OBITUARIES

Jacob Mantler passed away Nov. 19. He was born Dec. 6, 1909 to Jakob and Maria Mantler in Gnadental, Ukraine. In 1934 he married Susanna Peters; they had 3 children. During World War II, his son Jakob died in Poland, and his wife and children, Sonya and Hans, were sent to northern Russia. After much searching, he later discovered that Susanna died Nov. 16, 1952. After 3 years as a prisoner of war in Russia, he immigrated to Canada in 1948, worked on a farm in Saskatchewan, then moved to Winnipeg. In 1956 he was baptized, joining North Kildonan MB Church. He married Maria Bargen Feb. 16, 1957; they had 2 children. Jacob worked for the CNR for 23 years. He was librarian at Central MB Church in Winnipeg for over 20 years, then became a member of Elmwood MB Church. In 1993 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. In 1997 he had a stroke. He moved to Bethania Personal Care Home. He is mourned by Maria; children Linda Mills and Arthur; 4 grandchildren; and 2 brothers. The funeral was Nov. 23 in Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, with Keith Poysti, Abe Neufeld and Gerhard Friesen ministering.

John George Dueck passed away Dec. 17. He was born Aug. 22, 1908 to George and Anna Dueck in Alexanderpol, Russia. He loved the outdoors and wild animals, raising pigeons, hunting, trapping and exploring. On Aug. 22, 1924, the family decided to leave Russia, immigrating to Mexico. They moved to Winnipeg Feb. 16, 1926. He helped on the farm and worked as a labourer in factories and mills in the city. In 1928, while the family moved to British Columbia, he moved to Saskatchewan, working on the Frank Bartsch farm in Dalmeny. Here, he was treated like a son. He attended church, accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Ebenezer MB Church Aug. 11, 1929. In 1930 he visited his parents, working a year in a sawmill in Chilliwack, B.C. He returned to Saskatchewan. He married Sophie Baerg July 8, 1934. Crop failures and drought made farming difficult. With support from the family, they moved to a 10-acre farm in Greendale, B.C. in 1937. He farmed in summer and trapped in winter. He faithfully supported Greendale MB Church, serving as an usher for many years. The spiritual welfare and community testimony of the church were important to him. Predeceased by daughter Gladys Bahnman Apr. 2, 1996, he is mourned by Sophie; son Roy; daughter Evelyn Brown; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The funeral was Dec. 22 in Greendale MB Church, with Reg Toews and Dave Froese ministering.

Wilfred John Goertz

Wilfred John Goertz passed away June 23. He was born Aug. 24, 1936 to John and Susie Goertz in Waldheim, Sask. When he was 5, the family moved to the Niagara Peninsula, where they took up fruit farming. He worked on the family farm, in a canning factory and for a trucking company, and later worked as a heavy equipment and crane operator in construction. In 1964 he married Elizabeth Petkau. He loved sports, playing baseball, racing stock cars and snowmobiles, fishing, boating and golfing. He was self-reliant, inventive and adventurous, once water-skiing from Niagara to Toronto on 1 ski. He learned to cook and bake, made sausages and kept pigs, cows, ponies, chickens, peacocks and dogs. After a heart attack in 1995, he travelled extensively. Other changes occurred in his last few months. Raised in Virgil (Ont.) MB Church, he accepted Christ early in his life, and was ready to meet the Lord when he was called. He is mourned by children Wayne, Sherry Petrychenko and Robin Klassen; 4 sisters and 3 brothers. The funeral was June 26 in Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, with Herman Neufeld ministering.

Helena Kasper passed away Dec. 26. She was born Feb. 5, 1920 to Jacob and Elizabeth Kasper in Ignatievka, Russia. Five months earlier, her father escaped execution. The family spent 5 years keeping ahead of authorities. They moved to Mexico in 1925, to Grunthal, Man. in 1926 and to Avonlea, Sask. in 1929. Helena was baptized in Avonlea. Her responsibilities on the farm increased when brother Julius went to college. In 1946 the family moved to Chilliwack, B.C. She planned to do missions in Africa, but was turned down due to health reasons. She financially supported missions, helping children in Africa and missionaries. She was an accountant, retiring in 1982. She survived radical cancer surgery. She cared for her parents, who died in 1969. In 1973 she and aunt Maria Kasper moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where Helena cared for her aunt until her death in 1992. Helena loved gardening, growing beautiful flowers in the backyard. She volunteered at the MCC store and at Clearbrook Community Centre, preparing income tax returns. She is remembered for "always wanting to carry more than her share of the load". She found strength in Ps. 91:11-12. The funeral was Dec. 31 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Aganeta (Agnes) Epp passed away Dec. 7. She was born Apr. 20, 1903 to Johann and Sara Schulz in Pordenau, Molotschna, Russia. When she was 4, her mother died. Her father married Helene Braun. Agnes wanted to be a nurse. Instead, she learned to sew, making dolls' clothes at age 5. At 18 or 19, she accepted Christ, claiming Ps. 119:30. She was baptized in Alexandertal MB Church. She sang in the choir and sang solos. She was deeply touched by the death of sister Katie in 1924, holding her in her arms before she died. When her stepmother died, she became responsible for the house. In 1926 she married Gerhard Epp of Elizabethtal. Sons Peter and Edward died in infancy. On Dec. 1, 1929 the Epps fled to Germany. They came to Canada in March 1930, living with Gerhard's brother and sister in Glenlea, Man. In 1931 they moved to a farm in Osborne, Man. She worked hard, sewed for neighbours, joined the ladies' circle, helped with Red Cross projects during the war and was janitor of the church. In April 1946, they moved to a 40-acre farm in Chilliwack, B.C., where they raised berries, chickens and cows. She was involved in East Chilliwack MB Church. Gerhard died Jan. 1, 1962. In October 1962 she moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where she joined the Zion Choir. Several years later, she became blind. She declined invitations of 3 daughters to live with them. She moved to Sherwood Home in 1989 and to Tabor Home in 1992. She prayed for each family member by name. On July 13 she suffered a stroke, which temporarily robbed her of her speech. She felt that the Lord had forgotten her and longed to go home to heaven. Predeceased by Gerhard and sons Peter and Edward, she is mourned by children Walter, Erna Lenzmann, Martha Braun, Agnes Sol and Werner; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 11 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Heinrich Friesen passed away Dec. 4. He was born Feb. 21, 1913 to Johann and Katarina Friesen in Omsk, Siberia. His father died when he was 6. At 16, he fled to Brazil. He accepted Christ Jan. 27, 1935, knocking on the door as pastor Johann Boldt was praying for someone to lead to Christ. Feeling called to missions, he was baptized. He married Liese Rempel in Kraul, Santa Catarina in 1939. She died in a horse and wagon accident in 1940. He married Liese Dueck Jan. 18, 1942. In 1948 they moved to Curitiba, where he worked in an orphanage. They moved to Bage, Rio Grande de Sul, where he was a wheat farmer. He pioneered mission work among the Brazilians and was a leader in the German Colony MB Church. They moved to Vancouver in May 1969, where he was a carpenter. Retired, they moved to Abbotsford, B.C., joining King Road MB Church, later moving to Clearbrook MB Church. On Oct. 25 he suffered a stroke. He prepared to meet his Lord. Predeceased by infant twins, infant daughter Lotte in 1957, son Kurt in 1977 and 1 grandson, he is mourned by Liese; children Horst and Inge, both of California, Irene and Ervin, both of Abbotsford, and Hugo of Chilliwack, B.C.; 10 grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 9 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld, Frank Peters and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

John H. Kroeker passed away Nov. 19. He was born Feb. 9, 1913 to Heinrich Johann and Susanna Kroeker in Neuhalbstadt, Sagradowka, Ukraine. His father died in 1926. He helped his mother farm until 1930, when the farm was collectivized, then operated the farm tractors. In 1935 he was conscripted into the Russian army, serving till 1937. He married Elisabeth Duerksen May 3, 1938. They fled Russia Nov. 1, 1943. In Poland, the Gestapo questioned him about his military service. He accepted Christ. He and Elisabeth were baptized in the Brethren Church in Poland. In December 1944 he was conscripted into the German army. He was a POW in Austria. On June 9, 1945 he was reunited with his family in the Luneburger Heide. In 1948 they immigrated to La Glace, Alta., where they joined the MB Church. After 4 years, they moved to Yarrow, B.C. In 1958 they were called as deacons in Yarrow MB Church, ministering for 23 years. They retired to Abbotsford, B.C. At Clearbrook MB Church, he served on the church council and on other committees for many years. They ministered as deacons for another 14 years. They were very hospitable, hosting many guests. In 1998 cancer was found. He remained patient in suffering until called home. He is remembered as a faithful and diligent servant of the Lord. He is mourned by Elisabeth and children. The funeral was Nov. 25 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Anna Sukkau passed away Dec. 29. She was born Nov. 21, 1904 to Cornelius and Anna Toews in Terek, Caucasus, Russia. She attended a Christian school and was raised in a Christian home. She always believed in God. She loved to read and memorize Scripture. As a child she believed heaven was awarded to the good. Fearing their Tartar neighbours, the family fled to Suvorovka. Longing for assurance of salvation, she accepted Christ, claiming Gal. 2:20 through Rev. John J. Toews, her teacher. She was baptized and joined the MB church. The family returned to Terek. She married Henry Sukkau Sept. 10, 1924. In 1925 they immigrated to Swalwell, Alta., joining La Glace (Alta.) MB Church. In 1933 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., joining Yarrow MB Church. They ran a family business for 28 years, then returned to Alberta to farm. In 1963 their house burned while she was alone, but she managed to save some furniture. Retiring to Salmon Arm, B.C., they joined the Baptist church for 3 years. In 1983 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. She enjoyed family outings and gatherings and travelling to northern Canada, Greenland, the US and Europe. She is remembered for her baking, cooking and times with her children and grandchildren. She was always active in church. In her 80s, she led the Maria-Martha ladies' fellowship. She was deeply concerned about the spiritual destiny of her children and grandchildren. The last years she lived in Menno Home and Hospital. Predeceased by Henry in a traffic accident in 1987, infant son Gerhard, 1 grandson, 1 sister and 2 brothers, she is mourned by children Elizabeth Penner of Abbotsford, B.C., Harry of Kelowna, B.C., Anna Buller of Fresno, Calif., Elvina Charleton of Quesnel, B.C., George of Grande Prairie, Alta. and Marlene McDonald of Salmon Arm; 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and 1 brother. The memorial service was Jan. 2 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, John E. Klassen and Herman Buller ministering.

Agnes Pankratz

Agnes Pankratz passed away Nov. 19. She was born to Nikolaj and Katrina Rempel in Alexanderfeld, Sagradowka, Ukraine, the youngest of 2 daughters. Her mother died when Agnes was 2. Her father married Elizabeth Zacharias, a widow with 4 daughters and 2 sons; 4 children were born to them. Agnes married Peter Pankratz. In 1943 they fled to Poland. Peter was conscripted into the German army. Daughter Lena died in Poland. During this time, Agnes and Peter accepted Christ. She was baptized in Germany. For 3 years, she and her 3 children lived with a Catholic family in Germany. In 1948 they immigrated to Canada with the help of uncle John Rempel of Arnold, B.C. They lived in Arnold 1948-1964. She then moved to Abbotsford, B.C. In 1997 she move to Tabor Manor. In 1993 she was diagnosed with cancer, which recurred several months before her death. She enjoyed making items for MCC and other causes. She is mourned by children Peter, John and Helen and grandchildren. The memorial service was Nov. 24 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jake Pauls and Jay Neufeld ministering.

Frieda Ratzlaff

Frieda Ratzlaff passed away Nov. 28. She was born Mar. 4, 1915 to Herman and Wilhelmine Pauls in Wymyschle, Poland. She recalled seeing her dad for the first time when she was 5 after he returned from serving in World War I. She enjoyed singing in the choir, playing guitar and sewing. At 14, she apprenticed as a seamstress. She sewed clothes for her siblings. In her youth, she accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the MB church. She married Peter Ratzlaff Nov. 21, 1936. He was conscripted into the army in World War II. In 1944 they evacuated to Germany, living with farmers in Marklendorf. She was reunited with Peter after the war. In August 1948 they immigrated to Alberta, settling in Gem, then Coaldale. In October 1997 Peter and Frieda moved to Sunny South Lodge. After a year, she moved to a nursing home, then Coaldale Hospital. Though Alzheimer's robbed her of her memory, she always recognized family, greeting them with a smile. Predeceased by son Willie and 1 sister, she is mourned by Peter; children Ella Neufeldt, Loretta Dyck, Marlene Enns and Harold; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Dec. 1 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.

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