Obituaries

Susanna Isaac passed away Mar. 27. She was born Feb. 14, 1903 to Gerhard and Justina Fast in Samara, Russia. Her father died when she was 3. Her mother was a dear Christian. At 14, she accepted Christ. Isaiah 43:1 was important to her. She married Henry A. Isaac Nov. 5, 1922. In 1926 they immigrated to Canada. In 1933 they were baptized, joining Niverville (Man.) MB Church. In 1936 they moved to Morden, Man. In 1981 they moved into the Tabor Home units; she moved Feb 3, 1998 into Tabor Home. She is mourned by children Justina Toews, Betty Hoeppner, John, Frank, all of Morden, Jim of Winnipeg and Rudy of Chilliwack, B.C.; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 1 sister. The funeral was in Wiebe's Funeral Home, Morden, with Morris Vincent and F.H. Friesen ministering.

Elizabeth (Betty) Olfert passed away Feb. 12. She was born Sept. 27, 1921 to Heinrich and Elizabeth Enns in Russia. Her family felt God's protection from famine and revolution. In 1927 they fled to Germany, immigrating to Canada in 1930. They settled near Rosengart, Man. At 15, she accepted Christ; she was baptized 2 years later, joining North End (now Elmwood) MB Church. At 17, she began work in Winnipeg as a housekeeper, later serving as a child care worker with Children's Aid Society. In 1956 she married John Olfert, a widower with 6 children; 2 more children were born. She devoted her life to raising her family, welcoming her children's spouses and then her grandchildren. Later, she worked as a dietary assistant at Donwood Manor in Winnipeg, then in home care. She prayed for her family and the church. She enjoyed the services at North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg and the ladies' mission circle. Predeceased by 1 sister, 2 brothers and 2 great-grandsons, she is mourned by John; children David, John, Harry, Art, Agnes Fehr, Mary Ann Penner, Kathy Dyck and Ruth Loewen; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchidren; 1 sister and 3 brothers. The funeral was Feb. 16 in North Kildonan MB Church, with Johannes Stolz and Gerhard Friesen ministering.

Sara Klippenstein passed away Nov. 24. She was born Apr. 9, 1909 to Henry S. and Susie Voth in Dallas, Ore. They later moved to Mountain Lake, Minn., then to a farm near Winkler, Man. She was baptized by her farmer-evangelist father, joining Winker MB Church in 1931. She enjoyed children and attended Normal School, later teaching 5 years at Diamond School near Morden, Man. She married Bernard Klippenstein, a teacher, July 17, 1938. They lived in rural Manitoba for the next 23 years. In 1961 they moved to Winnipeg. She resumed teaching, first at the Hutterite colonies of New Rosedale and Waldheim, then at Prendergast School, Winnipeg. She loved travelling, visiting England, Barbados, Canada and the US. Her faith expressed itself in her gracious acceptance of people and situations. A favourite Bible verse was II Corinthians 12:9. As her memory faded, she kept her love of music, children and nature. Predeceased by 1 sister and 2 grandchildren, she is mourned by Bernard; children Sam, Susan Buller, Dave and Tim; 12 grandchildren; 3 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Nov. 28 in North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg, with Johannes Stolz ministering.

John Dyck passed away Mar. 8. He was born Jan. 31, 1919 to Jacob and Annie Dyck in Alexandertal, Russia. His mother died and his father married Eva Petkau. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada. In 1937 at a revival meeting in Cabri, Sask., he accepted Christ. The family moved to Yarrow, B.C; he was baptized, joining Yarrow MB Church in 1938. During the war, he served as a conscientious objector. He married Agatha Jantzen Nov. 29, 1942. They lived in Richmond, B.C. and he worked at Brooksbank Dairies. They moved to Sumas Prairie to farm. He later worked at Modern Markets in Abbotsford, B.C. In 1951 they moved to Vancouver, where he worked briefly for Woodwards, then for 30 years for Safeway. He knew pain, having battled an ulcer, malaria, arthritis and diabetes. Both knees were replaced in 1988. Part of his left leg was amputated due to diabetes. He dedicated his life to serving God. His leadership of the youth in Vancouver MB Church resulted in a choir named "The Ambassadors", a ministry of 18 years that served in Union Gospel Mission, retirement homes, prisons and MB mission churches. He and Agatha were deacons for 21 years at Fraserview MB Church. His optimism, smile and humour were enjoyed by many. He enjoyed taking Agatha for rides, working on projects with his sons and playing games with his grandchidren. His conversation always included comments about heaven. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Agatha; sons Ralph of Winnipeg, Kenneth of Calgary, Stanley of Abbotsford, B.C. and David of Shanghai, China; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Mar. 13 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with John Neufeld ministering.

Mary Louise Martens passed away Mar. 16. She was born Mar. 7, 1908 to Peter and Katherine Karber in Fairview, Okla. When she was 12, the family moved to Shafter, Calif. At 16, she accepted Christ. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school. In 1931 she went to Biola Bible School in Los Angeles, Calif. She married Frank Martens from Saskatchewan. In 1936 they moved to Saskatchewan; Frank taught at Herbert Bible School, and she taught at daily vacation Bible schools and Bible clubs. In 1937 they moved to Vancouver Island, B.C.. Frank worked for the Canadian Bible Society 40 years while she looked after the Bible House and Book Room in Victoria, B.C. She loved children, teaching at Bible camps, in Sunday school and in Bible clubs. They were involved in Immanuel Bible Church. In 1987 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. She is remembered as spending much time winning people for the Lord and encouraging others on their way to heaven. Predeceased by Frank in 1994 and 3 brothers, she is mourned by daughter Joyce Martens of San Diego, Calif. The funeral was Mar. 21 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Robert Gray ministering.

Anna Martens passed away Mar. 24, at age 90. Predeceased by her first husband Bernard Falk, 1 son and 6 stepchildren, she is mourned by her husband of 23 years, Abram A. Martens; sons George Falk of Germany and Bernard Falk of Russia; stepdaughters Margaret Eitzen of Winnipeg, Helen Sawatzky of Calgary, Alice Martens of Steinbach, Man., Phyllis Martens of Hawaii; stepsons Henry of Ste. Rita, Man., John and Pete, both of Winnipeg, Jake of Salmon Arm, B.C., Jerry of Dodsland, Sask. and Art of Winnipeg; and grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 27 in Steinbach MB Church, with Norman Neufeld and Cornelius Rempel ministering.

Abram Henry Dueck passed away Mar. 22. He was born Feb. 27, 1910 to Heinrich and Maria Dueck in Blumenheim, Russia. In 1911 the family moved to Kistendej, Russia. At 14, he accepted Christ. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada. They farmed at Manitou, Desford and Minto, Man. He attended Winkler Bible Institute 1 winter and worker as a farm labourer in his teens. He was baptized in 1937, joining Boissevain (Man.) MB Church. He married Katherine Kasper Nov. 3, 1940. They farmed 5 years near Truax, Sask., later moving to Minto and then Dunrea, Man. The Lord answered their prayers and gave them children, and he was privileged to be a father to many foster children. In 1976 they retired to Killarney, Man., enjoying new neigbours and the fellowship in Lakeview MB Church. He enjoyed farming, working hard to provide for his family, and helped his son Bob farm until 1991 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. A fractured hip hospitalized him Feb. 21, 1996. He was admitted Jan. 2, 1997 to Bayside Personal Care Home, Killarney. He is remembered as a quiet, humble man who had a simple child-like faith in God and lived out his faith daily. He is mourned by Katherine; children Arthur of Moose Jaw, Sask., Linda Albrecht of Boissevain, Bob of Dunrea, Delvina Kejick of Brandon, Man. and Pamela Houston of Ochre River, Man.; 11 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was in Killarney, with Dan Stobbe ministering.

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