Clearbrook MB Church. She later moved to Tabor Home and Menno Hospital in Abbotsford, B.C. Predeceased by Willie, son Alfred and 2 grandchildren, she is mourned by daughters Mary Schmidt of Abbotsford, Leona Klassen of Abbotsford, Rita Klassen of Matsqui, Ruth Martens of Hong Kong, Amy Kroeker of Terrace, B.C.; son Bill Wiens of Sardis; 29 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers and 4 sisters. The funeral was at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, John E. Klassen and Ray Wiens ministering.

Cornelius Rempel

Cornelius Rempel passed away July 13. He was born Apr. 20, 1923 to Jacob and Anna Rempel in Gruenfeld, Russia. The family immigrated to Saskatchewan in 1923, later moving to Hochfeld, Man., then Kaleida, Man. He was baptized by H.H. Goossen and attended Manitou (Man.) MB Church. He went to Winkler Bible School for a year. He worked on farms near Chilliwack, B.C. as a conscientious objector during the war. He married Margaret Voth on Mar. 10, 1946. They had two daughters and adopted another. He worked various jobs, mostly in construction. They attended Broadway MB Church in Chilliwack. In 1963, they bought a farm on Fairfield Island. He developed a serious lung problem, and in 1970 the farm was sold. He was a partner in a business venture until Margaret suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1975. He worked for B.C. Baptist Housing in Vancouver 1976-87. In 1986, cancer was diagnosed. He suffered much at times, but his testimony and faith remained intact. He is mourned by Margaret; daughters Marilyn Hiebert, Darlene Neufeld and Jennifer Martin; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and 2 sisters. The funeral was July 11 at Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Pete Unrau, Henry Wiebe and Harry Engstrom ministering.

Elizabeth Schmor

Elizabeth Schmor passed away July 27. She was born Jan. 31, 1920 to David and Katharina Goertzen in Waldheim, Russia. The family immigrated to Mexico in 1926, then to Manitoba, finally moving to Ontario in 1938. She was baptized in Vineland, Ont. Sept. 4, 1938. She married Jake Schmor Oct. 13, 1940. She was a homemaker who is remembered for her love of family and friends. She is mourned by Jake; children Arthur, Carol Thomas, Larry and John; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 4 sisters. The funeral was July 30 at Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont.

Elizabeth Penner

Elizabeth Penner passed away Aug. 1. She was born Nov. 28, 1911 to Richard and Maria Baumgart in Schoenwald, Kries-Kreuzberg, Upper Selesia, Germany. The family immigrated to Canada in 1927. She married Jacob John Penner Oct. 11, 1929 in Manitou, Man. She is remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends, her non-judgemental nature and her love of nature. Her deep faith was evidenced by her love for God's Word and constant prayers for those around her. Predeceased by Jacob in 1988, 2 young children and 1 brother, she is mourned by children Leonhard, Jacob, Gerhard, Elizabeth Isaak, Albert, John, Marie Friesen, Bernice Enns, Ruth Dyck and Eric; 39 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Aug. 6 at Winkler (Man.) MB Church, with George Baerg and Jake Froese ministering.

Ella Klassen

Ella Klassen passed away Aug. 9. She was born Aug. 17, 1921 to Daniel and Susie Hoppe in Klumenkov, Orenberg, Russia. When she was 5, the family immigrated to Lethbridge, Alta. They moved to Greendale, B.C. in 1930. Though she wanted to become a nurse, she left school after grade 8 to go to work. She accepted the Lord in her early teens. She married George Klassen Aug. 6, 1944. They lived in Vancouver for a year, then moved back to Greendale. She rededicated her life at an evangelistic meeting led by Rev. Wiebe. She, George and her sons were baptized May 23, 1963, joining Greendale MB Church. She expressed her faith with Ps. 37:4-5. She helped in the kitchen, at sewing bees and on the funeral hosting committee. She worked in the home, picked hops, grew beans and raised chickens; worked seasonally at York Farms for 12 years; and kept books for George's trucking business. She enjoyed her flowers and garden, and going to garage sales with her sister. She spent many hours cooking and baking. She collected old china and glassware. They enjoyed trips to visit relatives. She met with her sisters often for lunch and conversation. She was involved in the Atchelitz Thresherman's Association. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1989, but with treatment, she resumed her busy life. The cancer returned in 1995. She drew on God's strength and her family's support throughout her struggle. She is remembered for her generous spirit, always finding time to help family, neighbours and friends. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by George; sons Jim of Langley, B.C. and Harvey of Rosedale, B.C.; 6 grandchildren; and 4 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 13 at Greendale MB Church, with Rusty Reimer and Len Doerksen ministering.

Helen Heppner

Helen Heppner passed away Aug. 15. She was born Feb. 28, 1915 to John and Anna Janzen in Bobrov, Russia. After her father's death, she immigrated to Winkler, Man. in 1925 with her mother and 3 siblings. She accepted Christ at 13. Her mother married Isaac B. Enns of Hepburn, Sask. in 1933. The following year, Helen moved to Hepburn, where she was baptized, joining Hepburn MB Church. She married Peter F. Heppner Oct. 18, 1934, and they moved to a farm near Hepburn. In 1967, they retired from farming and moved back to Hepburn. She baked, cooked, knitted, crocheted and sewed. She enjoyed quilting with the church ladies, and working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Despite failing health. She never complained and remained devoted to her family and to the Lord. She often spent time praying and reading her Bible. She moved to Pineview Manor in Rosthern, Sask. Aug. 13 but died of heart failure two days later. Predeceased by daughter Joyce in 1984, 2 sisters and 1 brother, she is mourned by Peter; daughters Deanna Krug and Ellie Klassen; son Eldon; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Aug. 19 at Hepburn MB Church, with Rod Ens and Ben Heppner ministering.

Tina Wichert

Tina Wichert of Virgil, Ont. passed away Aug. 19. She had had heart problems for some years. Predeceased by son Bill in 1994, she is mourned by her husband Henry; children Ron of Niagara Falls, Ont., Ginny Wiens of St. Catharines, Ont., Bob of Niagara Falls and Pat Friesen of St. Catharines; 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 22 at Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., with Victor Loewen ministering.

Margaret Lang

Margaret (Fehr) Lang passed away Aug. 19 after a battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 23, 1924 in Waldheim, Sask. She was a member of Mountview MB Church in Stoney Creek, Ont. For health reasons, she moved to Welland, Ont., to be closer to her daughter. Predeceased by her husband Henry, 1 sister and 2 brothers, she is mourned by children Ronald Lang of Toronto and Jo-Anne Coverdale of Welland; 5 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Aug. 22 at Mountview MB Church, with Walter Enns ministering.

Frank Janzen

Frank Janzen passed away Sept. 3. He was born June 19, 1915 to Peter and Ida Janzen in Mennon, Sask. During the Depression the family moved to southern Saskatchewan, then returned to Langham and Dalmeny, Sask. He accepted Christ Feb. 17, 1931 and was baptized Aug. 18, 1932. He attended Bethany Bible Institute 1939-1944. He worked as maintenance man at BBI and worked on farms near Borden, Sask. He moved to Langley, B.C. in 1947 and bought a small strawberry farm. He married Mary Matties Jan. 28, 1951. After his strawberries were destroyed by frost, they moved to Vancouver, attending Vancouver (43rd Ave.) MB Church and later Willingdon MB Church. He worked for Canadian Bedding for 24 years. He was active in church, serving as parking attendant for several years. After retiring in 1980, they moved to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Bakerview MB Church. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. However, they were able to travel to the Maritimes, Palm Springs, Calif. and Alaska. He moved to the Tabor Home in 1990 and to Menno Hospital in 1993. He enjoyed visiting with his children, and prayed faithfully for his family. He is remembered for his quiet, consistent Christian life and soft-spoken, patient nature. Predeceased by 2 sisters and 1 brother, he is mourned by Mary; children Caroline Thurley, Laurinda Krause, Valeria Pollard and Greg Janzen; 14 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 3 brothers.

Agatha Nachtigal

Agatha Nachtigal passed away Sept. 5. She was born in 1934 to Peter and Maria Goertz in Crowfoot, Alta. When she was 3, the family moved to Lindbrook, Alta. where she went to school. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in her teens. She married Henry Nachtigal Apr. 25, 1954. She took a Certified Nursing Assistant course and worked at the Tofield (Alta.) Hospital until asthma forced her to retire. Predeceased by 1 brother, she is mourned by Henry; sons Ken of Spruce Grove, Alta., Darrell of Edmonton, Doug of Tofield, Alvin of Edmonton, Ivan of Tofield and Ernie of Edmonton; 10 grandchildren; 4 brothers and 4 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 9 at Tofield Gospel Chapel, with David Dyck ministering.

Andrew Todd Peters

Predeceased by grandparents Frank Peters and Paul and Elna Paulson, Andy is mourned by parents Vic and Mary Peters; brother Jeffrey and Michael; and grandmother Agnes Peters Guenther. This is a correction to an obituary carried Aug. 30. We are sorry for any pain our error has caused the family. Ed.

Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 20 Home Page