Deaths
Jacob LoewenJacob (Jac) Loewen died Oct. 1, 2011 at 93. He was born Jan. 30, 1918 in Rosenfeld, Man., to Peter and Margaret Loewen. He was baptized as a young man and joined the Bergthaler Mennonite church. As a conscientious objector, he planted thousands of trees in Alberta and B.C. during World War II. Jac married Mary Martens Sept. 16, 1945, in Niverville, Man. They moved to Winnipeg, where he began a masonry business. His motto: “Do everything as unto God – with skill and integrity.” His service in Sunday school led to his involvement in starting River East MB Church in 1963 – for which he also erected brickwork. Jac’s passions included horses (he trained as an early “horse whisperer”) and violin, which he played at every opportunity at churches, seniors’ homes, and family gatherings. In retirement, he crafted fine furniture and toys for family members. In this, as in life, he loved the challenge of devising solutions to seemingly impossible tasks. Jac’s devotion to his family was boundless; he was a caregiver and servant. His family is deeply grateful for his love and enduring example. Predeceased by Mary in 1998, Jacob is mourned by children Pat Bryski (Al), Millie Kroeker (Wally), Ray (Debbie), Susan Loewen (Phil), Don (Sandy); 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 8 siblings.
Peter WiebePeter Wiebe died Oct. 1, 2011. He was born Nov. 8, 1930 in Winkler, Man. to Isaac and Helena Wiebe. When Peter was 15, the family moved to Yarrow, B.C., where he worked at Morrison Steel and Wire. Peter accepted the Lord as Saviour through a Brunk revival meeting at 20. He met Elvera at Vancouver MB Church’s youth group. They dated 3 years and married Aug. 15, 1953. Peter was a faithful member of Fraserview Church, where he ushered and sang in the choir. After Morrison Steel closed, Peter worked as a janitor. The family moved to North Vancouver. In 1968, Peter began a 27-year career at Tree Island Steel. He loved travelling to mills in the U.S. to demonstrate how to set up machines. Peter loved country music. At 59, Peter became one of the fortunate 20 percent to survive a brain aneurysm. Upon retirement, Peter and Elvera moved to Abbotsford, B.C., where they became members of Bakerview Church. In 2009, Peter had a slow bleeding stroke that left him unable to walk.
Peter is mourned by Elvera; sons Richard (Gabrielle), Dennis; 2 grandchildren; 1 sister.
David R. Friesen David R. Friesen died Oct. 4, 2011. He was born May 5, 1948 in Altona, Man. to David and Maria Friesen. Operating heavy equipment was his passion. Faithfully, David and his wife Judy attended West Portal (MB) Church, Saskatoon. He loved his family very much. Predeceased by infant son Darcy Lorne, David is mourned by Judy; sons Perry (Theresa), Cory (Pam); 6 grandchildren; 3 brothers.
John BraunJohn Braun died Oct. 5, 2011 at 93. He was born Mar. 22, 1918 in Chortitza, Ukraine to Dietrich and Katharina Braun. John’s mother died when he was 2. In 1924, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Arnaud, Man. John’s father married Anna Dyck. During WWII, John did alternate service as a conscientious objector. John married Anne Redekopp from Gnadenthal, Man., Nov. 11, 1945. John completed his education and began his teaching career in B.C. John and Anne’s church home was Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford. In 1961, they moved to Dawson Creek, B.C., where John and Anne served as deacons at Northgate MB Church. Later they homesteaded in Progress, B.C., and helped plant a church. Following John’s retirement, he fulfilled his decades’ old promise of Bible school for Anne; they attended Capernwray Bible School in Australia in 1987. In 1998, they moved to Agassiz, B.C., and joined Harrison Gospel Chapel. John enjoyed reading, music, and art. John left a legacy as a good husband and father. Predeceased by granddaughter Cristin Braun in 2003, John is mourned by Anne; children Ron (Marion), Rick (Sue), Gord (Colleen), Larry (Susan), Mark (Janice), Jody Jensen; 14 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters.
Hilda UngerHilda Matthies Unger died Oct. 12, 2011 at 90 following a stroke. She was born July 1, 1921 in the republic of Georgia to Isaak and Hilda Matthies. Hilda was a wonderful, caring woman who will be greatly missed. She was a long-time member of Black Creek (B.C.) MB Church. Many will remember her as their Sunday school teacher, Bible study host, and post office worker. Predeceased by husband Henry in 1944, 2 sisters; Hilda is mourned by sons Don (Pat), Henry (Katie); 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings.
Irmgard KonradIrmgard (Irmie) Konrad died May 28, 2011 following a 30-month battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 15, 1932 in Altona, Man. to Isaac and Agatha Neufeld. After moving with her family to Winnipeg, Irmie attended MB Collegiate Institute. She committed her life to the Lord and was baptized into North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg. Irmie married John Konrad in 1956, and through a series of career moves, lived in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver, where they retired in 1996. Irmie was a devoted wife and mother, and a faithful follower of Christ. She taught Sunday school, assisted in leading youth and home groups, served in a prayer ministry, and welcomed many newcomers in the community and the church into her home. Irmie loved her family with a generous spirit, offering beautiful meals, treasured baby blankets, special cookies, and meat buns. Irmie is mourned by John; children Doug (Lori), Heather (John), Gary (Leslie); 5 grandchildren.
Katharina EwertKatharina (Tina) Ewert died June 11, 2011 at 92. She was born Mar. 5, 1919 in Pastwa, Ukraine, to David and Katharina Thiessen. When Tina was 17, her father was taken by the communists, never to return. He’d asked her to take care of her mother, so the support of the family was on Tina’s shoulders. During WW II, they fled to Germany and, in a refugee camp, Tina found the Lord. Peter and Agathe Penner sponsored the family to immigrate to Canada, Sept. 6, 1949. Tina married John Ewert Oct. 1, 1949. In 1959, Tina was baptized into Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. She served with the welcoming and kitchen committees and by quilting for MCC. Tina contributed to her family by working in a canning factory, as a cleaning lady, and by taking care of rental properties. God gave her the gift of creativity: she loved sewing, crafting, and gardening. Her Christian example will stay with her family forever. Through all her struggles, Tina remained firm in her faith. Predeceased by John in 1993, Tina is mourned by children John (Ethel), Margaret (David) Klassen, Mary Ann (Helmut) Klassen; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 1 sister.
Maria Warkentin HildebrandMaria Warkentin Hildebrand died July 13, 2011 at 98. She was born Apr. 25, 1913 in Lindau, Ukraine to Cornelius and Justina Warkentin. After 6 years of schooling, Maria worked as a nanny. Although Stalin prohibited free worship, Maria came to know her Saviour, and in 1944, was baptized. When Maria was 16, her family relocated to Tschongrau, Ukraine, where she met and married Jacob P. Warkentin in 1935. The first 13 years were filled with the terror of war. Maria’s faith remained firm in God’s promise of Isaiah 41:10. In 1948, the family immigrated to Canada. They bought their first farm in St. Catharines, Ont., in 1952. Maria loved gardening, cooking, and baking “pie by the mile.” Hospitality was her hallmark. After Jacob’s death in 1974, she visited her children in Europe and the U.S. She moved to Tabor Manor in 1986, and in 1993, married John Hildebrand. They enjoyed entertaining, travelling, and playing games. After John died in 1998, Maria’s spirit remained strong, but her health began to fail. Maria was a member of Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines. Predeceased by Jake, John, son Johnny in 1945; Maria is mourned by children Jacob (Helen), Mary (Ronnie) Chevallard, Lora, Hilda (Rudy) Braun, George (Donna), Peter (Mary), Margaret (Bryan) Sweet, Eleanor (Albert) Enns; stepchildren Erv (Bunny), John (Denise), Irma (John) Krause, George (Tammy); 24 grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild.
Jakob FriesenJakob Friesen died Sept. 14, 2011. He was born Dec. 9, 1924 in Neuenburg, Ukraine to Johann and Sara Friesen. In 1942, Jakob was separated from his family and sent to England as a prisoner of war. After his release, he settled in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. There Jakob married Helga Rein in 1951. He tried unsuccessfully to get the rest of his family out of Russia. He immigrated to Canada in 1967 with his daughter Regina. They were sponsored by his uncle and aunt Henry and Susie Lammert. Jakob worked many years for Hildebrand Iron Works as a welder and took great pride in his work. He returned to Germany several times to visit his mother and siblings who had immigrated there. Jakob was a faithful member of Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont., regularly attending services and Bible studies until he suffered a stroke in 2002. His last years were at Versa Care Nursing Home. Jakob is mourned by daughter Regina; 1 grandson; 2 great-grandsons; 1 sister.
Luella DyckLuella Elizabeth Dyck died Oct. 27, 2011. She was born Apr. 2, 1933 in Pitt Meadows, B.C. to Jacob H. and Anna Pankratz. In 1935, the family moved to Abbotsford, B.C. Luella accepted Jesus as Saviour Jan. 25, 1946, during a school meeting led by Chief Whitefeather. She was baptized August 1948 into South Abbotsford MB Church, where she met Menno B. Dyck. They married in 1953. They became members at Vancouver MB Church, Fraserview MB Church, and later Luella joined Killarney Park MB Church. In 1965, Menno and Luella began an electrical wholesale business that evolved into Buy-Rite Lighting, a chain of 4 retail showrooms. In 2003, they closed the business and returned to Abbotsford, where they joined Clearbrook MB Church. Predeceased by Menno in 2006, 2 siblings; Luella is mourned by sons Allan, Marvin, Carey, Gerry; daughters-in-law Desiree, Harp; 5 grandchildren; 2 siblings.
Erna HiebertErna Hiebert died Nov. 8, 2011. She was born Jan. 31, 1939 in Port Rowan, Ont. to Jacob and Margaret Reimer. She accepted the Lord as a young girl after revival meetings, and was baptized later. Erna took piano lessons at 4; by 13, she was playing for the choir. She received her ARCT in 1959 and began teaching piano. Erna married Henry Hiebert July 22, 1961. They farmed in Port Rowan many years. Erna kept busy with canning, cooking, sewing, and raising children. They took their family on camping trips to Florida, Manitoba, Banff, and the East Coast. Erna arranged games nights, sleepovers, and tea parties for her grandchildren, and made each a blue-jean quilt. At Port Rowan MB Church, Erna was active playing piano and organ, hosting speakers, teaching Sunday school, serving with Henry as youth sponsors, deacon couple, and Gideons. The last 7 years, health problems slowed her down, and she required frequent blood transfusions. Erna will be remembered as a gentle, kind-hearted, giving woman of God. Predeceased by 1 sister, Erna is mourned by Henry; children Dan (Pat), Gerald (Tracey), Barry (Elsie), Charlotte (Bryan); 14 grandchildren; 5 siblings.
Helena FriesenHelena Friesen died Nov. 11, 2011. She was born April 22, 1922 in Tshongrau, Ukraine to Jakob and Katharine Wiens. Helena was committed to her walk with Christ. Her family fled to Moscow in 1929, and in 1930 to Germany. From there, they moved to Krauel, Brazil. It was difficult turning jungle into farm land. At 12, Helena lost her mother and became caretaker of the family. Helena married Geraldo Friesen in 1942. Their wedding gift was a parcel of land, on which they started a dairy farm. Helena was baptized in 1947. In 1949, Helena and Geraldo moved to Bage, Brazil, to grow wheat. After crop failures, they moved to west Brazil, then Witmarsum. The family immigrated to Canada in 1969, settling first in Kitchener, Ont., and in 1985, in St. Catharines, Ont., where they joined Scott Street MB Church. As their health began to fail, Helena and Geraldo moved to Tabor Manor. After Gerald’s death in 2010, Christian TV programs and chapels at Tabor helped her spiritual journey. Helena took delight in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to cook, bake, and serve unselfishly. Predeceased by Geraldo, sons Geraldo, Paul Gerhard, 2 sons-in-law, granddaughter Regina Rogalsky, 2 great-grandsons, 6 siblings in infancy; Helena is mourned by children Matilde (Ernesto) Jansen, Helena Rogalsky, Marly (Hans) Martens, Aganeta Fast, Hildegard Penner, Bruno (Ella); 24 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren.
Peter WillmsPeter Willms died Nov. 13, 2011. He was born Sept. 25, 1940 in Hepburn, Sask. to Henry P. and Lena Willms. When Peter was 3, the family moved to Virgil, Ont., where they bought a mixed fruit farm. Peter was baptized into Virgil MB Church. After a year at Kitchener (Ont.) Bible School, Peter took a job in food preparation at St. Catharines (Ont.) General Hospital. There Peter met Ruth Isaac. They were married in Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines, April 22, 1967. Later they joined Grantham MB Church. The onset of muscular dystrophy made Peter’s job too difficult. As the disease progressed, he moved into long-term care at Tabor Manor. Peter was always ready to please, with a quick smile, and a twinkle in his eyes. Predeceased by Ruth in 2009, brother Henry; Peter is mourned by son David; 2 siblings.
