Obituaries
John Dyck
John Dyck passed away Dec. 28. He was born Dec. 3, 1903 to Isaak and Maria Dyck in the Crimea, Russia. He married Elizabeth Enns May 24, 1928. In 1929-30 they immigrated to Winkler, Man. In 1932 they moved to Winnipeg. In 1939 he started Dyck's Containers and Forest Products. He accepted Christ in 1948 during a revival; he was baptized in 1949, joining North Kildonan MB Church. He is remembered as a diligent worker and a good employer. He loved woodworking, nature and gardening, turning his yard into a park and laying out an anchor and shield in flowers. He was pleased that others enjoyed the park. He valued the times his grandchildren and great-grandchildren helped him in the garden. He loved reading the Psalms; his Bible was well marked and dated. He supported the work of the church and other missions. Around 1980, his health declined. Elizabeth died in 1991 and he moved into Donwood Personal Care Home in 1994. He enjoyed playing the harmonica and singing hymns. Predeceased by Elizabeth, daughter Ingrid, son Harold and a grandson, he is mourned by children Irmgard Regehr, Vern and Rudolf; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister and a brother. The funeral was Jan. 3 in North Kildonan MB Church, with Abe Neufeld ministering.
Johanna Dyck
Johanna Dyck passed away Jan. 22. She was born Apr. 6, 1915 to Johann and Katherine Thiessen in the Crimea, Russia. As a young adult, she worked in a community kindergarten, learning to love small children. She married in 1939. Her husband was taken away in 1941. An infant daughter died. In 1948 Johanna immigrated to Strathmore, Alta. She was a housekeeper/nanny for 2 families in Calgary and a maid at the Banff Springs Hotel. In 1951 she was baptized, joining First Mennonite Church, Calgary. She married Jacob Dyck June 10, 1951. After 2 years in Calgary, they moved to Watrous, Sask., farming there until 1981. In retirement, she enjoyed crocheting and gardening. She is remembered for her love of family. Predeceased by a husband and daughter, she is mourned by Jacob; son John of Saskatoon; 2 grandchildren and 3 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 27 in Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, with Ernie Bergen ministering.
Elly Redekopp
Elly Redekopp passed away Dec. 4. She was born Nov. 28, 1912 to Gerhard and Katharina Thielmann in Halbstadt, Molotschna, Ukraine. In 1924 the family immigrated to Canada. After completing grade 9, she attended Hepburn (Sask.) Bible School for 4 years. As a teen, she accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Hepburn MB Church. In 1935 the family moved to Vineland, Ont. She married Abraham Redekopp Dec. 27, 1936. In 1937 they moved to a fruit farm with her parents near Virgil, Ont. Several years later, they bought their own farm, farming until 1977. They moved to Virgil. She was active in the missions circle and the Mary Martha society for many years. She is remembered for her encouraging telephone calls on birthdays and anniversaries. She was an avid reader and she kept a journal, ending most entries with, <210>If the Lord will give me life and health, I will rise in the morning.<211> When she couldn't attend church, she read books from the church library. Predeceased by Abraham and an infant son, she is mourned by children Jacob of Paisley, Ont., Linda Poetker of Winnipeg, Betty Hamm of Leamington, Ont. and Alfred of Winnipeg; 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 8 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Rudy Bartel ministering.
Abraham Klassen
Abraham Klassen passed away Dec. 30. He was born Mar. 30, 1927 to Abraham and Margareta Klassen in Logovsk, Russia. They immigrated to Paraguay in 1929, settling in the Chaco, later moving to Friesland. He accepted Christ and was baptized, joining the MB church. He was a cabinetmaker. He helped with the building and maintenance of a leprosarium at Kilometre 81. In 1956 he followed the family to Ontario, joining Virgil MB Church. He married Gertrude Hubert in 1958. They lived in Virgil. In 1976 they moved to a farm. He enjoyed tending his grapes and worked as a shipwright at Port Weller Dry Docks. He is remembered as a devoted husband and grandfather who was easy-going, peace-loving and enormously patient. His childlike faith in God was evident in his prayers for his family, the sick and missionaries. He is mourned by Gertrude; children Elsie Robertson, Harry, John and Victor; 9 grandchildren; 3 brothers and 5 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 3 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Peter Klassen ministering.
Peter Cornelius Toews
Peter Cornelius Toews passed away Jan. 10. He was born June 21, 1908 to Cornelius and Anna Toews in Nikolayevka, Russia. They immigrated to Canada in 1925, wintering in Swalwell, Alta., then moving to the Adair Ranch. He and his dad filed on 2 homesteads and farmed together until 1943, when his parents moved to Yarrow, B.C. In 1936 he married Annie Janz. They farmed until 1971, when they retired to Kelowna, B.C. After 25 years of retirement, travelling the world, he moved to Wild Rose Manor in Grande Prairie, Alta., then to Grande Prairie Care in December, 1996. Predeceased by a sister and a brother, he is mourned by Annie; children Don, Melita Hrychiw and Henry, all of Wembley, Alta., John of Salem, Ore, Lawrence of Calgary and Verna Elliot of Salt Spring Island, B.C.; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 16 in LaGlace (Alta.) Bible Fellowship church, with Nelson Senft ministering.
Helen Kornelsen
Helen Kornelsen passed away Sept. 30. She was born Sept. 24, 1915 to Abram and Agatha Wiens in Horndean, Man. When Helen was 7, her mother and a brother died, her only sister died 7 years later. Her father married a widow with 3 children. They lived in Winkler, Man. She was a member of Winkler MB Church. She moved to Ontario to live with an uncle and aunt. She married Henry Kornelsen Oct. 16, 1938. They lived in Leamington, Ont. She joined Leamington MB Church, teaching Sunday school. She worked in greenhouses with Henry for many years, then mended and sewed at the Leamington District Memorial Hospital. She is remembered for her love and care, her smiling face and strong Christian faith. In the hospital with cancer, she never complained, saying that she was in God's care. She is mourned by children Shirley Dreidger, Carolyne Greene and Myma Inrig; 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 2 in Leamington MB Church, with Henry Regier and David Derksen ministering.
Keithal Jean Wilson
Keithal Jean Wilson passed away Jan. 23. She was born May 4, 1937 to Howard and DeVere Briggs in Paxton, Neb. They lived in Wheaton, Ill., and then Colorado Springs, Co. In 1956 she went to Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta. In 1957-58 she attended Pillsbury College, Owatonna, Minn., returning to PBI the following year. She then joined the staff at PBI in a managerial position. Two years after graduation, she married Rod Wilson. They attended Seattle (Wash.) Pacific College, then moved to Boulder, Col. She was executive secretary for the YWCA 1965-1969. In 1969 they moved to Edmonton. They later joined Lendrum MB Church. She had 4 open-heart operations. She rejoined the workforce for 5 years in the mid-1980s, later volunteering her time. The next 5 years, with Women Aglow, were satisfying. Suspicious of religiosity, she increasingly realized and testified to the sustaining power of God's love. In November, 1996, 6 weeks after a heart transplant, cancer was found. She is remembered for her testimony of God's love and power, her dedication to her children and her crafts. She is mourned by Rod; children Brock and Genine, both of Edmonton, and Ranelle of Victoria, B.C. The funeral was Jan. 26 in Lendrum MB Church, with David Dyck ministering.
Helen Penner
Helen Penner passed away Jan. 20 after a heart attack. She was born Oct. 3, 1931 to John P. and Mary Engbrecht in Brookdale, Man. She accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. She married Abe F. Penner Oct. 9, 1949. They lived in Steinbach, Man., moving to Kansas in 1965 and Edmonton in 1970. She loved to entertain, cook and bake. She was very skilled at quilting and crocheting, and was a professional seamstress. She is remembered for her cheerfulness and love of life, showing faith, love, courage, commitment and hope. She was a dedicated friend and a praying wife and mother and very close to God. Predeceased by 1 brother and 2 sisters, she is mourned by Abe; children Robert and Dennis, both of Winnipeg, Conrad of Sarasota, Fla., Stan of Edmonton and Marilynn Graham of Victoria, B.C.; 7 grandchildren and 1 sister. The funeral was Jan. 23 in Lendrum MB Church, with David Dyck ministering.
George P. Warkentin
George P. Warkentin passed away Jan. 27. He was born Sept. 25, 1908 to Peter and Judith Warkentin in Osler, Sask. He accepted Christ in his teens and was baptized, joining Waldheim MB Church. He married Martha Dick Jan. 24, 1932. They moved to LaGlace, Alta., where he owned a harness and shoe repair shop. They lived a short time in Crooked Creek, Alta. Their youngest son died at age 2. In 1943 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. In 1947 they moved to Winnipeg, attending MB Bible College. Martha's teaching career took them to Ashern, Man., then Moosehorn, Man. He was active with Canada Inland Missions. For a time they lived in Steinbach, Man. They moved to Winnipeg in 1962. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's. In 1970 they retired to St. Catharines, Ont., joining Fairview MB Church. When able, he sang in quartets, played in orchestras and led choirs. He enjoyed fishing and his family. In 1992 he moved to Tabor Home. Is. 40:31, 41:10 were underlined in his Bible. He was concerned that all his family followed the Lord. Predeceased by Martha in 1984 and son Johnny, he is mourned by children Wilfred, Grace Klassen, Viola, Edith Grimes; 11 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Katherine C. Peters
Katherine C. Peters passed away Dec. 27. She was born Jan. 13, 1922 to Jacob and Anna Peters in Sparrau, Russia. In 1925, the family immigrated to Drake, Sask, later moving to British Columbia. She accepted Christ at an early age. In 1946 she was baptized, joining Greendale (B.C.) MB Church. She taught in Upper Sumas School. She attended MB Bible College, graduating in 1954. In 1959 she completed her nursing degree at the University of Britich Columbia. Serving in the church, her heart turned to missions. She visited Japan and served in Mexico and Zaire. The pain from arthritis and lupus increased. She was diagnosed with leukemia in July, 1996. She is remembered for her contagious laughter and love of life. She is mourned by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was Jan. 3 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., with Jacob Quiring ministering.
George Frank Sawatsky
George Frank Sawatsky passed away Oct. 20 from a stroke. He was born Nov. 15, 1910 to Frank P. and Justina Sawatsky in Osterwick, Russia. At 13, he immigrated to Canada, staying with relatives in Rosthern, Sask. He accepted Christ while preparing for baptism in a Mennonite church. His parents arrived later, and he worked on the farm to help pay off their transportation debt. He married Annie Guenther in 1935. They farmed near Hague, Sask. In 1940 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., joining Yarrow MB Church. He worked in the hop yards, a cannery, a box factory, a saw mill and a door factory. Annie died in 1975. He married Elizabeth Loewen July 17, 1977. They moved to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1988, attending Clearbrook MB Church. He is remembered as a man of few words who loved beautiful things and flowers. Predeceased by Annie, 2 sisters and 3 brothers, he is mourned by Elizabeth; son Irvin; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 23 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Jacob Pauls ministering.
Katherine Fast
Katherine Fast passed away Nov. 4. She was born Feb. 25, 1915 to Abraham and Anna Fast in Talma, Russia. Her father died in 1924 and they immigrated to Didsbury, Alta. In 1929, they joined relatives in Beaverlodge, Alta. They moved to LaGlace, Alta. The church built them a log house. She loved books and wanted to go to school but had to work. Someone sponsored her to attend Bible school in LaGlace. Reading a Bible tract on John 3:16 sent by a friend, she accepted Jesus. She was baptized, joining LaGlace MB Church. She attended Peace River Bible School, Sexsmith, Alta. She graduated from Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta., in 1943. She studied missions at MB Bible College. In Alberta, she worked with Canadian Sunday School Mission, teaching Sunday school, DVBS and the Bible in schools. In 1955 she moved to Vancouver, living with her mother and sister Lila. She worked in St. Vincent Hospital as a nurse's aide 25 years. She witnessed to the patients and the nuns at the hospital. She helped at Union Gospel Mission, teaching Sunday school many years. She visited homes and led some of her students to Jesus. Retired, she helped in Sunday school and Pioneer Girls. She loved to tell others about Jesus, handing out tracts. She had a heart attack in 1982, but still supported many missionaries. She enjoyed travelling, cooking, baking and hosting guests. Predeceased by 3 brothers and 1 sister, she is mourned by 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Nov. 7 at Culloden MB Church, Vancouver, with Aldon Loeppky ministering.
Correction:
In the obituary of Margaret Goerz (Feb.6) it was stated that Margaret was predeceased by husband John and 2 sisters. It should have read: Predeceased by 1 child, she is mourned by John; children Aggie Martens, Lisa Schroeder, Marlene Howell, Monica Froese, John, Peter and Ted; 14 grandchildren and 2 sisters. Our apologies for the error. We regret any pain this error may have caused the family.
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