Obituaries

David John Esau

David John Esau passed away May 4. He was born Apr. 17, 1936 to John and Katherine Esau in Coaldale, Alta. The family moved to a farm near Chilliwack, B.C. when he was young. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized, joining Chilliwack MB Church. He attended Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford, B.C., then 2 years of Bible school. He married Helen Kornelsen. After teaching in Kitimat, B.C., he discovered that his heart was in car sales. He worked for Mutual Life for a while, then sold cars privately. He later worked for Carter GM. He became interested in land and development as a family enterprise. His love for the Lord and people dominated his life, as demonstrated by his relationship with neighbours, friends and organizations such as Youth for Christ, Campus Crusade and Athletes in Action. He is remembered for his outgoing, cheerful enthusiasm for life. He suffered a heart attack while driving to church. He is mourned by Helen; daughters Karen Howes and Tammy Wall; 4 grandchildren; 6 brothers and 1 sister.

Ken Dirksen

Ken Dirksen passed away May 5 in a truck accident. He was born Apr. 9, 1951 to Peter and Katharina Dirksen in Abbotsford, B.C. He travelled to many countries after graduating from high school. He was baptized in 1976, joining Bakerview MB Church in Abbotsford. He married Doris in 1976. They desired to serve God wherever they could. He served as Sunday school teacher, boys brigade leader and usher. He also served on missionary projects and drove truck for MCC 1989-91 in Akron, Pa. He drove truck for 25 years. They recently moved to Qualicum Beach, B.C. He was a friendly person who loved people, adventure, God and nature. He loved his family and was very dedicated to them. He spent time hiking, going on adventures and teaching Scripture to his children. He is remembered for his kindness, generosity, love and faithfulness. He is mourned by Doris; children Jesse and Amy; his parents; 4 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was at Bakerview MB Church, with Ron Van Akker and Dave Martunen ministering.

Art Martens

Art Martens passed away May 16. He was born Apr. 15, 1938 to Gerhard and Helene Martens in Waldesruh, Fernheim, Paraguay. The family relocated to Bolivia, then immigrated to Winnipeg in 1958. After numerous jobs, he became an apprentice with Quality Construction, then became a carpenter and framer. He accepted Christ in January, 1964 at a Janz Team crusade. He was baptized in April, 1964, joining Winnipeg Central MB Church. He was active in youth work, Sunday school, choir and as a deacon for many years. He was always ready to help others. He loved music and loved to sing. He married Hertha Foth Oct. 8, 1966. The family took many vacations. On the job, he witnessed to others and made a positive impact on those around him. He enjoyed the outdoors. They moved to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1992, where he continued in construction. They joined Arnold (B.C.) Community Church. He recently built two log homes in Germany with help from two of his sons. He is remembered for his wit and jokes. He passed away near Brandon, Man. while on a trip home from Winnipeg. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Hertha; sons Paul, Ronald, Victor and Karl; 1 granddaughter; his parents; 5 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was May 20 at Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Walter Thiessen, Gerhard Friesen and Delbert Enns ministering.

Matilda Dirks

Matilda (Mattie) Dirks passed away June 27 after heart surgery. She was born June 10, 1919 to missionaries Henry and Agnes Epp in Ningling, Honan, China. The family returned to Canada when she was 3. They lived in Salem, Sask. She accepted Christ in her mid-teens; her verse was John 6:37. She was baptized by her father and joined the church. She enjoyed singing in the choir. She attended Bethany Bible Institute 1937-41. She married Sylvester Dirks July 31, 1941. They became missionaries several years later under West Coast Children's Mission in B.C. They worked under Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mexico in 1945. They were missionaries to the Ashanincas in Peru 1946-1967. She had a pioneering spirit, accepting their circumstances, adapting and improvising. The Dirkses returned to Canada in 1967. They pastored in Dalmeny, Sask., Durham, Kan., Saskatoon, Brooks, Alta. and Arnold, B.C. She was always open to visitors, especially young people. She enjoyed reading, painting, crocheting, knitting and sewing. She is remembered as an affectionate person, committed to the Lord, her husband and her children. Predeceased by daughter Audrey, 1 sister and 2 brothers, she is mourned by Sylvester; sons Howard, James of Cuzco, Peru, Paul; daughters Sylvia Kift of Vernon, B.C., Lois Bortucene of Abbotsford, B.C., Karen McHattie of Pitt Meadows, B.C., Connie Loewen of Aberdeen, Sask. and Gwendolyn Winrob of Vancouver; 20 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. The funeral was July 3 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with John Neufeld ministering.

Jacob S. Nickel

Jacob S. Nickel passed away June 28 of cancer. He was born Aug. 15, 1931 to Peter and Katharine Nickel in Rabbit Lake, Sask. The family moved to Abbotsford when he was 5. He accepted Christ at 7. He attended MEI, then worked in a logging camp and at Nickel Plate Mine. He recommitted his life to Christ at 19 and was baptized, joining South Abbotsford MB Church. He led a men's prayer group. He married Helen Block in 1956. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1959 with an engineering degree. He was active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at UBC. He worked with B.C. Hydro as a corrosion engineer. Jake and Helen became charter members of Killarney MB Church in Vancouver. He was a Sunday school teacher and a counsellor at Columbia Bible Camp. Led by Luke 9:62, they served with MB Missions/Services in Congo 1966-75 working in church and school construction, infrastructure development and youth work. Though he developed asthma, he continued to work. Family life was important to him. They returned to Abbotsford, B.C. in 1975, joining Bakerview MB Church. He continued in engineering in Mission, B.C. and Abbotsford until retiring in 1995. He was on the B.C. MB Conference Board of Church Extension for over 7 years. He is remembered as a realistic and logical person, and as a loving father who modelled integrity. His favourite verse was Isaiah 40:31. Predeceased by infant son Leighton in 1968, he is mourned by Helen; sons Raynold, Murray; daughter Chrisaline Wiens; 7 grandchildren; 4 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was July 4 at Bakerview MB Church, with Harry Heidebrecht and John Neufeld ministering.

Helena Wiens

Helena Wiens passed away July 3. She was born Dec. 2, 1898 to Peter A. and Elizabeth Loewen in Rosthern, Sask. The family moved to Hague, Sask. when she was 4, then to Vanda, Sask. and Laird, Sask. They attended the GC Mennonite church. Her parents accepted Christ and were baptized, joining the MB Church. She accepted Christ at 18. Isaiah 38:17 became very precious to her. She was baptized in July, 1918, joining Laird MB Church. She enjoyed participating in the choir, Sunday school and youth. She took over household responsibilities when her mother, an invalid for 14 years, died in June, 1924. She married George Wiens in June, 1928. They moved to a farm near Sedalia, Alta., but a dust storm wiped out the first crop. They moved to Yarrow, B.C. in October, 1929. The couple worked hopyards and wherever work was available. They moved to a homestead near Clearbrook, B.C. They worked with hope and courage in the face of difficulties. George worked at a sawmill after the farm income proved insufficient. They were charter members of North Abbotsford (now Clearbrook) MB Church. They retired in 1968. George died in 1979. She moved into Nottingham condominium. She later moved to Bevan Lodge and Tabor Home. Predeceased by George, 1 sister, 4 brothers and 1 grandson, she is remembered by sons Aldon, Ed, Ron; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was July 7 at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with John E. Klassen and Jacob Pauls ministering.

Jacob Ekkert

Jacob Ekkert passed away July 5. He was born Nov. 13, 1918 to Jacob J. and Sara Ekkert in Gnadenheim, Siberia. The family emigrated to Gnadenheim, Fernheim Colony, Paraguay in 1929-30, where they farmed. He completed high school. They moved to Puerto Angel on the Paraguay River in October, 1939. He received Jesus here and was baptized Aug. 25, 1940. He married Tina Penner July 12, 1942. They moved to a homestead in Landskrone, Fernheim in 1947. A bout of malaria damaged his heart at 30, robbing him of energy. He became active in the leadership of the MB Church of Blumental, Fernheim. They immigrated to Vancouver in May, 1973, joining Vancouver MB Church. They served as deacons, and he led Bible classes. He worked at Hourston Glasscraft, building boats until retiring in November, 1983. He continued to build furniture for family and friends. They moved to an apartment in Clearbrook, B.C. in February, 1996. Tina suffered a major stroke March 22, 1997. He is remembered for surrendering to God's will and trusting the Lord. Predeceased by sons Walter, Henry and Artur, 2 sisters and 5 brothers, he is mourned by Tina; 4 sons; 2 daughters; 24 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 9 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls and Manfred Schmidt ministering.

Hulda Kliewer

Hulda (Bartel) Kliewer passed away July 16. She was born July 11, 1917 in Deutsch-Wymyschle, Poland. She attended Sunday school and youth meetings. Her mother died of typhoid when Hulda was 6. Her father remarried. She accepted Christ at 13 and was baptized at 14. She married Paul Kliewer at 19. Paul was conscripted into the German army in 1941. In 1945, when Russian soldiers approached her house, she obeyed an inner voice and offered them fresh bread. The soldiers left the yard without harming her or the children. She fled to Germany with her family. In 1948 she was reunited with Paul after his release from a Russian prison. They immigrated to Oklahoma, moving to Sumas, Wa. in 1956, to Blaine, Wa. in 1957 and to Edmonds, Wa. in 1959. Paul died in 1974. She moved to a condominium in Clearbrook, B.C. in 1986. She enjoyed fellowship at Clearbrook MB Church with family and friends whom she had known in Poland. Despite heart problems, she spent much time sewing for Helping Hands and MCC. She is remembered for her love, generosity, joy and for making Christ central in her life, influencing family and friends with her generous spirit. Predeceased by Paul and by daughter Tillie and 1 granddaughter in 1985, she is mourned by children Henry, Herbert, Paul, Marty, Walt; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. A memorial service was held July 18 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls and George Baier ministering. The funeral was July 19 at Floral Hills Funeral Home in Lynnwood, Wa.

Katharina Wiens

Katharina Wiens passed away July 19. She was born Mar. 18, 1906 to Heinrich and Aganetta Lepp in Tiege, Molotschna, Ukraine. She accepted Christ during evangelistic services led by Mr. Nachtigall and David Derksen. She was baptized June 15, 1927. She married Nicolai Wiens Oct. 8, 1929. They immigrated to Hepburn, Sask. in 1930, moving to Yarrow, B.C. in 1933. They moved to Black Creek, B.C. in 1934, where Nicolai was a logger, then to Arnold, B.C., where they farmed. She was always at her husband's side, helping, supporting and encouraging him. She milked cows, and enjoyed working in the garden and doing handiwork. Her faith was evident throughout her life. They retired to Clearbrook, B.C. joining Clearbrook MB Church in 1965. They sang in choirs and singing groups. She was also active in the ladies' group. She took pleasure in offering hospitality. She was interested in the grandchildren and dedicated to praying for them. They made trips to the US, the Holy Land, Africa, Europe and South America. During her last years, she suffered from arthritis and osteoporosis and was confined to a wheelchair. They moved to Tabor Home. Predeceased by infant daughter Agnes, son John, 1 grandson and 8 siblings, she is mourned by Nicolai; children Henry and Cornie of Abbotsford, Margaret Neufeld of Fresno, Calif., Helga of Abbotsford, Ernie of Victoria, Nic of Linden, Alta., Rubin of Fort St. John, B.C., Walter of Winnipeg; 22 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was July 22 at Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls and Jay Neufeld ministering.

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