Obituaries

Katharina Matthies passed away Jan. 17. She was born Mar. 8, 1925 to Abraham and Anna Derksen in Kresnopol, Ukraine. When she was 5, the family immigrated to the Chaco, Paraguay. After 7 years, the family moved to Friesland, Paraguay. At 16, Katharina started to work for other farmers. She accepted Christ after attending a crusade and was baptized. She married Aron Matthies May 20, 1947. They farmed, living with his parents 7 years until they could afford a house. Their 3 daughters moved to Canada 1972-1975. Katharina and Aron joined them May 19, 1996. She enjoyed company and happily opened her home to guests. She felt for others and always offered a listening ear. In October 1997 Katharina started to have difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with bronchiactises, an incurable and progressive lung disease. In August 1998 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is mourned by Aron; children Sidony Martens, Georg, Irene Martens, Hans, and Lucy Boldt; 17 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 5 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Jan. 21 in Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., with John Unrau and Hans Wiens ministering.

Mary Jessie Toews passed away Feb. 28. She was born Dec. 16, 1910 to Aron A. and Agnes Toews in Ukraine. In 1926 the family immigrated to Saskatchewan, then settled on a farm near Namaka, Alta. At 17, she accepted Christ through China missionary Frank Wiens. She was thankful her parents taught her the way of salvation. She took teacher training, supporting herself by doing housework. She taught school 3 years, then was called to missions through Is. 50:7. She studied at Prairie Bible Institute and linguistic school in Saskatchewan. She earned a B.R.E. from MB Bible College. She later earned a B.A. from Tabor College, an M.Sc. from Kansas State University, Belgian teaching credentials and a post-graduate degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. She learned French and Kituba. Going to Congo in 1947, she directed a school in Kafumba, bringing it up to government standards. In the 1960s, she taught the wives of government leaders in Kinshasa. On furlough, she travelled through Egypt, Greece, the Holy Land and India. She started a junior high school in Kajiji and taught senior high school in Kitwit. Many students accepted the Lord. Five went on to earn doctoral degrees, becoming church and community leaders. Because of constant malaria, she returned to Canada in 1972. She was a substitute teacher, then took care of June and Judith Johansen for over 8 years. She was active in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. In 1989 she visited Congo. She had a heart for missions, the church, the MB Conference and schools like MEI. In her last years, she was a member of Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. She summed up her life with Ps. 16:11. She was predeceased by 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 4 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls, Henry Thiessen, John B. Toews and Fred Epp ministering.

George Henry Hooge passed away Feb. 4. He was born Jan. 26, 1926 to Henry George and Helena Hooge in Franzthal, Molotschna, Ukraine. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada, farming in Pilot Butte, then Balgonie, Sask. George was not a healthy child. The family moved to Regina in 1928, to Yarrow, B.C. in 1932 and then to Abbotsford, B.C. He attended school until grade 8. He and his brother Jacob worked hard to support the family, clearing land and picking hops and berries. In 1950 he accepted Christ during a Janz Brothers crusade. In 1952 he was baptized. He was a charter member of McCallum Road MB Church. In 1952 he attended Bible school, excelling in Bible memorization. Scripture and song were foundational in his Christian walk. While visiting friends in Ontario, he met Hildegard Derksen. He returned to B.C. and a courtship via mail continued. They married Nov. 13, 1954 in Vineland, Ont. They purchased a farm in Abbotsford, B.C. Four children were born, and they adopted son Shan An in 1970. In 1963 they bought a raspberry farm. In 1989 they retired to a condo. The last 15 years, George struggled with Parkinson's. Hildegard cared for him at home. His favourite Scripture was Ps. 18:1,2. He is mourned by Hildegard; children Charlotte Derksen, Jennifer Stein, Miranda Dollinger, Gilbert, and Shan An; 15 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The memorial service was Feb. 8 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Walter Balzer ministering.

Elisabeth Kroeker passed away Mar. 6. She was born Nov. 23, 1915 to Jakob and Katharina Duerksen in Neuhalbstadt, Sagradowka, Ukraine. She received 5 years of schooling. She was close to her younger sister Mariechen. In 1931 her parents and their 4 youngest children were exiled to the Ural Mountains to work in forest camps. In 1932 her father sent Elisabeth and Mariechen back with their brother Julius, who was visiting them. Without documents, they returned with him to Dirilow, where they worked on a collective farm. In 1936 Elisabeth returned to Neuhalbstadt, living with her sister Aganetha and family. She married Johann H. Kroeker May 3, 1938. They worked on the collective farm. In 1936 Elisabeth's father died, and her mother came to live with them. In 1943 they fled to Poland, reaching Warthegau in February 1944. Here, they accepted Christ and were baptized in Peace Chapel, joining the MB Church. Johann was conscripted, and the family fled to Germany. Johann was reunited with them June 9, 1945. In 1948 they immigrated to La Glace, Alta. In 1952 they moved to Yarrow, B.C. Elisabeth and Johann were deacons in Yarrow MB Church. In 1975 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C., continuing to serve as deacons and doing visitation. Enjoying having people in her home for meals, she was an excellent hostess who did not overlook widows and singles. In 1998 lung cancer was discovered. Predeceased by Johann and daughter Betty Pedersen of cancer in November 1998, she is mourned by children John, Agnes Penner, Kay, Hank, and Elsie Leontowich; 8 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 11 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Margareta Loewen passed away Jan. 28. She was born Jan. 23, 1909 to Henry and Elizabeth Klassen in Alexanderfeld, Sagradowka, Ukraine. She accepted Christ as a teen, and in April 1924 was baptized in Altonau. On Jan. 23, 1929, she married Abram B. Loewen. In 1929 both of their families wanted to immigrate to Canada, but only Margareta and Abram were given permission. They arrived in Germany Nov. 25, 1929. Unable to immigrate to Canada, they went to Paraguay in 1930. The difficult conditions and intense heat left their marks on her. On a doctor's advice, they moved to Canada in 1950. After 2 years in Yarrow, B.C., they moved to Arnold, B.C., where they farmed until 1965. They then moved to Abbotsford, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. During retirement, they visited Paraguay and made 3 trips to Germany to visit family and friends. Margareta kept busy sewing, crocheting, making quilts for MCC and reading, using a German/English dictionary to read English books from the church library. In 1985 they moved to Evergreen Village. She began suffering memory loss. In November 1995 she moved to Menno Home. She looked forward to Abram's visits, and they often would be seen holding hands. Abram died in August 1996. She missed him very much, but knew he was in a better place. Predeceased by Abram, daughter Linda in 1969, 2 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by children Elizabeth Kliewer, Katie Enns, Lydia Koop, Abe, John, Walter, Helmut, and Alvin; 22 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 2 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jacob Pauls and George Baier ministering.

Katherine Friesen passed away Feb. 25. She was born May 3, 1914 to Peter and Justina Bahnmann in Reinfeld, Sagradowka, Ukraine. Her father was killed by bandits. In 1924 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Herbert, Sask. At 11, Katherine went to work in various homes, helping to provide for the family. In 1926 her mother married Henry Goertzen. As a child at her mother's knee, Katherine accepted Christ, claiming I John 1:9. She was baptized Aug. 24, 1930. After finishing school, she worked for different families doing housework, chores and babysitting. She completed a 9-month training course as a nurse's aide in 1949. She worked in Calgary, Beechy, Sask. and Swift Current, Sask. hospitals. She was a dedicated and compassionate caregiver who loved her work. On Oct. 9, 1965, she married Waldemar Friesen, a widower from Herbert, Sask. with 5 grown children. They enjoyed travelling and entertaining friends. Waldemar died Apr. 24, 1972. She remained in Herbert until 1985, when she moved to Abbotsford, B.C. She wrote in her journal: "My desire is to be more like Jesus. He will hold me up if I'll only trust Him day by day." She loved to serve at Clearbrook Community Centre. She prayed for her family and was a constant encouragement to them. In 1998 she became ill with cancer. Predeceased by Waldemar, daughter Irene and 2 sisters, she is mourned by children David, Frank, Paul, and Ella; 16 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 3 sisters. The memorial service was Mar. 1 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jacob Pauls, Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Viola Dorothy Warkentin passed away Mar. 4. She was born Sept. 27, 1934 to George and Martha Warkentin at Waldheim, Sask. She accepted Christ as a young child. She was baptized June 26, 1949 in Lake Manitoba, near Ashern, Man. She attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School for 2 years, then went to Success College, Winnipeg. She worked as an accountant for many years. In 1952 she was stricken with polio, and from then on her health declined. In 1970 the family moved to St. Catharines, Ont., where she attended Fairview MB Church. Viola was an avid reader and loved needlework and crocheting. She was a prayer warrior. In 1994 she had surgery to remove a kidney. In 1997 she moved to Tabor Manor Nursing Home. Kay Teigrob and Hildegard Wall were a great encouragement to her. In January 1998 her father died, which affected her greatly. In her last days, she expressed a desire to fall asleep and wake up in heaven. Predeceased by her father, her mother in 1984 and brother John in 1943, she is mourned by sister Grace Klassen of St. Catharines, brother Wilfred of Morden, Man. and sister Edith Grimes of St. Catharines. The funeral was Mar. 8 in Tallman Funeral Home, Vineland, Ont., with Waldo Pauls ministering.

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