Obituaries
Mary Reimer
Mary Reimer passed away Jan. 4. She was born Mar. 6, 1918 to Herman B. and Anna Falk in Arkadak, Russia. Her father died when she was an infant. The family immigrated to Hepburn, Sask. in 1926 where they attended Hepburn MB Church. The family moved to Yarrow, B.C. in 1934. She married Peter Reimer Apr. 11, 1937. Her life revolved around family, gardening and sewing. She was active in volunteer work in the community and church. Her flowers often decorated the church. She was presented with an award of appreciation for her services to the church in 1987. She was baptized in 1985. She loved singing in the German choir. In their retirement years, they enjoyed travelling, baseball games, card games and gardening. They moved to Abbostford, B.C. in 1990. She is remembered for not being afraid to try new things and for her thankfulness in God's goodness. Even during failing health, she maintained a strong spirit and enjoyment of life. She was comforted by Psalm 121. She is mourned by Peter; daughters Betty, Evelyn and Diane; son Ed; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister.
Jacob Alexander Kutz
Jacob Alexander Kutz passed away Feb. 1. He was born in 1903 to Alexander Ivanovich and Vera Evanowna Kutz. He was educated in Mennonite schools in Mariawohl, Gnadenfeld and Halbstadt. He was arrested by revolutionaries in 1921 but escaped after his family traded a few sacks of grain for his freedom. He accepted the Lord as his saviour that year, joining Landskrone Mennonite Church. He immigrated to Canada in 1926. After working at various jobs in Vineland, Ont. ,Beamsville, Ont. and Colonsay, Sask., he settled in Kitchener in 1927. He married Sara Giesbrecht in 1928. He operated a barbershop in Kitchener, Ont. 1931-1992. His barbershop became a gathering place for converstaion and fellowship, with some of his long-time customers returning regularly from other cities. He served the Kitchener MB Church faithfully in many capacities, including secretary for 19 years and treasurer for 14 years. His great love was his work with the Ontario Conference of MB Churches. For 30 years, he was their treasurer, and their annual meetings were a highlight of his year. The bonds which he established with executive members brought him great joy. He moved to Tabor Manor where he continued his interest in church and community service. He was honoured by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario with a Senior Achievement Award in November, 1996. He is remembered as being an example of how to conect faith and life through love. Predeceased by Sara, 3 sisters, 2 brothers and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by children Arthur of Kitchener, Vera Baerg of Cambridge, Ont., Helga Mills of Waterloo, Ont.; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.
Louise Quiring
Louise Quiring passed away Feb. 4. She was born Apr. 12, 1914 to William and Annie Janzen in Steinfeld, Russia. She accepted Christ at age 7. She immigrated to Dundurn, Sask. in 1923 with her stepmother, sister and grandfather. She took accounting at Saskatoon Business College, and studied at Bethany Bible School in Hepburn, Sask. She worked at banks in Hepburn and Edmonton. She was baptized July 29, 1934, joining Saskatoon MB Church. She moved to Hepburn in 1936. She married Elmer Quiring Apr. 18, 1947. She taught primary Sunday school and an adult ladies class which she enjoyed. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1989 and it returned in 1984. She suffered a series of health problems beginning in spring, 1996. She moved to St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit Dec. 19, 1996. Predeceased by 2 stepsisters and 3 stepbrothers, she is mourned by Elmer; son Bruce of St. Laurent, Man.; daughter June Honey of Saskatoon; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 sister; 3 stepsisters and 3 stepbrothers. The funeral was Feb. 7 at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, with Harry Schmidt and Reuben Baerg ministering.
Jacob Klassen
Jacob Klassen passed away Feb. 21. He was born Jan. 14, 1903 in Gruenfeld, Siberia. He married Margaret Falk in 1925; they were married for over 71 years. After fleeing to Moscow in 1929, they immigrated to Canada. He and his brother-in-law rented a farm in Linden, Alta. After feeling a desire to accept the Lord, he invited pastor N. Rempel and other relatives to their farm one Sunday in 1933. During the message, Jake broke into tears and said, "I want to be saved!" He and Margaret both prayed to receive Christ. The Klassens moved to B.C. in 1947, buying a dairy and berry farm. He worked hard and taught his children the same ethic. Failing health caused them to sell the farm and move to Chilliwack. He enjoyed fishing and playing pool. Three things were important to him throughout his life: God, family and church. He is remembered as a hard worker with a soft, warm heart and intense spirituality. He moved to Tabor Home. Predeceased by Margaret in 1996, he is mourned by 5 sons, 6 daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 25 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John Klassen and Peter Dueck ministering.
John Wiebe
John Wiebe passed away Feb. 21. He was born Sept. 16, 1907 to Aron and Maria Wiebe in Tiege, Ukraine. He attended agricultural school. He was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Church. He married Helen Janzen Dec. 27, 1942. They lived in Sagradowka until 1943 when they fled to Germany. They immigrated to Coaldale, Alta., in 1948, then moved to Chilliwack, B.C. where they were baptized. They moved to East Chilliwack in 1957 where he did mixed farming and carpentry work. They retired in 1970 and moved into town. He continued to do carpentry work and commercial janitor work. He enjoyed helping others on the farm and always potted plants for family and especially loved his grape arbor. He built many toys for the grandchildren which they treasure. He enjoyed gardening in spring and summer and woodworking in fall and winter. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, doing puzzles and playing board games and pool. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1990. In late 1995, cancer was diagnosed. After an operation in August, 1996, he was transferred to extended care, then to Tabor Home. Predecased by his first wife Liese, 1 daughter, 2 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Helen; daughters Mary Dyck, Ann McIvor, Linda Turner, Ruth Peters; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 27 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld, George Baier and Peter Dueck ministering.
Cornelius Hiebert
Cornelius Hiebert passed away Feb. 24. He was born Mar. 16, 1921 to Reinhard and Helena Hiebert in Podolsk, Russia. The family immigrated to the Saskatoon area. They later moved to Coaldale, Alta. He accepted Christ in the early 1940s and was baptized, joining Coaldale MB Church. He was always thankful for Nickolas Thiessen who led him to the Lord and corresponded with him for years. He took his relationship with the Lord seriously. He read his Bible every day and supported a number of Christian radio and TV ministries. He loved music and began playing the harmonica in his early teens, often entertaining his younger siblings. The family moved to the Fraser Valley, B.C. in 1945. He worked in Cache Creek, B.C. and Kamloops, B.C. and helped his parents on the farm. In 1959, he had an operation to correct a seizure disorder. However, a brain hemorrhage caused paralysis in the right half of his body. Despite this, he continued to help with chores on his parents' farm. The family moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1972 where he continued to care for his parents. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1976. After his parents died, he moved to Abbotsford in 1980. He lived independently with the help of a homemaker and Meals on Wheels. He loved to listen to radio, TV and cassettes, especially religious programs. He entered Maplewood House in 1991. He moved to Menno Hospital in 1994, but maintained his positive outlook and sense of humour. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 3 sisters, he is mourned by brothers Alfred and John of Calgary, Henry of Chilliwack, B.C.; sisters Annie Friesen of High River, Alta., and Helene Lorimer of Burnaby, B.C. The funeral was Feb. 28 at Clearbrook MB Church with John Klassen, Jay Neufeld and George Baier ministering.
Aganetha Isaak
Aganetha Isaak passed away Feb. 27. She was born Dec. 16, 1905 to Abraham and Susanna Loewen in Dolinsk, Neu Samara, Russia. At 16, she accepted Christ, with guidance from a missionary and family friend. She was baptized that year and became a member of the MB church in her village. She learned unselfishness from her mother who gave away food to hungry village children during the 1920s famine. The family immigrated to Dalmeny, Sask. in 1925. They moved to Demaine, Sask. in 1926. She married Peter Isaak Mar. 27, 1927. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. in 1941, then moved to Abbotsford, B.C. She was known for her hospitality; visitors always left with a full stomach and a bag of cookies. She loved gardening and knitting. She faithfully sent cards on special occassions with a personal note and Bible verse. She loved the Lord and her family. She spent many hours reading her Bible and praying that each family member would experience the love, joy and peace of God. Predeceased by Peter, 2 infants and son Jake, she is mourned by Susan Bartsch, Elsie Lyste, Helen Diggins, Peter, Doanld, John, Carol Amendt; 20 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 4 at Clearbrook MB Church, with pastors Jay Neufeld, John E. Klassen and Geroge Baier ministering.
Nick Dueck
Nick Dueck passed away Mar. 4. He was born Mar. 2, 1908 to Dietrich and Anna Dueck in Alexanderwohl, Russia. He was nine years old when his father died in 1917 of diabetes. After 8 years his mother married Peter Peters and the family immigrated to Canada.. Nick went to high school in Gretna, Man. He married Annie Suderman Apr. 3, 1932. They moved to Gem, Alta. and joined Gem MB Church, where they remained members throughout their married lives. He was active in Gem Church, conducting the choir for many years. He cared deeply for the spirityal welfare of his choir members and even into his retirment prayed regularly for the youth Gem MB Church. He also served as deacon and adult Sunday School teacher, which he really enjoyed. He will be remembered for his generosity, dedication to his family and to his church and for his keen sense of humour, wich he never lst. He made friends easily and accumulated many friends in the communities of Gem, Rosemary and Bassano. Predeceased by his wife, Annie, one son, Herman and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by 1 sister, daughters Irene Wiens, Leona Dueck and Edna Kehler; 8 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Helena Dueck
Helena Dueck passed away Mar. 11. She was born July 28, 1918 to Henry and Katherine Kasper in Kistendej, Russia. She came close to death with scarlet fever. She was very ill and crippled for many months. She recovered, but still had a poor hip and limp. The family immigrated to Canada when she was 6. They lived at Rosthern for 1 year, then moved to Truax, Sask. She accepted Christ at age 15 and was baptized the following year. About this time, her 7-year-old brother drowned, and she often spoke of him. She married Bernhard Dueck May 26, 1938. They moved to Minto, Man. in 1946, then moved to Dunrea, Man. until 1980. She is remembered as a gentle, quiet, contented person and somewhat of a perfectionist, especially with cleaning. She loved gardening and baking. She enjoyed visiting with her sister Katie and family who lived just down the road. Her great passion was music; gospel songs and readings always encouraged her. Even when she became unable to communicate, she mouthed the words of many hymns. Her greatest concern was that each of family develop a relationship with God. She enjoyed family get-togethers, sewing, teaching Sunday school, friendship Bible Study and community ladies group, and camping at Clear Lake. They retired to Killarney in 1980. Alzheimer's disease began to impair her thinking and abilities in 1986. They moved to Boissevain Evergreen Place in 1993. Predeceased by Berhard in 1994, brother Johnny in 1935 and an infant brother and sister, she is mourned by children John, Henry, Ruth Stone, Elfrieda Lepp, Ben, Wern, and Darlene Fuller; 19 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. The funeral was Mar. 14 at Boissevain MB Church.
Isaak H. Block
Isaak H. Block passed away Mar. 20. He was born May 24, 1905 to Henry and Katherina Block in Egoropol, Ukraine. The family moved to Arkadak, Russia in 1911. He experienced spiritual rebirth Feb. 7, 1919 in response to his father's preaching. He was baptized June 7, 1921, joining Arkadak MB Church. He committed himself to a life of preaching and service to God in 1925. He immigrated to Borden, Sask. in 1926. He married Ella Derksen June 8, 1930 and they farmed in Borden. He was ordained to the ministry in 1944. He served as pastor of Borden MB Church while farming. He was heavily involved in outreach mission work in the Borden district, and in MCC work throughout Saskatchewan.
They moved to Dalmeny, Sask. in 1966, where he was administrator of the Dalmeny Home for the Aged. He was instrumental in the conception, construction and establishment of Menno Home in Waldheim. Her sevedfor many years on the Reference and Council committee of theNorth Saskatchewan MB District and various Canadian MB Conference committees. They moved to Saskatoon in 1974 where he served as chaplain in Saskatoon hospitals on behalf of the MB conference for 5-and-a-half years. He is remembered for modelling godliness, humility, faith and dedication to the Lord. Predeceased by all his siblings, infant son Peter, infant daughter Anna and 1 great-granddaughter, he is mourned by Ella; children Albert, Geroge, Rosella, Isaac, John, Henry, Neil, Reuben, Daniel, David, Benjamin, Arthur and Harold; 47 grandchildren; and 54 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 24 at Hope Fellowship Church, Saskatoon, with Otto Derksen and John Block ministering.
Correction:
Jacob Klassen
The obituary of Jacob Klassen which appeared in the Mar. 7, 1997 MBH should have contained the following information.
Jacob Klassen of Clearbrook, B.C. was predeceased by grandson Gregory Warkentin in 1978. He is mourned by wife Lena; son Andrew, daughters Ingrid, Irma, Marianne, Madelene and Nancy; and 4 grandchildren.
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