Obituaries

John Janzen passed away Jan. 13 of cancer. He was born Dec. 24, 1926 to Jakob Kornelius and Katarina Janzen in Ladin, Brandenburg, Germany. Six months later, the family moved to Laird, Sask. In 1941 they moved to Hamilton, Ont. After high school, John worked as a fire stoker at the railroad roundhouse in Hamilton and on the family fruit farm in Grimsby, Ont. He continued both jobs after his father died in 1954. In 1956 he married Magdalene Dyck. He completed Grade 13 by correspondence while still holding 2 jobs, graduated from Hamilton Teachers' College in 1960 and started teaching Grade 4 in Grimsby Central Public School that fall. He loved teaching. He completed a B.A. and M.A. through evening classes and summer school. He taught 26 years at Central, Lakeview, Hagar and Senator Gibson Elementary Schools. He was principal during the last 15 years of those years. He accepted Christ as a teen, and was baptized several years later. He attended Vineland (Ont.) MB Church. He taught VBS in east Hamilton, and helped found Mountview MB Church, Stoney Creek, Ont. He served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent, as church secretary, on the Constitutional Committee of the Ontario MB Conference and on various boards of MCC Ontario. In recent years, he and Maggie enjoyed fellowship at Centennial Park Baptist Church. After retiring, they taught English for 2 years in China. He helped at Adult Friendship Club, working with mentally handicapped adults. He enjoyed birdwatching, hiking in the woods and examining plants and animals. The family camped in every province except Newfoundland. Predeceased by 1 brother and 1 sister, he is mourned by Magdalene; children Robert of Jordan, Ont., Susan Green of Beamsville, Ont. and Becky Gordon of Arkona, Ont.; 11 grandchildren; 4 brothers and 1 sister.

Annalora Wiebe passed away Jan. 15. She was born Sept. 24, 1939 to Jacob and Alice Wiebe in Jordan, Ont. In 1944 the family settled in St. Catharines, Ont. She accepted Christ and was baptized in Scott St. MB Church in 1960. At 16, she left school and worked in a seniors' home. After about 25 years, she began to experience difficulty completing tasks. After a year of retraining, she worked in a restaurant. Difficulty with learning and remembering increased so that by 1990 she was unable to work. She was diagnosed with a dementia of the Alzheimer's type. For several years, she was part of Bethesda's senior day program. She loved family celebrations, her nieces and nephews, sending birthday cards and reading to others. One of her last skills was to sing well almost every song in the hymnbook. "Standing on the Promises", "Count Your Blessings" and "Amazing Grace" were favourites. In September 1997 she moved to Albright Manor, Beamsville, Ont. Predeceased by her mother in 1948 and her father in 1992, she is mourned by her stepmother Elisabeth; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Jan. 19 in Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, with her brother John ministering.

Helen Klassen passed away Jan. 25. She was born Dec. 25, 1920 to Henry and Anna Klassen in Schoendorf, Ukraine. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Laird, Sask. Several moves followed. In 1934 the family moved from McMahon, Sask. to Vauxhall, Alta. In 1941 Helen's mother died. In 1943 Katie Reimer became her stepmother. In 1943, Helen was baptized and joined Vauxhall MB Church. The family moved to Coaldale, Alta. Helen worked at various jobs. Frugal and hard-working, she owned a succession of homes. She worked on many crafts and quilts for MCC. In 1996 she suffered a stroke, and moved to Sunny South Lodge. She is remembered as a fun aunt, and someone who wanted to serve the Lord in whatever way she could. Working in the MCC thrift store gave her much joy. She was a cheerful person, with a ready wit. Predeceased by 4 brothers, she is mourned by her stepmother; sisters Anne Epp of Vauxhall and Mary Dyck of Linden, Alta.; brother Bill of Cardston, Alta. and stepbrother Henry Reimer of Coaldale. The funeral was Jan. 28 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.

Crystal Dawn Siemens, 32, passed away Jan. 1. She was born to Derwood and Arlie Hermanson in Swift Current, Sask. She earned a B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988. She taught in Lampman High School. In summer 1991 she married Russell Siemens. She taught at Swift Current Comprehensive High School for 1 year, was a substitute teacher until 1997, then began full-time teaching at St. Joseph's Middle School. She was a gifted communicator and a caring teacher, and was active in church. As a child, she attended Nordland Lutheran Church in Stewart Valley, Sask. She enjoyed Sunday school and Bible camp. She served as organist and ministered in music. As a teen, she enjoyed youth at Trailview Alliance Church, Swift Current. In June 1997 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She found strength in Ps. 138:7. Her treatments ended in June 1998, and she was given a clean bill of health. On Dec. 15, cancer was found on her liver and lungs. She was a wonderful wife and loving mother, known for her tremendous energy, joy for life, sense of humour and commitment to Jesus Christ. She wrote songs and poetry and created store displays and crafts. She had the gift of encouragement. She is mourned by Russell; sons Colten and Marshall; grandparents Walter and Clarine Hermanson; her parents; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 5 in Trailview Alliance Church, with John Healey ministering.

Tina Boldt passed away Feb. 5. She was born Sept. 16, 1923 to John and Maria Boldt in Karpovka, Ukraine. In 1930 the family moved to Friedensruh, Paraguay. Here her mother and 3 sisters died of typhoid fever. but she recovered. Her father married Liese Funk a year later. Tina was babysitter and friend to her stepbrother and stepsisters. At 24, she accepted Christ and was baptized, joining the EMB Church in Fernheim, Paraguay. In 1953-54 the family moved to Canada. In 1955 they moved from Leamington, Ont. to St. Catharines, Ont. She received her R.N. certificate in Paraguay, then took an R.N.A. course in Canada. Caring for people was a passion. She worked at an orphanage in Asuncion, Paraguay, St. Catharines General Hospital, Bethesda and Tabor Manor. She is remembered as a good baker. At Camp Crossroads, she was affectionately named one of the "bun ladies". She was active in Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines. She had an outstanding memory. She loved story-telling and acting. Each story she told had a moral, that God is in control. A favourite verse was John 16:33. Her nieces and nephews remember her as an aunt who went the extra mile. She is mourned by brother Jake of St. Catharines and sisters Elizabeth Wall, Helen Thiessen, Anne Wiebe and Joanne Unruh, all of St. Catharines, and Agnes Toews of Leamington. The funeral was Feb. 8 in Scott St. MB Church, with Marvin Friesen, Rudie Willms and Vic Loewen ministering.

Aganetha (Nettie) F. Peters passed away Feb. 4. She was born June 23, 1914 to Kornelius K. and Anna Epp in Gruenfeld, Baratov, Russia. Nine years later, the family fled to Germany, then Canada. She was delayed in Germany for eye treatment for 2 years. The family homesteaded near Swift Current, Sask. She accepted Christ at 17. On Nov. 14, 1934, she married Frank Peters, a widower with 1 son. They served in church ministry around Swift Current, and were founding members of Swift Current MB Church. She served in the MCC thrift store and as a leader of the church's senior women's fellowship. She patiently invested love in her family, and was sincerely interested and committed to each member, praying for each one. She had a stroke in May 1988. She was anxious to die, but gained peace, saying, "Jesus will come when He's ready." Predeceased by Frank in 1984, son John in 1971, a granddaughter, 3 sisters and 2 brothers, she is mourned by children Adina Mooney of Victoria, Lory Dyck of Winnipeg, Marlene Esau of Delta, B.C., Frank of Duncan, B.C., Jim of Edmonton, George of Regina, Chris of Holland and Don of Winnipeg; 22 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. The memorial service was Feb. 9 in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, with Lorne Willms and Ken Dyck ministering.

Susie Walde passed away Jan. 28. She was born Dec. 29, 1908 to Peter and Helena Martens in Alexanderwohl, Ukraine. In 1925 the family immigrated to Canada. They farmed in Alberta. In 1942 she married Henry Walde, a widower with 5 children; 4 more children were added; one died in infancy. In 1947 they moved to a farm in Chilliwack, B.C. They were charter members of Broadway MB Church. She loved gardening, growing a field of flowers. In 1978 they retired. They made over 3000 quilts for MCC 1985-90. She always offered coffee and baked goods or a meal to visitors. In 1998 they moved to Menno Terrace, Abbotsford, B.C. She is mourned by Henry; children Hilda Stewart, Henry, Anne Unger, Irma Mitchell, Mag Cross, Joanne Peerless, Alice Gray and Albert; 26 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 2 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 1 in Broadway MB Church, with Bob Friesen and Henry Warkentin ministering.

Lydia Coles passed away Oct. 12 of bone cancer. She was born to David and Margaret Siemens in Slavograd, Russia in 1918. When she was 8, the family immigrated to Canada. They lived in Winnipeg; they farmed and sold vegetables and butter; the older sisters did housework for other families. In 1930 the family moved to Yarrow, B.C., where they had a raspberry, chicken and dairy farm. In her early 20s, she married Bob Scott in Vancouver, where they raised 2 daughters. In March 1972 she married George Coles in Vancouver. Lydia worked in accounts for Woodwards Dept. Stores in Vancouver until retiring at 65. She and George moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where she could be with her sisters and return to her church. George died in January 1997. Lydia enjoyed needlepoint and crocheting, was an avid reader of religious and mystery books and was a very good golfer in her younger years. In her last 2 years, her eyesight worsened, making it impossible for her to read or to stitch. Loved ones read to her and gave her recorded books, including the Bible. She is mourned by daughters Carolyn Robinson and Diane Zepeski; stepdaughter Jo; 5 grandchildren; stepgrandchildren; and 2 sisters. The memorial service was Oct. 26 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Wiebe ministering.

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