Obituaries

Peter P. Petkau passed away Sept. 23. He was born Feb. 18, 1913 to Peter and Elizabeth Petkau in Kamenka, Orenburg, Russia. His mother died at age 36. His father married Marie Block. In 1926 the family immigrated to Manitoba. They soon moved to Oxbow, Sask. then to Hepburn/Waldheim, Sask. He married Anne Fehr in 1936. They were baptized together in Hepburn MB Church. He loved to farm, caring for animals and bringing in the harvest. He served as chair of the school board and as Sunday school teacher for the senior women. Attending church with his entire family and midweek prayer meetings were highlights for him. Though in poor health since age 50, he rarely complained. His pain and suffering were lessened by his firm belief in God. He marvelled at the miracle of creation. He loved to read God's Word, and was encouraged by its promises. He spent the last 2 years with Anne and son Edwin in Rosthern (Sask.) Mennonite Nursing Home. Predeceased by sons Rueben, Elbert, Timothy and Harvey, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Anne; children Betty Shantz of Guernsey, Sask., Peter of Saskatoon, Edwin of Rosthern, Fred of Waldheim, Sask. and Wes of Prince George, B.C.; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 28 in Waldheim MB Church, with Otto Derksen and Clarence Peters ministering.

Isaac Kornelius Epp passed away Aug. 22. He was born Oct. 14, 1905 to Kornelius and Anna Epp in Gruenfeld, Russia. In 1923 the family moved to a farm near Swift Current, Sask. In 1936 he married Catherine Rempel. They lived in Dalmeny, Sask., where he taught Bible school. He pastored Herbert (Sask.) MB Church 1943-47. They then moved to Kelowna, B.C. He worked as an orderly in Kelowna General Hospital 1952-70, staying on call for another 8 years. He also operated "Scriptural Supplies", a Christian bookstore from his home. It moved to downtown Kelowna in 1968, and was later sold, becoming "Okanagan Scriptural Supplies". After their children were grown, they opened their home to boarders, often handicapped men. He taught adult Sunday school in Kelowna MB Church, led programs in seniors' homes and directed an inter-church choir for more than 25 years, then continued as a singer. He established "Epp Tours", enjoying many years of leading seniors on tours throughout "God's Country". Catherine died April 1989. He married Adina Goll Aug. 25, 1990. His desire was that the Lord would find him faithful in service. Predeceased by Catherine, he is mourned by Adina; children Helen Rodgers, Irene Poole, Ruth Penninga, Carol Rempel, Werner, Victor and John; stepchildren Rudy, Peter, and Marietta Peters; 26 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was Aug. 26 in Grace Baptist Church, Kelowna, with Ed Hahn and Arnie Peters ministering.

Susanna Janzen passed away Oct. 1. She was born Sept. 20, 1902 to Bernhard and Anna Harder in Sagradovka, Russia. At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized. She married John Nick Janzen in 1924. They immigrated to Canada, settling in Aberdeen, Sask. As farming was difficult due to drought, they moved to Greendale, B.C. and then to Vancouver in 1952. Because John was often away from home on construction business, she spent most of her time looking after the family. She loved to sing, tell stories, work in the garden and crochet. She is remembered for her baking and home cooked meals which she loved to spread out for family and friends. She was a faithful church member and became a charter member of Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C. She enjoyed the services and the seniors' Sunday school. She and John became residents of Pinegrove Place Care Home, Richmond, B.C. Predeceased by John in 1990, she is mourned by children Susan Letkeman, John, Walter, Hilda Lowen, Tony, and Doreen; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 6 in Willingdon Church, with Carlin Weinhauer ministering.

Henry Pankratz passed away July 18. He was born Nov. 1, 1923 to Henry and Justina Pankratz in Lichtfelde, Ukraine. The family immigrated to Canada in 1929, settling in Arnaud, Man. Five years later, they moved to Steinbach, Man. He was a hard worker, helping on the farm. He participated in the church choir and showed a lot of artistic talent. At 16, he was baptized, joining Steinbach MB Church. During his teens, he was began to be troubled by mental illness, which intensified with age. He married Tina Andres in July 1953. Soon it became evident that his mental illness was deepening. In May 1957 he was admitted to Bethesda Home near Campden, Ont. Tina moved to be near him shortly thereafter; son Allen was born in November. Henry continued to work hard, but, because of his illness, was unable to hold a steady job, and he alternated between home and hospital for many years. After 1971, he lived at various private and group homes--the longest time was 20 years at Montebello Place, St. Catharines, Ont. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Tina of Vineland, Ont.; son Allen of Edmonton; 2 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was July 22 in Tallman Funeral Chapel, Vineland, with Henry Wiebe ministering.

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