Obituaries
Isaak J. Braun
Isaak J. Braun passed away Jan. 25. He was born Apr. 1, 1909 in the Ukraine and grew up in Arkadak. The family immigrated to Canada in 1924. He married Mary Koslowsky in 1931. He accepted salvation through Christ in the summer of 1931 and was baptized, joining Niverville (Man.) MB Church. He and Mary served as a deacon couple in Niverville MB Church. They farmed near Niverville. He was trustee in the Niverville and Hanover school districts for 12 years. They moved to Winnipeg in 1962 where he was employed at Loewen Funeral Home and Silverman Jewelers until retirement. They served as a deacon couple in Portage Ave. MB Church. He also was a member of the Donwood Manor Board. He was diagnosed with cancer in December, 1996. He is remembered for his faith in God, bright encouraging smile and his sense of humour. Predeceased by 5 siblings and 1 grandson, he is mourned by Mary; children John, Irene Enns, Peter, Eleanor Steiner, Irmgard Baerg and Connie Epp; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Jan. 29 at Portage Ave. MB Church.
Georgina Marie Sawatsky
Georgina Marie Sawatsky passed away Feb. 18. She was born July 23, 1913 to Jacob and Maggie Brown in Didsbury, Alta. A childhood virus affected her heart and eventually caused her death. She accepted Christ when she was young. She was baptized and joined Didsbury Bergthal Mennonite Church at 17. She married Cornelius John Sawatsky in November, 1936. She helped provide a secure and loving home for their children. They eventually moved to Prince George, B.C., then Vanderhoof, B.C. She is mourned by Cornelius; daughters Marjorie Mendiola of Surrey, B.C. Elsie Archer of Didsbury, Diana Waller of Calgary and Janice Ramsay of Procter,B.C.; sons Steve, Mark and Jim, all of Vanderhoof; 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 21 at Nechako Community Church, Vanderhoof, with Hugo Reimer ministering.
Agatha (Agnes) Fast
Agatha (Agnes) Fast passed away Feb. 26. She was born Oct. 24, 1903 to Bernhard and Susanna Fast in Dawlekanovo, Russia. She loved to sing in choirs wherever she could. The family immigrated to Waskada, Man. in 1925. She asked the Lord to be her Saviour as a young adult. She was baptized in Boissevain, Man. She moved to Winnipeg with her mother and sisters in 1934. She worked as a housekeeper and seamstress until retiring in 1968. She joined Central MB Church, which joined Elmwood MB Church in 1995. She was a faithful member. She suffered a stroke in 1992. She had part of her right leg amputated in February, 1996. In September, she moved to Donwood Manor. She is remembered as a loving, caring person who loved children and had a wonderful sense of humour. She enjoyed life and serving her Lord. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by sisters Katie Heidebrecht of Abbotsford, B.C. and Lydia Fast of Winnipeg.
Agnes Peters Guenther
Agnes Peters Guenther passed away Mar. 2. She was born Oct. 29, 1907 to Johann and Helena Wiens in Russia. The family immigrated to Winnipeg in 1926. She married Frank Peters Sept. 15, 1934. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. in the early 1940s. In 1951, they moved to Vancouver, where they attended Vancouver MB Church and later Fraserview MB Church. She participated in the ladies sewing circle and catered for weddings. She loved to cook for her family and enjoyed crafts such as ceramics and needlework. Frank died May 17, 1973. She moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1974, joining Bakerview MB Church. She married John A. Guenther in January, 1982. She enjoyed travelling and visiting relatives in the following years. They moved to Tabor Home in 1992. She had a remarkable memory which she kept till the end. She is remembered for her faith, love and thankfulness. Predeceased by all her siblings, first husband Frank Peters and 1 grandson, she is mourned by John; sons Rudy, Victor, Herbert and Garry; 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and 4 step-children. The funeral was Mar. 5 at Bakerview MB Church, with Peter Dueck, Henry Thiessen, Henry Epp and John Neufeld ministering.
Fred James Edwards
Fred James Edwards passed away Mar. 13. He was born Sept. 1, 1927 in Rocky Mountain House, Alta. The family moved to Calgary when he was 10. He accepted the Lord at age 10 while attending a Baptist Bible camp. He served for two-and-a-half years in the army, then settled in Calgary. He married May on Dec. 4, 1948. They were active in the United Church. He worked for Calgary Transit for 33-and-a-half years, then retired to Vanderhoof, B.C. In 1990, he attended a service at Nechako Community Church in Vanderhoof and found it moving. He continued to attend there and found the services meaningful. He enjoyed the warmth, love and fellowship of the members. Predeceased by son Milton, he is mourned by May; daughter Joan Muller of Vanderhoof; and 2 grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 17 at Nechako Community Church, with Hugo Reimer ministering.
Starr Lois Goerzen
Starr Lois Goerzen passed away Mar. 27. She was born July 7, 1954 to Lyman and Wilma Wilder in Baraboo, Wis. She accepted Jesus into her heart as a young child. She grew up in Lake Villa, Ill., but also lived in Thetis Island, B.C. where her parents served as missionaries. They moved to Idaho when she was 12. On June 13, 1970, her parents and her sister Carol were killed in a car accident near Calgary. Her uncle and aunt, Jesse and Rosella Wilder of Moscow, Idaho, took in Starr and her 7 siblings although they had 12 children of their own. She graduated from Prairie High School in 1973, then from Prairie Bible Institute in 1977 with a diploma in general Christian ministries. She served summer assignments with Operation Mobilization in Italy, Child Evangelism Fellowship in Toronto and Camp Silversides in Bentley, Alta. She married Harold Goerzen Aug. 26, 1978. They moved to Lethbridge, Alta. In 1984 they began work with HCJB World Radio in Quito, Ecuador, where she served in hospitality, serving visitors. She also managed the Reuben E. Larson Conference Center. She formed many close friendships while there, leading some local people to Christ. She was known for her outstanding cross-stitch work. The Goerzens were transferred to HCJB's headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. in January, 1996. She was diagnosed with acute leukemia June 15, 1996. She underwent repeated chemotherapy treatments and had a bone marrow transplant Mar. 14, but was unable to recover. She is remembered for her constant desire to serve the Lord. Predeceased by her parents and 2 sisters, she is mourned by Harold; children Chad and Carol; adopted parents Jesse and Rosella Wiler of Moscow, Idaho; and 18 siblings. The funeral was Mar. 31 in Moscow, Idaho; a memorial service was held in Quito, Ecuador April 2; memorial services were also held at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church and Austin Bluffs Evangelical Free Church in Colorado Springs Apr. 6.
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