Deaths
Mary Ewert Mary Ewert died Nov. 27, 2008 at 92. She was born May 24, 1916 in Kuruschan, Ukraine to John and Maria Wiebe. In June 1924, the family immigrated to Canada, renting a farm on Pelee Island, Ont., for 4 years. At 11, Mary claimed personal faith in Jesus as her Saviour. At times she struggled with doubts, but was able to find peace and assurance through John 5:24. As a young adult, Mary joined her family in Leamington, Ont., where she was baptized and received into the MB Church. Singing in the choir was a highlight for her, and it was here she met John, whom she married in 1938. They moved to the Niagara area in 1941, then to St. Catharines, Ont., where they were active members of an MB Church. Mary poured her heart and energy into caring for her family. She committed much Scripture to memory, had a heart for missions, and sang hymns as she worked. John died in 1994. During Mary’s last years she suffered some loss of vision, but continued to read her Bible with the help of a magnifying glass. With total loss of vision in 2005, Mary moved to nursing care at Tabor Manor. Predeceased by John, and son Herbert; Mary is mourned by children Leonard (Margaret), John (Sandra), Irene (John) Klassen, Erna Ewert, Laura Hazin; 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings. The celebration of Mary’s life was Dec. 1 at Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines.
Eve AnsonEve Anson died Dec. 7, 2008. She was born Mar. 30, 1941 in St. Catharines, Ont. to John and Mary Anson. Three weeks after Eve was born, Mary passed away, leaving John with the responsibility of raising Eve. When the task became too much for him, Eve went to live with his close friends. As Eve grew up, she recognized that she needed to take care of herself, so she left school before Grade 11 to get a job. When her son Peter was born, she bought a trailer to make a home for them and continued working at several jobs. She was a loving mom, often making sacrifices for her son. She had a big heart for others and did volunteer work at Heidehof. Eve had many friends at Grantham Church, and as they shared their faith, Eve decided to receive Christ as her Saviour. On May 28, 1992, she was baptized at Grantham MB Church. After she got word she had multiple mylenoma, she worked at the Salvation Army thrift store as long as she was able. Eve is mourned by son Peter (Darlene); 2 grandchildren; and many friends. The celebration of Eve’s life was Dec. 10, 2008, at Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont.
William BaergWilliam Baerg died Dec. 26, 2008. He was born Jan. 23, 1924 in Russia to Isaac and Aganetha Baerg. The family immigrated to Canada when Bill was 1. They first lived in Morden, Man., then settled in Vineland, Ont. Bill married Vera Kutz in Kitchener, Ont., where he worked as a butcher and meat inspector. He was known for hard work, and valuing family and community. Bill was a man of deep Christian faith who faced life’s challenges with peace and grace. He was gentle, kind, and generous of spirit. Predeceased by 5 siblings, Bill is mourned by Vera; children Elisabeth, Lawrence, Ray (Marie); 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 29 at Kitchener MB Church.
Evelyn Joyce Neufeld Evelyn Joyce (Friesen) Neufeld died Dec. 31, 2008 after a courageous, hard-fought battle against cancer. Evelyn was a self-sacrificing, loving wife and mother. She cherished spending time in her garden. Her kind heart led to a career in early childhood education. Her passing leaves a hole in many lives and her memory will live on brightly through those she touched with her love and warm spirit. Evelyn is mourned by husband Jim; daughters Rebecca (Dave) Lowrey, Jacqueline (Joey) Courchesne, Emily; 1 grandson; mother Helen Friesen, 3 sisters; mother-in-law Sue Neufeld. The celebration of Evelyn’s life was Jan. 7, 2009 at South Langley MB Church, Langley, B.C.
David GravesDavid Graves died Jan. 9, 2009. He was born Apr. 27, 1919 in Ukraine to David and Katharine Graves. His father died of typhus a few months before David was born. His mother lived with her parents until her marriage to John Krause. They immigrated to Canada in 1927. They settled first in Arnaud, Man., then in Randolph, Man., where they were joined by Katharine’s parents. After Katharine’s death, John remarried and moved to Steinbach, Man. David took odd jobs to support his widowed grandfather and unmarried aunt. After a period riding the rails in search of jobs starting at age 18, David managed to purchase some land. He received Jesus Christ as Saviour through the witness of William Schroeder, and was baptized in Steinbach MB Church in 1953. He was known for his practical Christianity. In 1974, David married Eva, whom friends and neighbours had encouraged him to meet. In 2006, they sold the farm and moved into Steinbach. He is mourned by Eva; 2 sisters, 1 brother. The funeral was
Jan. 12 at Steinbach MB Church.
Nettie BaergNettie Baerg died Jan. 10, 2009. She was born Oct. 26, 1907. At an early age, Nettie learned of God’s love and grace, and accepted Jesus as Saviour. A few years later, she was baptized in Waldheim, Sask. Nettie met Jacob Baerg in Crowfoot, Alta., and they married Aug. 2, 1936. Due to extreme drought, in 1938 they moved to Ontario where they farmed for 22 years outside Virgil, Ont. Nettie served as secretary to the ladies fellowship group at the Virgil MB Church. She excelled at word games, especially Scrabble. Predeceased by Jacob, son Edward; Nettie is mourned by children Elly (Ernie) Dyck, Albert (Lorna) Baerg; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Jan. 14 at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont.
David Klassen
David Klassen died Jan. 10, 2009. He was born Dec. 22, 1919 in Molotchna, Ukraine and immigrated to Canada with his parents and siblings in Nov. 1926. The family farmed in the Kenton and Alexander areas before settling on a farm near Beresford, Man., in 1944. In 1949, he married Katherine Derksen. They retired to Brandon in 1983. David had an unshakeable faith in his Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. His simple confidence in God’s plan for his life was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was involved in the church in Griswold, Alexander, then Richmond Park MB in Brandon. David is mourned by Katherine; children Helga (Jim) Bryant, Paul (Becky); 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings.
Sylvia HintonSylvia Hinton died Jan. 11, 2009. She was born on March 6, 1953 in Prince George, B.C. Sylvia grew up in Quesnel and moved to Vancouver when she was 11. Sylvia had her first open-heart surgery in 1969 at age 17. Sylvia and Terry Hinton were married in England in 1976. They both became Christians in 1981. Their daughter, Heather, was born in 1982. Sylvia had a massive stroke 4 years later, and was paralyzed on her left side for 8 weeks. She had a second open-heart surgery in 1988, and a third in 1991. The family moved to Chilliwack, B.C., in 1994 and began attending Central Community Church a year later. Sylvia is mourned by Terry; daughter Heather (Christopher) Horvath.
Peter WiebePeter Wiebe died Jan. 19, 2009. He was born Apr. 29, 1939 in southern Manitoba to Bernard and Katherina Wiebe. At 22, he asked Jesus Christ to be his Lord and Saviour; several months later he was baptized. He graduated from Winkler Bible School in April 1963, and married Loraine Unger on June 23 of the same year. Peter and Loraine built on a deep love for one another and a strong faith in Jesus Christ. He pursued a career in the field of sales and marketing. He loved sports, especially baseball and hockey. Peter was a godly example to his family. He made church and daily family devotionals a priority, and maintained a high level of honesty and integrity in every aspect of his life. He taught adult Sunday school, volunteered with Christian Service Brigade, was a youth leader, and spent 25 years in the Gideon ministry. Peter had a big heart for helping others, always guiding them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. He loved cooking, baking, and gardening. Predeceased by 2 brothers, Peter is mourned by Loraine, children Curt (Betty), Cam (Tina), Marcia (Kevin) Froese; 6 grandchildren; 3 siblings. The funeral was Jan. 23 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Donald James MassonDonald James Masson died Jan. 29, 2009. He was born Aug. 24, 1928 to George and Lily Masson. After completing school at Lethbridge (Alta.) Collegiate Institute, Don worked for Canadian Western Natural Gas Company for 23 years. He also served in the military during that time. He worked 17 years for the City of Lethbridge. Under the ministry of Henry Unrau, Don accepted Christ as Saviour in the 1970s. Soon after, he was baptized and joined Lakeview Bible Church, more recently transferring to Coaldale MB Church. Don is survived by his wife of 39 years, Helen (Langemann); four daughters from a previous marriage: Linda (Jim) McCann, Judee (Brian) Baines, Diane (Mitch) Bodnaruk, Kim Lettinga; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Feb. 3 at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church.
Maria NeumannMaria Neumann died Feb. 3, 2009. She was born Oct. 23, 1912 in Tiegenhagen, Ukraine to Johan and Maria Baese. The family immigrated to Canada in 1924. In 1927, they purchased a farm in Port Rowan, Ont. Maria accepted Christ in her youth, and was baptized at Port Rowan MB Church July 22, 1930. She married Peter Neumann Oct. 16, 1932. She loved being a mother, and was an active member of the sewing circle and a great hostess. She had a gentle spirit and love for children, evidenced in years of teaching Sunday school to preschoolers. Peter died in 1994. In her final years, she lived at Norview Lodge, making an impression on the staff with her attitude of gratitude. Predeceased by Peter, she is mourned by son Walter (Marjorie); 2 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 2 siblings. The service was Feb. 6.
George SchmidtGeorge Cornelius Schmidt died Feb. 9, 2009. He was born Nov. 21, 1938 in Baadeln, Poland to Max and Charlotte Schmidt. Following orders to move with the retreating
German army in 1945, the family lost their possessions, neighbours, and daughter Lieselotte. Abandoned by the army, they returned to Poland, living in transition camps. Starvation threatened until Max was able to bring the family to Germany in 1947. MCC helped them relocate to Canton, Ohio, in 1951, where George was baptized and became a member of Beech Mennonite Church. Upon learning of German-speaking Mennonite churches in B.C., the Schmidts moved to Greendale. George attended Bethel Bible School for one year, volunteered for MCC in Manitoba, and acquired a BEd at UBC. After three years of teaching, during which he married Karen Neufeld, George felt called to ministry and attended seminaries in Elkart, Ind., Alabama, and Georgia. He was president of Bethel Bible Institute in Abbotsford, B.C. in 1969, and was instrumental in the merger with MB Bible School to create Columbia Bible Institute (later CBC), the first inter-Mennonite Bible institute/college in North America. George taught and served in various administrative capacities, mainly as student dean, at CBC for 38 years, and continued to volunteer after retirement. Among many board activities, he chaired the founding board of Kinghaven, an addiction treatment facility, in 1970 and continued to volunteer. An active member of West Abbotsford Mennonite Church, he helped establish a 12-step program for spiritual growth. George continued his studies, receiving an MDiv, MA, and DMin. George is mourned by Karen; children Robert (Nancy), Karis (Jeff) Boetto, Rachel (Jeremy) Young; 7 grandchildren; 2 siblings. The funeral was Feb. 14 at Level Ground Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
