Obituaries
Walter Plett
Walter Plett of Richmond, B.C. passed away Aug. 26. He was born May 19, 1938 to Abram and Sara Plett in Sagradovka, Russia. The family fled to Poland when he was 5, then to Germany. When he was 10, they emigrated to Paraguay, where he accepted Christ. He was baptized in Gnadental, Neuland, joining the MB Church. The family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1956, then moved to Steinbach, Man., joining Steinbach MB Church. He married Lena Penner Aug. 7, 1960. In July, 1965, they moved to B.C., where he worked for Sauder Industries, Door Division for 31 years. He was active in whichever church he attended. He served at various times as deacon, usher, choir member, youth worker, kitchen steward and Sunday school superintendent and in prison ministry and visitation. He suffered from bronchial asthma for 27 years but lived a full and active life. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Lena; children Bernice Rempel, Brenda Talley and Barry; 5 grandchildren; 3 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 30 at Green Timber Evangelical Covenant Church, Surrey, B.C., with Keith Fullerton ministering.
Elfrieda Bergmann
Elfrieda Bergmann passed away Oct. 15. She was born May 14, 1928 in Pigeon Lake, Man. to Sara and Wilhelm W. Schroeder. She discovered faith in Christ at an early age after an intense struggle and was baptized at 16, joining Steinbach (Man.) MB Church. She taught elementary school in Inwood, Man., Friedensruh, Man., Steinbach and Winnipeg. She took a personal interest in each student, often long after she had taught them. She enjoyed the courses she took at the University of Manitoba, especially German literature. She was active in the church, and generously supported various missions, charities and private projects. She prayed faithfully for her family and for missionaries. She married John Bergmann in 1979, welcoming her new role as mother and grandmother. She took a particular interest in the pursuits and accomplishments of the young people in her extended family. John died in 1987. She faced the loss with courage and faith, as she did her own illnesses and frequent hospitalizations. She loved literature, family history, sharing ideas and engaging in conversation. Predeceased by John, she is mourned by daughters Sharon Epp and Deanna Friesen; 4 grandchildren; sisters Sally Isaak and Mary Loewen and brothers William, George, Leonard, Harold and Walter. The funeral was Oct. 18 at Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Roland Marsch ministering.
Agatha Langemann
Agatha Langemann passed away Oct. 16. She was born May 21, 1902 to John J. and Agatha Dyck in Ekatrinoslav, Southern Russia. She accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized July 21, 1917 in Millerova, joining the MB Church. The family immigrated to Drake, Sask. in August, 1923. She married Peter B. Langemann Nov. 28, 1926. They settled on a dairy farm east of Swift Current, Sask. In 1946, they moved into Swift Current. Having been a charter member of Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current since 1934, she participated and took great interest in all the church's activities. She enjoyed her church family, friends, neighbours and family. Gardening, sewing, quilting, reading and travelling were favourite activities. She is remembered for living her faith in God and for her prayer ministry. She was good-natured, offering encouragement and help to family, friends and strangers. She moved into Herbert (Sask.) Senior Citizens' Home in 1983, then to Herbert Nursing Home, Swift Current Regional Hospital and Palliser Regional Care Centre. Predeceased by Peter in 1955, son Arthur in 1976 and 1 grandson, she is mourned by children Edward of Maple, Ont., Mary Horst of Kelowna, B.C., Peter of North York, Ont., Helen Langemann and Susan Gutwin of Swift Current; 3 half-brothers; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 19 at Bridgeway Community Church, with Lorne Willms ministering.
Helen Schroeder
Helen Schroeder of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Oct. 25. She was born Dec. 9, 1923 to Bamfort and Tilda Wells in Pleasantdale, Sask. She accepted Christ in her late teens through the ministry of Mrs. Arthur Tarry of the Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. She graduated from Briercrest Bible Institute in 1946 and became a registered nurse in 1952. She married Edward Schroeder Dec. 13, 1952. They sailed for India 2 months later, serving under The Evangelical Alliance Mission for 30 years. Her ministry was nursing and Bible teaching. They spent the last 5 years as missionaries in Pakistan, where she taught English and ministered to refugees. Edward died in 1989. She longed to continue foreign ministry, but retired due to ill health. Predeceased by Edward, she is mourned by 4 sisters. The memorial service was at Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, with Peter Unrau ministering.
Jacob Peter Suderman
Jacob Peter Suderman passed away Oct. 28. He was born Mar. 19, 1914 in Gnadenheim, Siberia. The family immigrated to Mexico in October, 1925, then to Manitoba in January, 1926. He attended Winkler Bible School. He married Helen Wiebe in Kitchener, Ont. in 1939. He was ordained in 1944 and preached in Kitchener, Leamington, Hespeler and New Hamburg. Education was always an important part of his life. In 1947, they moved to Winnipeg so he could attend Mennonite Brethren Bible College. He also completed high school and entered Provincial Normal School in 1951. He taught at Greenbank School in Rosenort, Man. 1952-1957 and at Linwood and Strathmillan Schools in Winnipeg 1957-1979. While teaching, he was also pastor of Central MB Church for 4 years. He earned a B.A. from the University of Manitoba at 59. During retirement, he served diligently in the German service at Elmwood MB Church and as speaker at Donwood Manor. He enjoyed retirement, spending time with his wife, travelling, bowling and visiting with his children and grandchildren. Predeceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by Helen; children Rita Menzies, Alvin Suderman and Ruth Suderman, all of Winnipeg; 5 grandchildren; 4 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Nov. 1 at Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Abe Klassen and Abe Neufeld ministering.
David Timothy Unruh
David Timothy Unruh passed away Oct. 30. He was born May 1, 1954 to Dr. Henry A. and Esther Unruh in Rossland, B.C. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at 14. The family moved to Kamloops, B.C. in 1968 where he completed high school and college. He earned a degree in electronics from British Columbia Institute of Technology. He accepted an apprenticeship with the B.C. Dept. of Highways as a communications technician and continued until he became ill in September, 1988. During his illness, he was active in a singles group at church, worked faithfully with Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver, and for over a year printed the "Good News for Kids" bulletin for Central Heights MB Church. His desire was to live in God's will and to faithfully serve Him with joy. He deeply loved his family. Predeceased by his father, brother Richard, grandparents Dr. and Mrs. A.H. Unruh and J.A. and Anna Kroeker, he is mourned by his mother; brother Dale; sisters Pamela Gutierrez and Alexandra L'Heureux. The funeral was Nov. 5 at Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Pete Unrau, Ron Redekop and Al McVety ministering.
Helen Pauls
Helen Pauls passed away Nov. 11. She was born in 1904 to Johann and Margareta Toews in Alexandertal, Ukraine. She was baptized and joined the MB Church at 16. She was engaged to David Pauls, but, during immigration to Canada, she was detained in Holland and England for 3 years for medical reasons. They were married Aug. 25, 1925 and farmed in Arnaud, Man. and Coaldale, Alta. before moving to Winnipeg in 1963. They retired to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1972. She was known for her faith in God and the love and hospitality that she exhibited throughout her life. Predeceased by David in 1990, she is mourned by children Helen Dick of Abbotsford, B.C.; John of Calgary, Elfrieda Dick of Calgary, Victor of Richmond, B.C., Margaret Heidebrecht of Calgary and Ernie of Abbotsford; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers. The funeral was Nov. 15 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls and Harry Heidebrecht ministering.
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