Obituaries

Helen Ewert passed away July 11. She was born Apr. 10, 1903 to Peter and Susanna Riediger in Berdiansk, Russia. At 16, she accepted Christ. After the Russian Revolution, the family moved to Waldheim, Ukraine, where she was baptized. She married Isaac T. Ewert in 1922. They immigrated to Canada in 1929. She served the Lord by supporting Isaac in his ministries as an itinerant pastor and Bible school teacher. They were called to pastor Zion MB Church, Kitchener, Ont., where she played the piano and organ. After retirement, they joined Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church. A favourite saying of hers was "Keep looking up." Predeceased by Isaac in 1984, she is mourned by children Rudolph, Peter, Ernie, Martha Johnstone, Helen Pfisterer, Elfrieda Krahn and Cathy Wiens. The funeral was July 15 in Waterloo MB Church, with Mike Frantz ministering.

Peter H. Hiebert passed away Oct. 16 of leukemia. He was born Sept. 8, 1927 to Martin M. and Tina Hiebert in the Grossweide school district in Manitoba. He attended Grossweide MB Church. At 15, he accepted Christ after an invitation at a Ron Dalzell meeting. Dalzell took him through John 3:16, replacing "whosoever" with his name. Afterward, he felt so relieved that he ran the half-mile home. He was baptized, joining the church. He attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School. He served the church in many capacities, including Sunday school superintendent, deacon and treasurer. He enjoyed singing in the choir. He married Tina Heide Oct. 15, 1950. They farmed until 1980. In 1984 they moved to Winkler, where he was custodian at WBI 1984-1992. They joined Winkler MB Church. He enjoyed involvement with the seniors. In retirement, he enjoyed family, friends and camping. He is mourned by Tina; children Grace Zacharias of Morden, Man., Garry of Middle Lake, Sask. and Karen of Winkler; 5 granddaughters; 5 brothers and 1 sister. The memorial service was Oct. 20 in Winkler MB Church, with Neil Block and William Schroeder ministering.

Luise Penner passed away Nov. 2. She was born Nov. 17, 1913 to Gerhard and Katharina Wiens in Alexandrovsk, Ukraine. In July 1923 the family immigrated to Canada, settling on the Sheldon Farm near Hanley, Sask. In 1933 she was baptized, joining the Mennonite church in Saskatoon. She attended Normal School and became a teacher in Gouldtown. She married Cornelius Penner Aug. 14, 1938 in Saskatoon. In the late 1940s, they moved to Yarrow, B.C. In 1954 they joined Grace EMB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., where Luise worked with children. She was a keen observer of nature and found beauty in everything. They travelled to many countries, including 4 trips to South America, where Cornelius provided consultation to food processors. Luise was an avid reader. She liked arranging flowers, looking after children and cooking. She never neglected Bible reading in English and in German. They moved to Abbotsford in 1978. Cornelius suffered a stroke in July 1988 and moved to Worthington Pavilion. Predeceased by a sister and a brother, she is mourned by Cornelius; children Rita Whitely, Henry, Anita Wahl, Alice Gro, Elaine Klassen, Kim Dueck, Louis, and Dennis; and 15 grandchildren. The funeral was Nov. 5 in Grace EMB Church, with Dwain Holsapple and Lyle Wahl ministering.

Ingeborg Ramona McComb passed away Oct. 24. She was born Dec. 18, 1914 at Fosston, Sask. She graduated in spring 1942 from Two Rivers Bible Institute. She went for a term to Africa with Sudan Interior Mission. In 1951 she married Cliff McComb, a widower with 1 daughter. They served as missionaries to the native peoples of northern Canada until retirement in the mid-1980s. In 1986 they moved to Three Hills, Alta. She moved to Linden (Alta.) Nursing Home in May 1992. She is mourned by Cliff of Linden; daughter Judy Faulkner of Crossfield, Alta.; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Oct. 28 in Linden MB Church, with Ralph Klassen ministering.

John Tobias Unruh passed away Oct. 16. He was born Nov. 15, 1896 to Tobias and Anna Unruh in Muensterberg, Zagradovka, Russia. After 4 years of schooling, he trained in carpentry and helped his father build wagons and furniture and renovate homes. He learned about God's love from his parents. Commitment to God, Bible reading and prayer were very important to him. In World War I he was drafted into the army, remaining in the White Army until 1921-22. He escaped to Danzig, where he married Lina Wohlegemuth Mar. 6, 1923. In September, with the help of MCC, they moved to Rosthern, Sask. After 9 years, they homesteaded near Glenbush, Sask. On Sundays they went to church, where he taught Sunday school. In 1948 they moved to Black Creek, B.C. They lived here 30 years. Lina's health declined so they moved to Peace Lutheran Care Home, Fort St. John, B.C. He continued with wood-working, making doll houses, cradles, rocking chairs and jumping jacks until age 100. He enjoyed people, but as he grew older, his eyesight and hearing failed. He appreciated visits from family and friends. He left his family a legacy of loving God and caring for others, regardless of race, age and status. He taught them a sense of humour often eases a burden and adds joy to life; and that it never hurts to go the extra mile. Predeceased by Lina in 1988, daughter Olga in 1976, 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers and 3 sisters, he is mourned by children John of Oliver, B.C., Ben of Farmington, B.C., Abe of Cecil Lake, B.C., Eva of Victoria, Ruth Klaassen of Sechelt, B.C., Erika Buller of Grande Prairie, Alta. and Rita of Victoria; 26 grandchildren; 73 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. The funeral was Oct. 22 in Peace Lutheran Church, Fort St. John, with Ken Buller and Cyril Isaac ministering.

Anne Janzen passed away Oct. 27. She was born Sept. 8, 1908 to Cornelius and Susanna Loewen in Morse, Sask. When she was 6 months old, the family moved to Gretna, Man. They moved several times, living 4 years in Mexico. In 1926 they moved near Morden, Man. They worshipped in the Herald Church, and she sang in the church choir. She felt the Holy Spirit touch her heart when she sang "Lord, You are so quiet, so still, so clean; give me strength to follow You, You alone." In 1932 the family moved to Morden, Man. She worked for several years and attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School. In 1937 she was baptized, joining Winkler MB Church. In 1947 she started her own seamstress business, sewing and giving lessons. She enjoyed sewing and the opportunity it gave her to meet people, continuing to do alterations until August 1998. She married Henry H. Janzen Oct. 30, 1955. They farmed in the Burwalde district until 1963, when they retired to Morden. Henry died Feb. 1, 1990. Five years later, she moved to a unit at Tabor. She enjoyed relatively good health until her last year. Predeceased by Henry, 2 sisters and 3 brothers, she is mourned by stepdaughter Rosa Rempel; 4 stepgrandchildren; and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 31 in Westside Community Church, Morden, with Russ Toews ministering.

Kaethe (Kae) Nickel passed away Nov. 10. She was born Apr. 13, 1929 to David and Sara Durksen in Arnaud, Man. She attended MCI, Gretna, Man. At a young age, she accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Arnaud MB Church. In 1947 the family moved to St. Catharines, Ont. She joined Scott Street MB Church, later transferring to Grantham MB Church. She sang in numerous choirs, church groups and a ladies double trio. She enjoyed singing "the old favourites" with her family. Nurse's training was thwarted by a bout of rheumatoid arthritis. She became a lab technologist, working at Winnipeg Red Cross and St. Catharines General Hospital. She loved to travel and make new friends; she nurtured these friendships with letters and cards. Family was integral to her. She gave up her dream of working in Australia to care for her ailing mother. She organized reunions, helped name her nieces and nephews, gave advice in their training and took many pictures of the family. She married Clarence Nickel Oct. 30, 1976. She became a good homemaker and adapted to farm life. In 1987 they retired to West Guilford, Ont. She was active in the Gideons, as well as with the music ministry and a ladies' group in Lakeside Baptist Church, Haliburton, Ont. She entertained many friends and family. Despite cancer, she was determined that life would go on, and she attended as many activities as she could. They moved to St. Catharines in summer 1998. Predeceased by 1 stepsister and 1 brother, she is mourned by Clarence; stepchildren Marlene Hiebert, Robert, and Phil, all of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., Sandra of Burnaby, B.C. and James of St. Catharines; 10 stepgrandchildren; 6 sisters and 4 brothers. The funeral was Nov. 13 in Grantham MB Church, with Brian Plouffe ministering.

Elizabeth (Betty) Driedger passed away Sept. 20. She was born Apr. 20, 1919 to John and Maria Driedger in Memrik, Ukraine. In 1924 the family immigrated to southern Manitoba. After a few moves, they purchased a farm near Moore Park. In her teens, she moved to Winnipeg, where she worked as a maid to help her family financially. She received much spiritual help at Mary Martha Home. At 14, she accepted Christ, basing her faith on Matt. 11:28 and John 6:37. In 1938 she was baptized, joining North End (Elmwood) MB Church. She moved back to Moore Park and attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School for 3 winters. She faithfully taught Sunday school and DVBS. After her father's death, she lived with her mother and Aunt Annie. In 1956 they moved to Brandon, Man. When her mother's and aunt's health failed, she gave up her job and cared for them. After they died, she started a new career. She visited many older and lonely people in Brandon, reading and encouraging them and bringing them gifts from her garden. She enjoyed knitting and reading and was a prayer warrior. Predeceased by 2 brothers, she is mourned by 5 brothers and 1 sister. The memorial service was Sept. 25 in Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, with John Unger ministering.

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