Deaths
Howard Anderson ShuhHoward Anderson Shuh died June 13, 2008. He was born Mar. 9, 1926 in Kitchener, Ont. to Clarence and Nellie Shuh. He was raised on a farm near Elmira, Ont., where he lived until age 60 when he moved to Elmira and then to St. Jacobs. Howard accepted Christ at 14. He married Alice Gies in 1949. Alice died suddenly when their children were preschoolers. Howard married Katie Pauls on September 21, 1956. In August 1969, their 7-year-old daughter Barbara died. Howard farmed for 40 years, operated the Elmira office of Cooperator’s Insurance, and served on various boards, including Mennonite Credit Union, Waterloo County Supplies Cooperative, and as a councilor in Woolwich Township. Howard and Katie were founding members of Waterloo MB Church. Howard made 3 short-term mission trips to South America, was an active Gideon, and a strong supporter of Camp Crossroads. Howard relied on Romans 8:28 to guide him through pain and loss. Predeceased by Alice; daughters Carol and Barbara; he is mourned by Katie; children Bruce (Terry), Mary (John), Glenn (Corinne), Robert (Lisa); 11 grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was June 16 at Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church.
Ella PetkauElla Petkau died July 2, 2008. She was born July 11, 1931 in Gnadental, Man. to David and Anna Schellenberg. She grew up in Winkler, Man., and studied for 2 years at Winkler Bible School. After studying typing and shorthand at a commercial school, Ella worked as a secretary and sales person in a jewelry store. In her younger years, Ella taught Sunday school at Logan Mission and at Brooklyn. She was baptized at South End MB Church. Ella was active with friends, travelling, attending conferences, and visiting the elderly. On May 5, 2007, she married George Petkau. In winter 2008, Ella experienced a re-occurrence of cancer. Predeceased by an infant brother and 1 sister; Ella is mourned by George, his children Grace (David) Loewen, John (Barb) Petkau, Judy (Tom) Penner, Kathy (Rick) Penner, Gerald (Andrea) Petkau; 12 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and 5 siblings. The funeral was July 7 at Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg.
John M. Schmidt John M. Schmidt died July 10, 2008. He was born in 1918 near Omsk, Russia. When John was 7, his father, a prosperous farmer, secretly sold his possessions and the family left Russia under cover of night. John grew up on the family farm in Coaldale, Alta. and studied at Prairie Bible Institute. During WWII, he served as a conscientious objector, constructing roads around Jasper and welding at the Vancouver shipyards. In 1945, he married Mary Nickel. For two years they filled the roles of schoolteacher, preacher, and medical personnel for the First Nation reserve at Little Grand Rapids, Man., as missionaries for the United Church of Canada. Then, John studied at Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg, from where he was invited, in 1950, to become director of The Gospel Light Hour, a radio program later called MB Communications and today, Family Life Network. He worked with great joy and zeal in the radio ministry for 13 years, adding more English programs and launching the High German, Low German, and Russian programs. He enjoyed new beginnings, and pastored in several churches. Both John and Mary eagerly helped those in need. John’s boldness in sharing his faith led many people to pray with him to accept Jesus. He remained full of hope in the trials of life. After Mary died, John published his memoir, called The Lord’s Donkey. In 1994, he married Olga Dueck. He is mourned by Olga; children Elly Dyck (Edgar), Linda Koop (Walt), Dorothy Siebert (Harold), Ed, Shirley Schmidt (Wally), John (Janice), and Grace Penner (Marv); Olga’s children, Rose Prince (David), Marv Dueck (Kate) and Ron Dueck (Heidi); 25 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 brothers. The funeral was July 15 at Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg.
Roland MarschRoland Marsch died July 17, 2008. He was born Jan. 14, 1938 in Schwelm, Germany, to Christian and Rahel Marsch. The fact that his parents “dragged me to every evangelistic campaign possible” was the foundation of his relationship with Jesus. In 1958, having completed an agricultural apprenticeship, Roland immigrated to Canada with the intention of becoming a farmer. After several attempts to rent land of his own failed, he decided to attend Coaldale Bible School, where he met Lorina Hubert. They were married June 23, 1962. Roland graduated from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, and ministered in Canada, and then Germany, after the congregation chose Roland by lot to be their pastor. Roland and Lorina returned to Winnipeg to pastor North Kildonan MB Church. During this time he graduated from Providence Theological Seminary. Roland served as conference minister for the Canadian Conference from 1986-1990. He pastored at Portage Avenue MB Church until 1997 when Roland and Lorina heard God’s call to Dresden, Germany. Two years of ministry followed at the end of which they returned to Winnipeg, where Lorina died of a brain tumor. Roland married Irene Loewen in 2000 and spent the following 6 years as pastor at North Kildonan MB Church. Roland’s ministry ended with a diagnosis of cancer in 2007. Predeceased by Lorina and 1 sister; Roland is mourned by Irene; children Bob (Hilde), Susan (Walter) Jakobeit, Judy (Peter) von Kampen; 11 grandchildren; 3 siblings. The funeral was July 22 at North Kildonan MB Church.
Henry A. UnruhHenry A. Unruh died July 26, 2008. He was born Feb. 4, 1919 in Russia. His family immigrated to Manitoba, later moving to Vauxhall, Alta. Henry confirmed his faith through baptism and joined the MB church in Vauxhall. His faith in Jesus was central to his life and work. In 1943, Henry married Agatha Bergen during a raging blizzard. He attended Winkler Bible School and Winnipeg Bible College, accompanied by wife and children. In 1952, he was ordained a minister. He farmed in Vauxhall, and served as a minister in the church. The stories he used to illustrate the truths of his sermons are still recalled by many. Agatha died in 1984. In 1989, Henry married Sally Bergen. She died in 2005. Henry is mourned by children Hertha (Irwin) Warkentin, Elfreda (Peter) Nickel, Ernie (Joyce) Unruh, Clara (George) Reimer, Harold (Gerri) Unruh, Florence (Ken) O’Brien, Viola (Paul) Preston, Laura (Ajay) Caleb, and Shirley (Nilton Piccolim) Leite; 29 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and Sally’s children Norma (Ernie) Peters, Harley (Lisa) Bergen. The funeral was Aug. 1 at Vauxhall (Alta.) MB Church.
Arthur KoehnArthur “Art” Koehn died peacefully at home July 29, 2008. He was born June 29, 1931 in Blumenhoff, Sask. In 1937, his family moved to Vauxhall, Alta. Art accepted the Lord as Saviour at 14 and was baptized in the MB church. Art joined the Bank of Nova Scotia and worked in branches throughout Alta., Sask., and B.C. While working in Saskatoon, he met Helen Loewen, and they were married Aug. 14, 1965. After 35 years with Scotiabank, he retired in 1986, though he worked on the maintenance crew at Sears until he fully retired in 1996. Art loved carpentry, working in his yard and garden, and travelling. He was actively involved in every church he attended. Art was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. He was a loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed for his quiet strength and presence. His gentle kindness led him to lend a hand wherever needed. Predeceased by 1 sister and 1 infant brother, Art is mourned by Helen; daughters Julie Brooks (Glenn) and Sandra Koehn; 2 grandchildren; and 6 siblings.
Mary SchmidtMary Schmidt died peacefully Aug. 2, 2008. She was born May 28, 1920 in Orenburg, Russia to Gerhard and Tina Reimer. She immigrated to Canada with her family, settling in Osage, Sask. After 7 years, the family moved to Fairholm, Sask., where Mary accepted Jesus as Saviour, was baptized, and joined the MB church. In 1935, the family moved to Coaldale, Alta., where Mary met William Enns. They married and raised 4 children before William died in 1970. On July 31, 1976, Mary married George Schmidt. He died in 1999. Her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of Mary’s life, and love for God and his Word was her strength and comfort. Mary was gifted in sewing, cooking, crafts, serving, and giving. Predeceased by William, George, and 1 granddaughter, Mary is mourned by children Kathy (Henry) Reimer, Arnold (Edith) Enns, Alvin (Kathy) Enns, Les (Norma) Enns, Werner (Teena) Schmidt, Heidi (Rudy) Kornelsen, John (Bertha) Schmidt, Helga (George) Loewen, Louise (Dave) Knelsen, Linda (Ed) Bensler; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 8 siblings. The funeral was Aug. 8 at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church.
Katharina RempelKatharina “Tina” Rempel died Sept. 3, 2008 at 100. She was born May 3, 1908 in Waldheim, Ukraine to Tobias and Maria Ewert. Katharina came to faith at a revival service. At 17, she was baptized on the confession of her faith and received into membership at Waldheim MB Church. Young people’s meetings and singing in choirs brought her joy in spite of hard times. In 1928, Katharina and her siblings immigrated to Canada. Settling first in Winnipeg, Katharina met Henry Rempel in Kitchener, Ont. in 1933. They were married in 1937. Katharina was a member of the women’s group and choir at Kitchener MB Church, and sang in a choir at the local hospital. Henry and Katharina cultivated friendly contact with the local General Conference Mennonite church to help reconcile the streams of Mennonitism. Henry died in 1977. In 1983, Katharina moved to Tabor Manor in St. Catharines, Ont., where she regularly called on bedridden residents, wrote letters, and kept a diary. She is mourned by children Henry, Rita Brown, John; 3 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson.
Susan EnnsSusan Enns died Aug. 13, 2008. She was born Nov. 25, 1927 in Coaldale, Alta. to John and Katherina Enns. At a young age, Susan learned about Jesus, prayed for forgiveness, and found assurance in Isaiah 43:1. In her teens, she was baptized and accepted into membership at Coaldale MB Church. After high school, Susan studied at the local Bible school. She became a teacher, enjoying 35 years in her chosen profession. She also taught Sunday school. Susan travelled to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. A very difficult time in Susan’s life was the declining health of her sister Margaret. Susan was blessed with good health and many supportive nieces and nephews. She is mourned by 24 nieces and nephews and their families. The funeral was Aug. 16 at Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church.
Abram FehrAbram Fehr died Sept. 7, 2008. He was born July 26, 1938 in Saskatchewan to Jacob and Sarah Fehr. Abram was raised near Hague, Sask. He had a twin brother and they were very close as they grew up. As a young man, Abram left home to work in the big city as a hotel bellhop, then as a paint store employee, later choosing to work with his brothers-in-law in drywall. Abram married Helen Peters on Aug. 24, 1958. They lived in Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Victoria before returning to their roots in Saskatchewan, where they lived in Warman and Martensville. Abram and Helen lived in Tofield, Alta., for a number of years until all the children had left home, when they settled in Abbotsford, B.C. Predeceased by 6 brothers, 1 sister; Abram is mourned by Helen; children Richard (Deb), Darrel (Karin), Mike (Telma), Stuart (Doreen), Sandra (Ray); 12 grandchildren; and 6 siblings. The memorial was Sept. 13 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. B.C.
