Obituaries
Jacob Henry Voth
Jacob Henry Voth passed away Apr. 14. He was born Dec. 10, 1910 to Heinrich and Susanna Voth in Neukirch, Ukraine. He immigrated to Canada in 1947 and married Katie Zissman in 1949. They gave their lives to the Lord and joined South Abbotsford MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. in 1954. Katie died in 1994. Jacob cared for her unselfishly during her preceding illness. He enjoyed woodworking, making many projects. He also enjoyed camping, fishing and golfing. He always had a listening ear for his children and grandchildren. He is mourned by daughter Irene Fraser of Langley, B.C.; son Rudy of Abbotsford; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Apr. 17, with Ed Balzer, Jake Quiring and Don Enns ministering.
Mary Willms
Mary Willms passed away Apr. 17. She was born June 14, 1900 to Peter A. and Helena Tieszen in Mountain Lake, Minn. She accepted Christ at age 11 during a revival meeting led by Heinrich Regehr. She was baptized July 14, 1915, joining Mountain Lake MB Church. Music filled much of her life. She played the organ and piano in church. She was 15 when her father died. Family business and chauffeuring responsibilities were placed on her. Her mother died 12 years later. She moved to Hepburn, Sask. to live with her sister. She married Jacob C. Willms July 1, 1931. They farmed near Mennon, Sask. until 1945, then moved to Chilliwack, B.C., where they farmed. They joined East Chilliwack MB Church and served as deacons. Her husband was often ill, leaving her to care for the family and farm. She found refuge and strength in God. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1974, joining Clearbrook MB Church, where she served as pianist for the senior choir. She also transported women to ladies' functions. They moved to Tabor Home in 1987. Jacob died 2 weeks later. She continued to live there, sewing for Helping Hands, hooking rugs for family and friends, working at crafts and playing piano. She enjoyed reading, and the Bible became more precious to her. She always enjoyed time with the family. Predeceased by Jacob, 2 sisters, 4 brothers and 3 grandchildren, she is mourned by sons Jake and Harry of Chilliwack; daughters Mary Kornelsen of Vernon, B.C., Rosella Martens of Abbotsford, B.C., Helen Bartel of Chilliwack and Elizabeth Rempel of Abbotsford; 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 22 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen, George Baier, Jacob J. Neufeld and Peter Dueck ministering.
Peter B. Loewen
Peter B. Loewen passed away Apr. 17. He was born Oct. 4, 1920 to Bernard and Katharina Loewen in Alexanderfeld, Sagradowka, Ukraine. He became a Christian at 24. Shortly after, he was drafted by the German army. He immigrated to Steinbach, Man. in 1948, then moved to Winnipeg. He married Kaethe Unruh in 1952. He worked in construction and was known for being a hard worker. He loved the church, serving as deacon for 25 years and on other committees. He is remembered for his love of God's Word and his devotional habits. He loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working on the cottage. He suffered a heart attack in 1974. He established Loewen Drywall with son Harry in 1975, retiring in 1983. Predeceased by 3 sisters and 3 brothers, he is mourned by Kaethe; sons Rudy and Harry; daughters Anne Friesen, Hilde Marsch, Aggie Buhler and Valerie Boucher; 15 grandchildren and 2 sisters.
David Janzen
David Janzen passed away Apr. 18. He was born Sept. 14, 1913 to Peter and Katharina Janzen in Friedensruh, Russia. The family immigrated to Watrous, Sask. in 1926, where they farmed for many years. He married Annie Neufeld June 23, 1935. After 44 years of farming, they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. They joined Central Heights Church and were active in many church activities. He is mourned by Annie; sons Len and Ernie; daughters Niomi Friesen and Leona Spaetgens; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandsons; and 1 brother.
Henry David Koehn
Henry David Koehn passed away Apr. 18. He was born May 23, 1902 to David and Katharina Koehn in Gnadenfeld, Sagradowka, Russia. When he was 18, his father was killed, probably by Makhno bandits, and their house was burned. He became responsible to provide for his mother and 8 siblings. He accepted the Lord at 20, was baptized and joined the Allianz Church. He did alternate service in the army and immigrated to Canada in 1927. He married Maria Martens Aug. 21, 1927. They lived in Blumenhof, Sask. for 10 years. They later moved to Vauxhall, Alta., where he was a blacksmith for 21 years. They moved to Vancouver in 1958. He worked at Sauder Doors for 10 years. They retired to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1970. They moved to Sunset Manor in 1992. Predeceased by an infant son, and daughter Loretta, he is mourned by Maria; sons Arthur of Kelowna, B.C., Walter of Prescott, Ariz.; Ernie of 100 Mile House, B.C.; daughters Linda Fast of Surrey, B.C.; Anita Hamm of San Jose, Calif., Ellie Kroeker of Surrey, Dora Schulz of Burnaby, B.C.; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Apr. 23 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen, Jay Neufeld and George Baier ministering.
Annie Bartel
Annie Bartel passed away Apr. 21. She was born Mar. 1, 1910 to Andreas and Albertina Kliewer in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland. She accepted Christ at age 11. She was baptized at 14, joining the MB Church. She had a strong soprano voice and joined the choir in her teens. She married Cornelius Bartel in 1929. They farmed near Swiniary, Poland. She sang in the choir of the local Baptist church. Daughter Anna was born in 1934 but died 6 days later. Cornelius was conscripted into the German army in January, 1945. She fled to West Germany in 1946 and was reunited with Cornelius. Son Richard and daughter Martha died in 1946 due to unsanitary conditions and malnourishment. They lived with farmers in Grethem, West Germany for two years. They immigrated to Canada in 1948 and attended Arnold (B.C.) MB Church. They moved to Vancouver in 1956. She was a busy homemaker and also worked outside the home until retiring at 65. She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years later. They moved to a condominium in Clearbrook, B.C. in 1986. They entered Tabor Home 4 years later. Cornelius died Mar. 2, 1992. She struggled with loneliness but her faith and a strong commitment to God enabled her to persevere. She is remembered for her kindness, generosity, unfailing love and faithful prayers on behalf of her family. She is mourned by daughters Helga Burger and Lillian Dickau; 2 grandchildren; and 2 sisters. The funeral was Apr. 25 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen, George Baier, Jay Neufeld and Peter Dueck ministering.
John Braun
John Braun passed away Mar. 12. He was born Dec. 11, 1919 to John and Maria Braun in Gruenfeld, Russia. The family immigrated to Ste. Anne, Man. in 1926. He committed his life to Christ at age 9 and was baptized at 13, joining Sperling Mennonite Church. He married Elizabeth Falk Feb. 1, 1940. They moved to the Niagara region of Ontario. He worked in fruit orchards or wherever he could find work. He began work in home construction in the 1950s. A few years later, he began contracting and then established his own business, John Braun & Sons Ltd. Many young men trained under John over the years. He was known for his hard work and commitment to integrity. He lived with a spirit of generosity and a readiness to help those in need. At church, he served as Sunday school teacher, deacon, board member and moderator. He also served as board chair of Eden Christian College. After retiring, they served with Campus Crusade, Gideons and Sermons from Science. He served as executive director of Yonge Street Mission in Toronto 1981-83. His greatest joy was seeing people come to new life in Christ. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1986 and later developed heart problems. He faced the illness with great faith, desiring to be a witness to God's love and to bear his suffering with courage and dignity. He is remembered for his teasing ways and constant prayer for others. He is mourned by Betty; children Ted of Fresno, Calif., Ron of Waterloo, Ont., Irene Neufeld of Winnipeg, Rudy of Toronto and Tim, Wally and Viola Sawatzky of St. Catharines, Ont.; 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 15, with Norman Neufeld, Waldo Pauls and Roger Thiessen ministering.
Cornelius Hildebrandt Klassen
Cornelius Hildebrandt Klassen passed away Mar. 30. He was born Aug. 30, 1911 to Gerhard and Aganeta Klassen on Chortitza Island, Ukraine. His father died in 1916. His mother died 3 years later. Brother George was killed by bandits in 1919. The family moved to Old Chortitza, living with the Hildebrandts. The Hildebrandts died of typhoid, and the Klassens moved to Burwalde to live with the Pauls. In 1920, sister Anna married Peter Dyck and took the children to Kronstal. When Cornelius was 12, the Klassens immigrated to Canada. A Pennsylvania Dutch family took him into their home, treating him like a son. He later worked on their farm. He moved to Aberdeen, Sask. in 1929 and worked for a Scottish farmer for 7 years. He accepted the Lord in 1931 during an evangelistic meeting led by Frank Wiens. He was baptized in 1931, joining Aberdeen MB Church. He attended Winkler Bible School 1931-33. He married Clara Niessen in November, 1939. They farmed 12 years. In fall, 1951, they moved to Clearbrook, B.C., but continued to seed and harvest crops in Aberdeen. They sold their prairie property in 1958 and built Valley Motel on the Trans-Canada Highway. He was diagnosed with pernicious anemia in 1968. His health improved, but they sold the motel and settled in Abbotsford, B.C. They moved to a retirement complex in 1993. He believed that the Lord had been good to him throughout his life and had led him with grace and love. His last words were "My salvation is safe and secure. Jesus is taking me unto Himself, and I am ready to go." Predeceased by 4 sisters and 4 brothers, he is mourned by Clara; children Trevor of Abbotsford, Gerald of Calgary, Diane Bos and Kenneth of Abbotsford; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 2 at Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and John Enns ministering.
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 12 Home Page