Obituaries
Kevin Russell Froese
Kevin Russell Froese passed away May 4. He was born Apr. 21, 1971 to Elmer and Margaret Froese in Chilliwack, B.C. From birth, he had club feet and later developed a meningioma tumour behind his left eye. In spite of his medical problems, he faced life with determination and love. He was baptized in 1987, joining Greendale MB Church. Since age 17, he was a leader in the Christian Service Brigade at the church. He loved the kids. He graduated from Mennonite Educational Institute in Clearbrook, B.C., then attended Capernwray Bible School in Australia. He also travelled in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. He took a computer drafting course at University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, B.C. and soon began work as a draftsman. He married Andrea Findlay Apr. 20, 1996. He was diagnosed with a tumour on his brain stem Feb. 1. Surgery to remove the tumour was unsuccessful. He was transferred to Chilliwack General Hospital Apr. 7. He is mourned by Andrea, his parents; sister Carmen and grandmother Edith Tiede. The funeral was May 8 at Greendale MB Church, with Stan Bahnman, Kevin Pentland, Rusty Reimer and Reg Toews ministering.
Katherine Kroeker
Katherine (Kay) Kroeker of Winnipeg, formerly of Elm Creek, Man., passed away of cancer Apr. 5. She was born May 25, 1924. She is remembered for her love and devotion to her children and grandchildren. A Bible passage special to her was "I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." from Psalm 13:5,6. Predeceased by 3 brothers, she is mourned by husband John, daughter Lynn Enns of Saskatoon; sons Alan and Gary of Elm Creek; 7 grandchildren; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Apr. 9 at Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Roland Marsch and Roger Thiessen ministering.
Susan Penner
Susan Penner passed away Apr. 4. She was born Aug. 14, 1921 to Dietrich and Vera Janzen in Ufa, Siberia. The family immigrated to southern Manitoba in 1926, then moved to Ontario. High school was taken by correspondence, as they lived too far from the nearest high school. They moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. in 1942 where she attended business college. She married Jacob Penner in 1946. She accepted Christ through Youth for Christ. She was baptized, joining the United Missionary Church. She enrolled in Moody Bible correspondence courses. She taught Sunday school, had home Bible studies, led Sunshine Club and initiated Pioneer Girls at her church. She had a cheerful servant heart and served with gladness. They hosted many guests over the years (youth groups, missionaries, nursing and university boarders). She is remembered for her smile, gentle ways and love for pretty things. They moved to Pleasant Manor in 1983, where she continued to serve through encouragement, Bible studies and weekly hymn singing. She enjoyed serving as a correspondence counsellor with Child Evangelism Fellowship Mailbox Club. Predeceased by 1 sister, she is mourned by Jacob; daughters Sylvia Penner and Patricia Hopper of Owen Sound, Ont. and Nancy Penner of St. Catharines, Ont.; 4 granddaughters; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Apr. 7 at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont., with Howard Shantz ministering.
Claudia Klassen
Claudia Klassen passed away Mar. 6. She was born to Claude and Ellen MacLean in Sydney Mines, N.S. The family moved to Queenston, Ont., then Niagara Falls, Ont. She accepted Christ at 17. She married Mel Klassen in 1962. She was baptized that year, joining Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel. She was a radiant Christian and served the Lord particularly with her gift of singing. She and Mel taught Sunday school, and she sang solo in a double trio and in the choir. She underwent surgery for cancer in 1995 and enjoyed reasonable health for another year. She is mourned by Mel; daughter Christine Forrer; son Mark; 4 grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 10 at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont., with Peter Klassen ministering.
Adina Margaret Willms
Adina Margaret Willms passed away Dec. 25. She was born Dec. 17, 1912 in Hierschau, Russia. The family attended the local MB church. Her father died in August, 1926. The family immigrated to Waldheim, Sask., then moved to Pincher Station, Alta. in 1928, where they settled on a farm. She committed her life to the Lord at 18. She married Aron Willms in April, 1934. They settled in Coaldale, Alta., where they farmed for 13 years. They relocated to a farm near Kelowna, B.C. in March, 1947. She is remembered as one who loved the Lord. Predeceased by Aron in 1982 and son Victor in 1985, she is mourned by daughters Lorina Dick, Frieda Wiebe and Linda Born; Vern, John, Henry, Albert, Dave and Dan; 26 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 31 at Springfield Funeral Home, Kelowna, with Arnold Peters ministering.
Correction:
The obituary for Anne Hiebert (May 30) should have contained the following information: Anne Hiebert passed away Dec. 29. The funeral was Jan. 3 at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church, with Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
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