Obituaries

Jacob Janzen passed away May 28. He was born Nov. 28, 1916 to Jakob Peter and Maria Janzen in Schöneberg, Ukraine. His father and twin brother died when he was 4. His mother married Heinrich Janzen. At 14, he accepted Christ on the basis of Is. 1:18. He was baptized June 21, 1942, joining Blumenfeld MB Church. His mother died when he was 18. He married Helene Niessen Sept. 17, 1940. They later fled to Poland. He was conscripted in the war, but was glad that he never fired a shot; he was wounded and captured. He was reunited with his family in 1947 when he recalled his wife's address during devotions. In 1952 they moved to Coaldale, Alta. Working hard all his life, he had an eye for detail, whether keeping the books on the <I>kolkhoz<P>, constructing his homes, hoeing the garden or writing the minutes for church business meetings. He loved reading, music, food and fellowship. He was a great storyteller. Most of all, he loved to read the Bible, having evening devotions with Helene and preparing lessons for German Sunday school. He loved the church and looked forward to being there at every opportunity. He cherished education, encouraging his children to become professionals and to take music lessons. He played the violin, mandolin and guitar. He had a good singing voice. He enjoyed life; he laughed easily and heartily. He is remembered as generous, forgiving, tender and loving. Predeceased by infant daughter Helen, he is mourned by Helene; children Lottie Goertzen of Landmark, Man., Jake of St. Catharines, Sig of Edmonton, John of Steinbach, Man., Peter of Coaldale, David of St. Albert, Alta. and Arnold of Calgary; 25 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 3 sisters. The funeral was June 1 in Coaldale MB Church, with Henry Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.

Helen (Giesbrecht) Brown passed away Feb. 10 at age 93. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 18 years ago and spent the last 13 years in Winkler (Man.) Salem Home. She was predeceased by her first husband of 19 years, John S. Wiebe in 1946 and her second husband of 43 years, George I. Brown in 1991, 6 sisters and 2 brothers. She is mourned by children Gordon, Alvin, Ruth and Gilbert; stepchildren John, Doris, George and Bill; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Apr. 25 in Winkler MB Church.

George Christian Ruppert passed away May 16. He was born Jan. 22, 1927 in Berching, Bavaria, Germany. He learned carpentry. He immigrated to Canada in 1962, settling near his sister Hilda in Squamish, B.C. He worked in the building trade. In 1969 he accepted Christ; he was baptized, joining Clearbrook (B.C.) MB Church. He married Renate Penner Mar. 23, 1970. He served on church council, as a parking attendant and usher. He loved the outdoors. They bought a farm and grew raspberries. After 10 years, they sold it and bought a house. He enjoyed rides in the country and the beauty of God's creation. He was a beekeeper and could talk for hours on the wonders of bees. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved woodworking, producing many things for exhibitions. About two years ago, bladder cancer was found. He is mourned by Renate; 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was May 22 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, George Baier and Jay Neufeld ministering.

Reginald George Bennett passed away May 2. He was born May 8, 1911 to Fredrick and May Bennett in Plymouth, England. He came to Canada in 1915. In 1936 he married Irma Martinson. They lived near Prince Albert, Sask. Having lived in various communities, including Port Edward, B.C., they retired in Meadow Lake, Sask. in 1990. He accepted Christ in 1939. His love for Jesus was evident; he was tireless when it came to furthering the Kingdom of God. His service in the church included Sunday school superintendent, teacher, lay pastor, children's church and chalk talks. His service in the community included Bethel Gospel Camp, skating rinks, ball games, bus service, film ministry and making countless fun things for children. He took pleasure in other people's happiness. He had a wonderful sense of humour and a concern for the eternal destiny of everyone he met. He was never at a loss for words and would often break into song, praising and thanking Jesus. He enjoyed drawing cartoons, playing pool and singing gospel songs. His favourite Scripture was Rom. 5:8. Predeceased by 1 brother and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Irma; children Arleigh, Esther Klassen, Albin, Elouise Esau, Kathleen MacDonald, Austin, Wendell, Gladys Nickel and Graeme; 21 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was May 5 in Northwest Community Church, Meadow Lake, with Bob Cappelle and Mike Ginther ministering.

Henry Allert passed away May 27. He was born Sept. 3, 1913 to Heinrich and Katarina Allert in Hochfeld, Russia. In 1930 he immigrated to Canada with his adoptive parents, Franz and Maria Koop, settling near Lethbridge, Alta. He married Louise Dick Nov. 22, 1940. They operated a dairy farm and later dryland farmed with his son Walter. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, praying daily for his family. He is remembered as compassionate, generous and humble. For many years, he served on the Coaldale (Alta.) Hospital and MCC boards. He was committed to serving the church. Predeceased by 2 brothers and a foster brother, he is mourned by Louise; children Dora Climenhaga of Lethbridge, Elvira Hendricks of Calgary, Walter of Lethbridge, Linda Schmold of Westlock, Alta. and Myrna Klassen of Coaldale; 11 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The memorial service was June 1 in Lakeview Bible Church, Lethbridge, with A.J. Poettcker ministering.

Harry Edgar Thiessen passed away May 8. He was born Nov. 8, 1928 to Peter and Katherine Thiessen in Herbert, Sask. He moved to B.C. in his early teens. At 14, he accepted Christ; in 1948 he was baptized, joining East Chilliwack (B.C.) MB Church. He studied 1 winter at Bible school and then took civil engineering at UBC, graduating in 1953. He married Evelyn Andres in 1951. He worked for the CPR and was transferred to Winnipeg. He worked for Dominion Bridge until he took early retirement to serve full-time in ministry. In 1971 he experienced God in a new way. They travelled in a revival ministry for more than a decade. He loved the church and his family; he served wherever and whenever he could. He was a member of Salem MB Church, Winnipeg. He is mourned by Evelyn; children Raphäel of Vancouver, Ron of Montreal, James, Sheldon and Judy, all of Winnipeg, and Mavis of Calgary; and 11 grandchildren. The funeral was May 13 in Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Bill McLeod and Arno Fast ministering.

Cornelius C. Willms passed away Mar. 7. He was born Jan. 22, 1913 to Cornelius J. and Helena Willms in Alexanderkrone, Russia. At 12, he accepted Christ, basing his faith on Rev. 3:20. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada, homesteading near Hepburn, Sask. As a teen, he rededicated his life; he was baptized, joining Hepburn MB Church. He attended Bethany Bible School for 2 years. He loved the Lord dearly and served Him faithfully; much time was spent praying for the physical and spiritual welfare of his family. The Bible was very precious to him. He served as Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent and helped on various committees. In 1934 he married Anna Warkentin. They farmed near Hepburn, then moved to town, where he delivered coal, hauled ice and ploughed gardens. He developed Hepburn Transport. In 1945 they moved to a dairy farm at East Chilliwack, B.C., but returned to Hepburn in 1949, buying the hardware store, then farming. Semi-retired in 1968, they began wintering in Arizona. In 1980 they retired to Kelowna, moving to Saskatoon in 1986. In his last years, he suffered from diabetes and shingles. Predeceased by a grandson, 2 sisters and 2 brothers, he is mourned by Anna; children Ruth McLeod of Courtice, Ont., Dorothy Bergen of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., Deanna Thiessen of Langham, Sask., Violet Thiessen and Ken, both of Hepburn; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Mar. 13 in West Portal MB Church, Saskatoon, with Dwayne Barkman and Frank Froese ministering.

Elizabeth Rempel passed away May 20. She was born Dec. 15, 1910 to Cornelius P. and Elizabeth Funk in Flowing Well, Sask. She was the oldest child and helped care for her 6 younger brothers. In 1930 she and George Rempel accepted Christ during revival meetings led by China missionary Frank Wiens in Gnadenau MB Church; they were baptized with 40 others a month later. They married Feb. 5, 1931. They farmed. In 1942 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C., joining North Abbotsford (now Clearbrook) MB Church. She faithfully attended ladies prayer groups and sewing circles. She fully recovered from a stroke in 1982. George died in 1983. She remained active in church. She cheered others with her pleasant disposition and drove friends to appointments. She embroidered, crocheted and made needlework pieces for others. In 1995 she suffered another stroke and moved to Menno Hospital. Though she could not speak, she enjoyed visits, especially from her great-grandchildren. She longed to be released from her worn-out body and to be with her Lord. She is mourned by children Ruth Clarkson of Saltspring Island, B.C., John of Redmond, Wash., Ed of Kelowna, B.C. and Marie Gibbons of Williams Lake, B.C.; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 26 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and George Baier ministering.

Katie (Braun) Penner passed away May 25 in Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Nov. 2, 1899 in Katralefka, Russia. She accepted Christ in her 7th year; she was baptized at 18. In 1924 the family immigrated to Canada. They lived in Waterloo, Ont. for 3 years, then moved to Manitoba. She married Jacob Penner in Arnaud, Man. They also lived in Brandon and Springstein, Man. In 1946 they moved to St. Catharines. Jacob died in 1982. Her love for the church and fellowship was very evident. Ladies' group was precious to her. She loved knitting and crocheting for others, until 5 weeks before her death. She is remembered for her cheerful nature, loving ways and personal friendships. She is mourned by children Janet Froese, Walter, Rudy, Harry, Ernest and Elfrieda Penner; 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

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