Obituaries

Jakob Kaethler passed away Mar. 25. He was born Sept. 17, 1928 to Peter and Marie Kaethler in Fleming, Sask. The family moved to Steinbach, Man. He learned to work hard and accept responsibility on the farm. At age 12, he accepted Christ. The family moved to Yarrow, B.C. when he was 15 or 16. He was baptized Sept. 12, 1948. He studied 1 semester in Winnipeg, then earned a B.A. at the University of British Columbia, helping on the farm on weekends. He married Helen Wolfe Sept. 12, 1953. He took teacher training and was a teacher for 28 years, retiring in 1983 due to Parkinson's disease. He was a strict but fair teacher. He was also involved in lay ministry. He chaired and served on the MB Boards of Church Extension and Reference and Counsel. He spearheaded the start of Richmond (B.C.) Bethel Church and was moderator for 20 years. He preached, taught, mentored and served as elder. Despite failing health, he continued to read and pray, growing closer to God. Sharing insights from his readings with his family and others, he was able to impact their lives. He is remembered for being stalwart in his Christian faith, hard-working, unselfish, optimistic, persevering and resolute. He questioned why God permitted his illness but accepted that God's grace was sufficient and that God's sovereignty was beyond his comprehension. He died of a heart attack while kneeling in midnight prayer. He is mourned by Helen; sons Chuck, Terry and Richard; 11 grandchildren; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. The memorial service was Mar. 31 in Fraserview MB Church, Richmond, with Brad Julihn and Terry Kaethler ministering.

Edna Joy Wells passed away in Chilliwack, B.C. Mar. 11, at age 73. She served for several years with the women's hospital auxiliary. For the past 10 years she was a member of Sardis (B.C.) Community Church. She was involved with a household group, volunteered with Open Door and attended the senior's group. She loved gardening, knitting and spending time with family. Predeceased by husband Ivan in 1959, she is mourned by son Garry; daughter Vegas Dargatz; 6 grandchildren and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 16 in Sardis Community Church, with Graeme Isbister ministering.

Erna Plett passed away Mar. 21. She was born Nov. 7, 1921 in Volhynia, Ukraine to Daniel and Pauline Ledwez. At 13, she left home to earn her living. She married John Plett Nov. 30, 1941 in Neuschoensee. They fled to Poland and then Germany in 1945. In 1948 the family immigrated to Paraguay, where they pioneered. In 1956 they immigrated to Ontario's Niagara Peninsula. She accepted Christ and was baptized June 1, 1947. She and John joined Virgil (Ont.) MB Church Dec. 7, 1958. John died in 1977. Moving to St. Catharines, Ont., she joined Scott St. MB Church. Despite illness, she was filled with the joy of the Lord. In her last years, she was cared for by daughter Erna. She is mourned by children Agnes Buchholz of Port Colborne, Ont., Mary Schwarz of Burlington, Ont., John of Calgary, Walter of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Herman of Lethbridge, Alta., Willi of Marietta, Ga. and Erna of St. Catharines; 20 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 25 in Scott St. MB Church, with Henry Penner and Herman Plett ministering.

Elsie Falk passed away Apr. 11. She was born July 20, 1916 to John and Maria Friesen in Lichtfelde, Russia. In 1924 the family came to Canada. Before purchasing a farm near Niverville, Man. in 1927, they lived in Kleefeld, MacGregor and Arnaud, Man. She accepted Christ at 12 and was baptized at 16. She remained a member of Niverville MB Church until her passing. She took sewing lessons and worked in Winnipeg. She married Ben D. Falk Sept. 10, 1938. They farmed near Niverville until retirement. She enjoyed gardening, quilting with friends and travelling, especially to the Holy Land. She provided hospitality to many visiting ministers, friends and relatives. After her health failed, she enjoyed taking family and friends to restaurants and providing treats for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was admitted to Bethesda Hospital in March. Although frequently in pain, she never complained. She faced death with a calm, serene and peaceful spirit. She is mourned by Ben; children Alvin, Viola Toews, Willie, Bernie, Erwin and Dennis; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 16 in Niverville MB Church, with Abe Konrad, Walter Thiessen and Rick McCorkindale ministering.

Helen Kroker passed away Apr. 21. She was born Sept. 6, 1921 to Gerhard and Helen Kroker in Russia. In 1926 the family came to Canada, settling in Coaldale, Alta. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age. She helped her parents on the farm. In 1954 she moved to Lethbridge. She enjoyed working around her home and spending time with family. In 1969 she suffered a double brain aneurysm. After a lengthy hospitalization, she entered a long-term care facility in Lethbridge, Alta. Although she spent 29 years in a wheelchair, she enjoyed bowling, crafts, woodworking and swimming. In 1976 she accepted Christ. She grew strong in her faith. In 1993 she was baptized, joining Coaldale MB Church. Despite much illness and loss, she was never discouraged. She was thankful for the years the Lord gave her. She touched a lot of lives, and had an unfaltering faith. Predeceased by 2 sisters and 3 brothers, she is mourned by her brother Jake. The funeral was in Coaldale MB Church, with Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.

Helen Heinrichs passed away Apr. 7. She was born July 16, 1911 to Heinrich and Anna Wiens in Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1926; they lived in various parts of Ontario. In 1934 she married Ernest Heinrichs. They later moved near Port Rowan, Ont. She accepted Christ when she was in her teens and in 1939 they joined Port Rowan MB Church. In 1994 she moved into Tabor Manor in St. Catharines, Ont. She had excellent health till the last few years. She was a prayer warrior, and reminded her family that she was praying for them. In Port Rowan, she worked at the Nift Gift and Thrift Shop, spending many hours ironing. She loved serving others. At Tabor Manor, she helped patients by pushing their wheelchairs. She loved walking and enjoyed flowers, birds and all of God's creation. Her zest for life and her faith in God were an inspiration to those who knew her. She is mourned by children Robert, Norm and Elaine Petkau, all of Port Rowan; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 9 in Port Rowan MB Church, with Bill Lehman and Ralph Teigrob ministering.

Lindsay Michelle Schmidt passed away Dec. 30. She was born May 24, 1991 to Ed and Susan Schmidt in Winnipeg. Her brief life was made difficult by a struggle to overcome various physical challenges. Despite many illnesses, she demonstrated patience and perseverance, rewarding her family with an occasional smile. She is mourned by her parents; sister Danielle; grandparents Rudy and Annie Schmidt of Winnipeg and Ben and Margaret Jansen of St. Catharines, Ont.; and great-grandmother Anna Peters. The funeral was Jan. 2 in River East MB Church, Winnipeg, with Karen Heidebrecht Thiessen and Walter Regehr ministering.

Irvin Edwin Stobbe passed away Mar. 11. He was born July 28, 1925 to John and Margaret Stobbe in Borden, Sask. When he was 4, the family moved to Agassiz, B.C., then to Abbotsford, B.C. He accepted Christ at 14; he was baptized at 17. He was the oldest of 9 children when his mother died. His father married Susie Friesen, a widow with 6 children; 3 more children were born. He worked in the family trucking business, sang in the church choir and helped organize a Gideon Camp in Abbotsford. He married Martha Sawatzky Sept. 26, 1953. After selling the trucking business, he was part owner of a taxi business in Abbotsford for 10 years and started operating the local ambulance service. For 19 years he found great fulfillment in helping the sick and accident victims. In 1973 he began working full-time at M.S.A. Hospital in various departments. After retiring, he missed serving people, so he volunteered as a driver for the Canadian Cancer Society until the day of his death. Loving music, he was involved in the Jubilee Choir at Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford and in a male chorus. He enjoyed travelling across Canada, visiting family and friends. He is remembered as being positive, encouraging, unselfish, caring and a man of integrity. He is mourned by Martha; children Barbara Bruckner of Malta, Mont., Ray of Abbotsford, Norm of Port Rowan, Ont. and Marilynne Heinrichs of Waldheim, Sask.; 11 grandchildren; 15 brothers and sisters. A memorial service was held Mar. 16 in Central Heights MB Church, with Henry Wiebe ministering.

Elsie Thiessen passed away Mar. 26, at age 39. She was born Jan. 7, 1959 to Cornelius and Neta Federau in Vancouver, B.C. When she was in grade 5, her parents bought a raspberry farm in Abbotsford, B.C. In grade 12, she began attending East Aldergrove MB Church. She recommitted her life to Christ. In 1978 she was baptized, joining the church. She married Don Thiessen Mar. 24, 1979. She worked at Tabor Home as a secretary/receptionist where her capable work and pleasant manner were an asset. Caring for her family was a priority. She enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, sewing, crafts, gardening and yard work. She encouraged Don to start his own business. She used her creativity on the decorating committee at church, making floral arrangements for the MCC sale and teaching crafts at women's activities. She served in the nursery and children's church. In 1994 they transferred to Northview Community Church, Abbotsford. On Dec. 24, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. During this time, she displayed faith and peace and a desire to spend time reading the Bible and be with those she loved. She was assured of eternal life through Christ. Her attitude was that of Psalm 31:14-15. Predeceased by her father, she is mourned by Don; daughters Leanne, Andrea and Carly; her mother; sisters and brothers. The memorial was Mar. 30 in Northview Community Church, with Vern Heidebrecht and Curtis Congo ministering.

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