Deaths
Grace Irene RoylanceGrace Irene Roylance died Apr. 7, 2009. She was born Feb. 17, 1928 in Melfort, Sask. to William and Annie Friesen. Grace married Jim Roylance Apr. 30, 1947 in Penticton, B.C., and moved to Grand Forks, B.C., in 1969.She was blessed with the gift of hospitality and excellent baking skills. She was an encourager and faithful friend to many, sending cards on birthdays and anniversaries of loved ones. Grace looked forward to participating in 4 weekly activities at Gospel Chapel: Sunday morning service, 55+ Bible study, Hardy View day program, and Blessings Boutique’s Mom’s Morning Out. Predeceased by Jim, infant son Donald, granddaughter Kristel, grandson Connor, 1 sister; Grace is mourned by children Harv (Cathy), Karren (Ed) Donald, Wendy (Art) Linnington; 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings.
David PennerDavid Penner died Apr. 22, 2009 at 102. He was born Nov. 2, 1906 in Prangenau, Ukraine. At age 20, he immigrated to Canada, with the intention that his family would follow. None were able to leave. Together with 36 Mennonite families, he settled at Namaka, Alta., where he lived the rest of his life. He accepted Christ, was baptized, and joined the local MB church, where he worshiped until it closed in 1968. He met and married Louise Elizabeth Boschman. She died in 2003; their daughter moved into the farmhouse to take care of David. He was the last survivor of the 1926 group of Mennonite immigrants who called Namaka home. Predeceased by Louise Elizabeth, son Henry; David is mourned by children Elvira, Elfrieda, David (Shirley), Cornie (Diane), Mary (Wayne Schumann); 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.
Nita SawatskyNita Sawatsky died Apr. 26, 2009. She was born Sept. 28, 1920 in Fuerstenwerder, Ukraine to Cornelius and Helena Enns. Her mother and sister died in a tuberculosis outbreak in 1923, and her father remarried. The Enns family immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling first in Coaldale, Alta., then Abbotsford, B.C. From a young age, Nita was known for her leadership skills, competitiveness, and diligence. She had a fine sense of humour and hearty laugh. She made a commitment to Jesus in her teens and was baptized. Nita married Ike Sawatsky at South Abbotsford MB Church July 11, 1942. After the war, they moved to Aldergrove where they established a dairy farm which Nita ran while Ike worked away from home. Nita kept a large vegetable garden, was known for her baking, and sewed for her family. In her late 30s, she was told her sight would deteriorate until she was blind. This loss did not keep her from entertaining her friends and her children’s friends. Nita and Ike sold the farm in 1981 and began travelling the West Coast in a camperized van. They also volunteered at CNIB. In 2005, Nita moved to a care facility due to Parkinson’s disease. Ike died a few months later. Nita was the family prayer warrior. She was a member of Clearbrook MB Church. Nita is mourned by children Ron (Edna), Ed (Elaine), Ruth (Brian) Dyck, Bob (Colleen); 14 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters.
Kendra EngbrechtKendra Engbrecht died Apr. 28, 2009 after a year-long battle with cancer. She was born Nov. 1, 1981 in Killarney, Man., to Ken and Lorlie Engbrecht. Kendra celebrated life in everything she did. She was a friend of many children and made their lives better for knowing her. She loved the Lord and was baptized Oct. 4, 1995. She became an accountant and loved her final job at SOS in Calgary. Kendra loved to be around family and friends. A quote from her diary reads, “Life is a garden that grows the seeds I plant.” Predeceased by grandfather Henry Engbrecht, Kendra is mourned by her parents Ken and Lorlie; sister Sharon, brother Craig; grandparents Hilda Engbrecht, and Al and Bernice Johnson.
Trevor RegierTrevor John Regier died May 6, 2009. He was born Mar. 17, 1960 in Herbert, Sask. to John and Tiena Regier. At 6, he invited Jesus to live in his heart. Trev attended West Bank Bible camp, Boys Brigade, and youth group. In 1981, he graduated from a 3-year course at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask. After receiving a degree in commerce and business administration from University of Saskatchewan, Trev worked for Herbert Nursing Home as accountant. He often remarked he’d found his dream job. When the facility was integrated with the hospital in 2006, he was hired as town administrator. He also did accounting for the group home and the MB church. Trev and Brenda became friends at the nursing home, made permanent living arrangements July 2007, and were planning to be married July 2009. He became ill in April and was transferred to Regina General Hospital where he was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Trev is mourned by fiancée Brenda and her daughter Sheradyn (Bob); his daughter Kama (Justin); 1 granddaughter; his parents; 2 siblings; children Kristina, Tyler, Justin, Forrest and 1 granddaughter by way of blended family.
Rudy Victor FriesenRudy Victor Friesen died May 7, 2009 after a long, courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born Jan. 20, 1947 in Brandon, Man., to Jack and Betty Friesen. Rudy grew up in Winnipeg, attended Briercrest Bible College, then trained as a psychiatric nurse in Selkirk, Man. On May 18, 1974, he married Debbie Pennell. In 1976, they moved to Killarney, Man., where he worked as a community mental health worker for 30 years. Rudy professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour at an early age and was baptized as a teenager. He was involved in Lakeview Community Church with Boys Brigade, as a deacon, and missions coordinator. He continued to serve even in the last year when he was very weak. He made it a point to pray and read Scripture with his children. Rudy dearly loved his family and made every effort to be involved in their lives. Rudy is mourned by Debbie; children, Alisa (Chris) Hildebrand, Melanie, Timothy, and Andrew (Kendra); 1 grandson; 2 siblings; and mother-in-law Mary Pennell.
Anna ThiessenAnna Thiessen died May 11, 2009. She was born Dec. 29, 1914 in Wymark, Sask. to Peter and Maria Olfert. At 19, she embarked with her family on a 3-week journey by wagon-train to northern Saskatchewan, where they were to homestead. Here, she met Henry Thiessen, whom she married July 1935. They farmed in North Battleford, Sask., moved to Manitoba in 1939, then to Ontario in 1941. In 1947, they purchased a fruit farm in Queenston, Ont. Henry died 4½ years later, and Anna and her 6 children moved to Virgil. Life was often hard, but Anna trusted God and he gave her the strength to grow. She had accepted the Lord as Saviour as a young person and was baptized. She became a member of Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel. Anna loved Jesus passionately. She invited missionaries into her home and prayed for her children and grandchildren. Anna was a sociable person, kept a vegetable garden and flowers, and was skilled in many crafts. She was a charter member at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont. Predeceased by Henry, daughter Myrtle, 1 son-in-law, 10 siblings; Anna is mourned by children Melvin (Helen), Eunice Blacklock, Robert (Regina), Barry (Ferne), Dennis (Holly); 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, 5 siblings.
John J. OlfertJohn Olfert died May 15, 2009 at 96. He was born Mar. 29, 1913 in Steinfeld, Ukraine to Johann and Aganetha Olfert. Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1926, he became brother to 3 foster children. They arrived in Canada in Nov. 1926 and settled in a newly formed village of immigrants referred to as “The Bunch” near Sperling, Man. Here, he and his parents were baptized and joined the local MB church. On Oct. 9, 1937, he married Maria Froese. They settled on the parental farm and raised a family until Maria died May 20, 1955. In October, John moved his family to Winnipeg, where he did factory work, and joined the North Kildonan MB Church. On Mar. 10, 1956, John married Elizabeth (Betty) Enns. In 1970, he began work at Donwood Manor, continuing there until retirement at 70. In 1998 Betty passed away. John stayed in the Donwood community, receiving excellent care and bringing a smile to the staff. He was always grateful for the visits of family and friends. John is mourned by children David (Hermine), John (Agnes), Harry (Agnes), Agnes (Ed) Fehr, Mary Anne (Lorne) Penner, Kathy Dyck, Art (Elsie), Ruth (Arvid) Loewen; 39 grandchildren (including spouses); 39 great-grandchildren.
Heinz TeichgraefHeinz Teichgraef died May 16, 2009. He was born Aug. 11, 1927 in Sharapov, Siberia to Johann and Anna Teichgraef. The family of 10 immigrated to the Chaco region of Paraguay when Heinz was 2. He gave his heart to the Lord at 11 and rededicated his life at 21. He married Frieda Toews on May 6, 1950. In 1958, they immigrated to Canada. Heinz enjoyed bookkeeping; he built his own accounting firm in Williams Lake, B.C., where they were also instrumental in founding a Mennonite Brethren church, Cariboo Bethel Church, in 1965 with 17 charter members. Heinz served as church treasurer for 25 years, until retirement. He loved singing in choirs and being involved in MB conferences, executive boards, and Full Gospel Fellowships. He boldly shared his faith, and together with Frieda, travelled with two church planting mission trips (CPE) to South America. They moved to Abbotsford in 1990, becoming charter members of Mountain Park Community Church. In 2006, Heinz moved to nursing care at the Menno Home, impressing the staff with his laugh and positive spirit. Predeceased by 6 siblings; Heinz is mourned by Frieda; children Erwin, Harold, Edi (Rick) Bergmann, Nancy; 4 grandchildren; 1 sister.
Elizabeth RatzlaffElizabeth Ratzlaff died May 17, 2009 at 102. She was born Oct. 28, 1906 in Samara, Russia to Bernhard and Mary Klassen. The family moved to Gnadenheim, Barnaul settlement, Siberia, when she was quite young. Her father, minister at Gnadenheim MB Church, died in 1919. Elizabeth experienced new birth at 16, and was baptized in the MB church in 1922. On June 28, 1927, she married John P. Ratzlaff. They began their journey to immigrate to Canada in 1929, arriving in New Brunswick in 1930. They settled first in Dunrae, Man., then in 1936 moved to Yarrow, B.C., where John worked as a finish carpenter. In 1968, they moved to Abbotsford and joined Clearbrook MB Church. John sustained serious injuries from a fall off a roof and died in 1981. Elizabeth moved to Tabor Home in 1990 where she received loving care. Predeceased by John, sons John and Peter, great-grandson Timothy, daughter-in-law Anne; Elizabeth is mourned by children Hank (Agatha), Mary (Jake) Martens, Abe (Helen), Vic (Marie), Lynne (Garry) Schmidt; daughter-in-law Selma; 21 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Clarence FunkClarence Leonard Funk died in a farm accident May 18, 2009. He was born June 26, 1957 in Herbert, Sask., to Leonard and Rita Funk. Clarence moved with his family to Glaslyn, Sask., in 1961. He attended Eston Bible College and Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta. After his marriage to Carol Sawatzky July 21, 1984, he moved onto his own farm and raised cattle. Clarence was a quiet person who loved his wife and 5 sons dearly. He treated everyone with gentleness and kindness. He always stayed close to God. Clarence is mourned by Carol; sons Steven, Jeremy, Paul, Joshua, Tyrell; parents Leonard and Rita, 14 siblings.
Marjorie JanzenMarjorie Janzen (nee Funk) died May 25, 2009, after a 5-month battle with cancer. She was born July 7, 1928. She was predeceased by her first husband, Allen Edward Drebert, in 1970 after 24 years of marriage, and in 2006 by her husband of 32 years, Jake Doerksen, and by two brothers, Richard and Herman Funk. Marjorie is mourned by her husband of 15 months, Helmut Janzen; sons Jim (Rosalind) and Doug (Marilyn); 4 grandchildren; 3 siblings; 8 step-children, 13 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren.
