Obituaries

Jacob (Jake) Henry Enns passed away May 19 of a heart attack, suffered while walking home from work at the MCC store in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born June 19, 1927 to Henry A. and Margaret Enns in Zeneta, Sask. In 1929 the family moved to Yarrow, B.C. At an early age, he accepted Christ; he was baptized Sept. 7, 1944 and joined Yarrow MB Church. He sang in the church choir and helped in Sunday school. In 1953 he graduated from Elim Bible School, Yarrow. He continuted to lived on the farm in Yarrow after his parents moved to Menno Home. He moved to Abbotsford, joining Bakerview MB Church in 1974. He is remembered as a sensitive man who loved the Lord and was always ready to help those in need. He is mourned by 4 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was May 25 in Bakerview MB Church, with John Neufeld and Henry Thiessen ministering.

Jacob (Jack) David Klassen passed away May 19 of a stroke in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Apr. 14, 1914 to David and Marie Klassen in Stavropol, Russia. At 11, he accepted Christ. In 1926 the family moved to Canada, purchasing a farm at Arnaud, Man. The family moved to North Kildonan, where he sold milk and chickens door-to-door. He drove streetcar and trolley in Winnipeg. He played string bass in an orchestra. In 1942 he married Erna Claassen. They purchased a general store in Chilliwack, B.C. He worked for East Chilliwack Co-op. In 1954 he became president and bookkeeper of East Chilliwack Credit Union. They attended East Chilliwack MB Church. They then moved to Abbotsford and attended Bakerview MB Church. Jack served in the church, community, prison ministry, Cheam Housing Society, MCC and Clearbrook Golden Age Society, and was alderman. He enjoyed music all his life and loved gardening. He is remembered for his jokes, spirit of adventure, love for his family and steadfast faith in God. He is mourned by Erna; children Rick, Dorothy, Sue and Betti; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and 1 sister. The funeral was May 22 in Bakerview MB Church, with Henry Thiessen and Wally Unger ministering.

Helmut Klassen passed away Apr. 3 in Oliver, B.C., in the presence of family singing and praying. He was born Nov. 11, 1931 to Dietrich and Agatha Klassen in Kitchener, Ont. He grew up on the family fruit farm in Vineland, Ont., then moved to Virgil, Ont. At 13, he accepted Christ while kneeling in prayer with his father. In high school, he met Laura Braun; they married June 25, 1955. After graduating from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, in 1956, he pastored the MB church in Regina. He studied at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., and earned a B.Div. from MB Biblical Seminary in 1963. He served with Mexican youth at Sunset Gardens MB Church, Fresno, then pastored Peden Hill MB Church, Prince George, B.C., Oliver Gospel Chapel (until it closed) and Oliver Mennonite Church. He then worked at the local IGA store until Parkinson's disease made it too difficult to continue. His last 9 years were spent in long-term care facilities in Oliver. He is remembered for his love of nature, especially birds; a unique sense of humour; and his extensive knowledge and helpful teaching of Scripture. He is mourned by Laura; children James, Joan Anderson, Jerold, Nathan, and Carmen Blair; 13 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The memorial service was Apr. 18 in Park Drive Pentecostal Assembly, Oliver, with Jim Cornock ministering.

John G. Friesen passed away Apr. 30 in Dalmeny, Sask. He was born Jan. 23, 1907 to George J. and Agatha Friesen at Munich, N.D. In 1921 the family moved to a farm near Hepburn, Sask. He attended school mainly in winter since he was needed on the farm. He was baptized in 1924 by P.J. Friesen and joined Hepburn MB Church. He married Annie Voth Dec. 28, 1930. They farmed near Hepburn. The early years were difficult. John loved his horses and took pride in having them well groomed. He loved spring for its new life and hope. He loved music and became an accomplished cornet player. He joined the Mennon Band and the Hepburn Band. In 1967 they moved to Hepburn, where they were janitors for 13 years. In 1993 they moved to the Seniors' Lodge in Waldheim, Sask. He is remembered as a quiet, gentle, loving man. He worried a lot in later years, becoming increasingly withdrawn and depressed. After Annie died in 1994, he moved to Spruce Manor Special Care Home, Dalmeny. He longed to go to the better place the Lord had prepared for him. Predeceased by 4 brothers and 3 sisters, he is mourned by children Arnold of Regina, Harold of Hepburn and Dorothy Amendt of Debolt, Alta.; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 5 in Hepburn MB Church, with Ross Penner ministering.

Sarah Voth passed away May 26 in Saskatoon. She was born Mar. 5, 1912 to Peter I. and Maria Teichroeb in Hague, Sask. She was taught to pray and be thankful to God. At 14, she started working for neighbours so she could buy her own clothes and help support the farm. She attended school until grade 7 with a dream to teach. At 18, she accepted Christ; at 21, she was baptized in the Bergthaler Church. She later joined the Rudnerweidner (now EMMC) Church. She married David J. Voth Nov. 9, 1947. They farmed near Hepburn, Sask. She later joined Hepburn MB Church, where David was a member. In 1967 they moved to Hepburn, where they enjoyed gardening. David died in February 1990. In 1995 she moved to Central Place Apartments, Saskatoon. She was very lonely, and her health deteriorated. In June 1997 she moved to Central Haven Special Care Home, where she enjoyed the Christian fellowship. She is remembered as a prayer warrior, praying daily for her family to the end. She loved teaching Sunday school, ushering, ladies' fellowship and quilting and s. Later David and Eva moved into Yarrow, then to Pacific Place condominium and Evergreen Village, Abbotsford. They joined Clearbrook MB Church. He later moved to Menno Home. He is mourned by Eva; children Rufus of Abbotsford, Walter of Sundre, Alta., Olga Wiens of Yarrow, Harry of Uddevalla, Sweden, and Aron of Yarrow; 20 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and 5 sisters. The funeral was May 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and John Balzer ministering.

Nicolai Henry Wiens passed away May 28 of a stroke in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Nov. 26, 1904 to Heinrich and Maria Wiens in Ukraine. In 1917 his mother died of cancer. His father remarried in 1918, and the family moved to Lindenort. The family fled to the Molotschna. Nicolai accepted Christ in 1926, was baptized and joined Lichtenau Mennonite Church. In 1927-28 he served in the military, building roads. He married Tina Lepp Oct. 8, 1929. They then fled to Moscow. In 1930 they immigrated to Canada. They lived in Hepburn, Sask., Yarrow, B.C., Black Creek, B.C., Arnold, B.C., Huntingdon, B.C. and Clearbrook, B.C. He spent most of his working days on his berry and dairy farms. He received the honour of Raspberry King for his outstanding yield per acre. They retired to Clearbrook. He built and sold a number of houses. They travelled to Europe, Africa, South America, Canada, the US and the Holy Land. He took interest in the activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even to the end. He built many things for his family. In 1965 Nicolai and Tina joined Clearbrook MB Church, where they sang in choirs and used their gifts. He enjoyed good health for most of his life. In the last years, they moved to Tabor Home. He cared for Tina during a lengthy illness. She died July 19, 1997. Also predeceased by son John, daughter Agnes in infancy and 1 grandson, he is mourned by children Henry, Cornie, Margaret Neufeld, Ernie, Nic, Rubin and Walter; 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was June 9 in Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and Jay Neufeld ministering.

Gerhard (George) G. Kruger passed away May 24 in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Jan. 14, 1902 to Gerhard and Maria Kruger in Lindenort, Molotschna, Ukraine. The family moved frequently as his father worked as a millhand, but they later settled on a farm in Prangenau. His father was conscripted into forestry service, and Gerhard and his brother John carried on the farm work. Gerhard was a good student, but his education was disrupted by the Russian Revolution. In November 1923 he married Margaret Funk of Mariawohl. Son Henry was born. Gerhard was drafted and served 2 1/2 years with the Red army. He and Margaret moved to Amur, Siberia. After 9 months, they fled to China. In September 1929 they arrived in San Francisco. He worked for a grape farmer. They attended Reedley (Calif.) MB Church. During evangelistic services with C.N. Hiebert in 1935, they accepted Christ, gaining assurance of salvation. They were baptized and joined Dinuba (Calif.) MB Church. They taught Sunday school and served on the food committee. He was a board member of Immanuel School. They adopted Elsie. Margaret died in 1960. In 1961 he married Martha Wiebe in Herbert, Sask. After 20 years in the US, they moved to Abbotsford, joining Clearbrook MB Church. In March 1997 he moved to Menno Home. In 1999 he moved to Menno Hospital. Predeceased by Margaret, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, he is mourned by Martha; son Henry; daughter Elsie Duvall; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held in Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen and Don Enns ministering, and in California.

Peter Koop passed away May 21 in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Dec. 22, 1908 in Alexandrovka, Bachmut, Russia. In 1926 he came to Canada. His parents arrived in 1927, moving to Rosthern, Sask. Peter worked in sugar beet fields in Coaldale, Alta. He accepted Christ and was baptized in 1932, joining Coaldale MB Church. He began corresponding with Mary Janzen of Winnipeg. They married Jan. 10, 1935 in Arnaud, Man. They lived for a while with her parents in Arnaud. After son Peter was born, they moved to Alberta, where they worked with sugar beets. They later moved to Vauxhall, Alta. and farmed. Son Henry and daughters MaryAnn, Agnes and Annie were born. Henry died in a barn fire in 1944. In 1945 they moved to Mission, B.C. In 1972 they retired from the farm to Abbotsford. Mary died in 1986. In 1989 he moved to an apartment. In 1990 he married Tina. In 1998 he broke his hip, and, because he didn't fully recover, moved to a nursing home. The funeral was May 27 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Eldon DeFehr and Jay Neufeld ministering.

Mary Traber passed away June 3 in Taber, Alta. She was born Dec. 8, 1901 to Jacob and Helena Loewen in Orenburg, Russia. In 1926 the family came to Canada. She met Herman Traber in Lethbridge, Alta. They married in 1927. They farmed for many happy years in Coaldale, Alta. Herman died in 1970. She moved to Sunny South Villa, Coaldale in 1990, to Sunny South Lodge in 1993 and to Taber Extended Care in 1996. Always hospitable, she loved family first, especially her grandchildren. She also loved cooking, gardening, and church, always being happy to attend church activities. In her last years, her faith remained steadfast as she struggled with memory loss and confusion. She found great comfort reciting Psalm 23. She longed to go home. She is mourned by sons John of Calgary, Frank of Coaldale, Henry of Calgary and Bill of Barnwell, Alta.; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. The funeral was June 7 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.

Sally Heidebrecht passed away June 4 in St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Oct. 10, 1933 to Johann and Anna Thiessen in Arnaud, Man. When the family could not attend church, her father led family devotions. At 9, through evangelistic meetings, she accepted Christ. At 14, she was baptized in the Roseau River. She graduated from MCI, Gretna, Man. She memorized many hymns, which deeply impacted her. In 1951 the family moved to Ontario. In 1953 she began a 3-year nursing course in Winnipeg. She was head nurse at Misericordia Hospital, Winnipeg, and then worked at General Hospital, St. Catharines, 1957-59. In 1959 she attended MBBC, Winnipeg. In 1960 she began work in a native community on Manitoulin Island. She worked 2 summers on the C.D. Howe medical mission ship and ran the hospital at Frobisher Bay during the winter. In 1963 she returned to MBBC, graduating in 1964. She served 3 years with MCC in Andhra Pradesh, India. She then helped her sister Anne, who had Hodgkin's Disease, and her family. She resumed nursing at the hospital, then was director of nursing at Tabor Manor, St. Catharines. Anne's death in July 1973 deeply touched her. On Feb. 9, 1974, she married Dave Heidebrecht, a father with 3 children. She was a dedicated and loyal mom. Building a bond with Dave, travelling with him in retirement and a spirit of service characterized her next stage of life. Many were blessed by her singing, cooking, hospitality and listening ear. Despite discovery of a brain tumour, she never questioned her faith. She moved to Tabor Manor. She is mourned by Dave; stepchildren Ken, Joanne and Donna; and 7 grandchildren. The funeral was June 7 in Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, with John Wiebe ministering.

Henry Nicholas Unger passed away June 26 in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born May 17, 1908 to Nicholas and Maria Unger in Alexanderwohl, Ukraine. In 1928 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Duchess, then Rosemary and Gem, Alta. In 1930 he accepted Christ, was baptized and joined Gem MB Church. In 1932 he married Agatha Wiens. Four children were born to them. In 1952 they moved to Abbotsford, where they farmed for 26 years. They retired to Clearbrook, B.C. Agatha died in 1992. In January 1994 he married Anna Dechant, a widow with 3 grown children. He considered it a privilege to pray daily for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Scriptural truths that were significant to him were the Lord's second coming and His faithfulness. Six weeks before his death, he moved to Bevan Lodge Retirement Community. He is mourned by Anna; children Elfrieda Lepp, Henry, Agnes Doerksen and Alvin; 13 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral was June 29 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Julius J. Durksen passed away June 27 in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Sept. 24, 1905 to Johann and Helena Durksen in Elisabetthal, Molotschna, Ukraine. He was the youngest of 7 brothers and 4 sisters. When he was 5, the family settled on an estate in Kalantarowka, Caucasus, Russia, later moving into Kalantarowka. In 1926 the family immigrated to Gnadental, Man. In 1929 they moved to a farm in Wakopa, Man. In 1930 his father died. Julius accepted Christ in 1930 and was baptized July 15, 1930, joining Holmfield (Man.) MB Church. In 1932 he married Mary Warkentin. Romans 12:12 was their wedding text. In 1940 they moved to Abbotsford. In January 1945, his mother, who lived with them, died. They lived in various locations in the Fraser Valley, then moved to Clearbrook, B.C., joining Clearbrook MB Church. They were church custodians for a number of years, and he was on the PA committee for 28 years. He also was caretaker at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery. Mary died Oct. 4, 1992 of cancer. Julius keenly felt this loss. His last year was spent in the Menno retirement complex. Nephew David Durksen and his wife MaryAnn looked after his needs when he was no longer able to drive. He was predeceased by all his siblings. The funeral was June 30 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Eldon DeFehr ministering.

Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 38, No. 15 Home Page