Deaths
Irene KliewerIrene Kliewer died Sept. 17, 2008. She was born Sept. 27, 1927 in Hepburn, Sask. to Jacob and Annie Voth. She married Claus Kliewer. She was a member at West Portal Church, Saskatoon. Predeceased by Claus, 4 siblings; Irene is mourned by children Larry (Eleanor), Don (Jeannie), Brad, Doris (Alvin) Gajadhar; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers.
Helen Penner Helen Penner died Mar. 1, 2009 at 94 years. She was born Apr. 30, 1914 in Fischau, Ukraine to David and Susanna Derksen. She came to Canada in 1927 with her parents. Helen had no formal public school education in Canada but in the 1940s she attended Winkler Bible School, then took courses for high school and trained at Brandon Mental Hospital, graduating with a proficiency award in mental health nursing. In 1958, she married Aron Penner and together they farmed in the Morden area, until they moved to Winkler for health reasons. She cared for Aron’s aging mother who lived with them. Aron died in 1974 and Helen continued in her home, looking after his mother who died in 1975 at age 99. Helen decided to follow Christ in her teen years and was baptized upon confession of her faith. Her strong faith kept her going through difficult situations. She will be remembered as a wonderful friend, sensitive listener, encourager, and prayer warrior. Hospitality was her gift and her flowers gave her much joy. Predeceased by Aron, 3 sisters, 1 brother, 4 siblings in infancy; Helen is mourned by brothers David, Peter; many nephews and nieces.
Nellie VothNellie Voth died Apr. 20, 2009. She was born Nov. 25, 1927 in Jansen, Sask. to Frank and Nella Goertzen. At 14, Nellie’s mother died and Nellie became the caregiver for 4 siblings until her father remarried in 1946. Nellie grew into a wonderfully caring, supportive woman. She loved music. John Voth first spotted his sweetheart while she was playing piano for junior choir at Virgil (Ont.) MB Church. John and Nellie were married Oct. 27, 1951. They lived on a farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., until moving to Tabor Manor in St. Catharines in 2003. Their life was built around their family, Christian faith, and church, where they served as a deacon couple and in many other capacities. A wealth of friends enriched their lives. Nellie enjoyed good health and was rarely separated from John. She had her first fall in 2007 and eventually moved into long-term care, where John visited her daily. She was a member of Orchard Park Bible Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Nellie is mourned by John; children Robert (Elvera), Sharon (Barry), Barbara (John), Judith (Frank); 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren.
Rodney FastRodney Henry Fast died May 15, 2009. He was born Jan. 30, 1958 in Port Rowan, Ont. to Henry and Erna Fast. Henry died suddenly when Rod was 3, a loss which affected Rod in his later years. He accepted Christ at a Barry Moore Crusade at 8 and was baptized as a teenager. Rod’s struggle with mental health challenges began shortly after high school. He attended Bethany Bible College in Hepburn, Sask., then returned to Ontario, settling in London where he worked as a custodian and attended Wortley Baptist Church. Rod was involved in choir, Bible studies, men’s breakfasts, and Sunday morning greeting at Wortley. He enjoyed playing games, building models, and watching hockey. He faithfully sent cards to friends and family on special occasions. In May 1989, Rod was diagnosed with cancer and had extensive facial surgery. Eighteen years later, the cancer returned. Rod remained strong in his faith, assured that if God chose not to heal him, he would spend eternity with God in heaven. Predeceased by his father, and brother John; Rod is mourned by his mother; siblings Larry (Brenda), Brian (Elizabeth), Debra (Peter) Kriegel, Barbara (Alan) Wiens, Susan (Norm) Size.
George Buller George Victor Buller died May 23, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Oct. 14, 1955 in Leamington, Ont. to George and Herta Buller. The family moved to St. Catharines, Ont., where George attended St. Catharines United Mennonite Church. George brought home many friends and he loved animals. He often went to work with his dad on Saturdays. He attended Humber College to study furniture building and design and began working with his father in the family masonry business in 1976, taking over in 1983. George liked visualizing a project, then seeing his artistic expression come to fruition. He was a gifted stonemason, and his completed projects, found across Niagara, are considered works of art. George enjoyed many years at the family cottage which he helped build. He loved fishing, water skiing, and picking blueberries with his family. While attending Mountain Park Church in Niagara Falls, his faith grew. He gave his life to Christ, and was baptized in 2000. George was remarried Aug. 20, 2004 to Karen. They lived in St. Catharines and became members at Gateway Christian Fellowship. A mission trip to Honduras was very significant for him. He looked forward to future projects there. George and Karen enjoyed drives in the country, travelling, walking on the beach and collecting beach glass, spending time with family and friends, and building their home in Jordan. George is mourned by Karen; children Emily and Josh; his parents; 4 sisters.
Esther BergEsther Margaret Berg died June 3, 2009. She was born Sept. 28, 1927 in Waldheim, Sask. to Gerhard and Justina Willems. Esther married Herman Berg Aug. 27, 1950. They lived in Waldheim, Hepburn, Hague, and Elbow, Sask., and in Germany, following Herman’s teaching jobs. Esther was a great cook since her teen years, a seamstress, and added knitting, Artex painting, and embroidery to her hobbies. She was a member of West Portal Church. Predeceased by daughter Karen Marie, 1 brother; Esther is mourned by Herman; children Arnie (Brenda), Waldo (Jenny), Vernelle (Cornelius) Buller, Kel (Lora); 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings.
Erika Klara Elisabeth Bartel“Heidi” Erika Klara Elisabeth Bartel died June 14, 2009. She was born Mar. 8, 1927 in Schlossberg, East Prussia. At 8, she became very ill and one night had a vision of heaven. At 10, she gave her life to Jesus Christ. In 1941, her family moved to Riederau am Ammersee, Germany. In 1944, Heidi attended art school in Salzburg, Austria, the happiest year of her life, despite the war. In 1953, she moved to Canada with her family. They lived in Winnipeg. In 1965, she returned to Germany to work at Langensteinbacher Hoehe, a Bible conference centre and girls’ finishing school. Heidi became a nurse, working in Germany for 2 years, then returned to Canada to care for her father. After his death, she married Henry Bartel in 1980, and moved to Calgary. In the mid-1980s, they moved to Mission, B.C., where they became members at King Road MB Church. Henry died in 2003. Heidi is mourned by sisters Dorothy Koltzenburg, Edeltraut (Karl) Bohl, Sieglinde (Eugene) Ristau; nieces and nephews.
Helene JanzenHelene Janzen died June 19, 2009. She was born Aug. 11, 1928 in Schoenwiese, Sibera to Jakob and Katharina Hamm. At 8, Helene moved with her family to Neu-Schoensee, Sagradowka, Ukraine. In 1943, Helene and her parents fled westward, reuniting with Helene’s sister Tina, camping at the Polish border for the winter. Jakob was pressed into war service, and in 1945, the family was displaced until they made contact with Canadian relatives and arrived in Winnipeg in 1947. Helene worked as a domestic to support her mother and sister. She reunited with Gerhard Janzen, whom she met in a refugee camp in Gronau, and they married in 1948. Helene cared for her family and kept house with enthusiasm. Her diligence, generosity, and love of family were undiminished despite recurrent illness. Her mother lived with Helen and Gerhard until 1967, when Jakob was allowed to leave Russia. Helene established lasting friendships with Gerhard’s family when he was reunited with them in 1974. Due to failing health, she moved to Donwood Manor in 2007. Helene is mourned by Gerhard; sons George (Christiane), Victor (Marlene), Paul (Elizabeth); 8 grandchildren.
William NeufeldWilliam Neufeld died June 19, 2009. He was born Sept. 24, 1919 in Russia to Johann J. and Katharina Neufeld. He immigrated to Canada in 1929. On Nov. 23, 1941, he married Elsie Born in Morden, Man. They had 8 children: Nancy, Constance, John, Linda, Lorna, Timothy, Raymond, and Sara. William and Elsie lived in Winnipeg, Morden, and finally Winkler, Man., where he owned Winkler Pharmacy and became a member of Winkler MB Church. He was predeceased by daughter Nancy Peters and granddaughter Shannon Dyck.
Lydia IsaakLydia Isaak died June 26, 2009. She was born May 18, 1925 in Karlovka, Ukraine to Abram and Maria Sawatzky. When she was 4, her family fled Russia via Germany and arrived in Paraguay in 1930. In 1932, her father died of typhoid fever. When Lydia was 11, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. At 15, she was baptized and became a member of the MB church. Lydia’s mother died in 1950. That year, Lydia entered nurse’s training at the Filadelphia hospital. She moved to Canada in 1961, settling in Vancouver, where she did housework and took English classes until 1962, when she found work as a nurse at Menno Hospital in Abbotsford, B.C. She worked there 15 years and became a member at Clearbrook MB Church. In 1977, she married widower Kornelius Isaak and moved back to Vancouver. He had 9 children, 18 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. Lydia and Kornelius shared joy and sorrow until his death in 1980. After working part-time at the German Canadian Home for 8 years, she took early retirement at 63 and returned to Abbotsford and rejoined Clearbrook MB. Declining health in 2007 led her to enter Tabor Home where she received good care and could watch church services on TV. She is mourned by sister Kathie (Gerhard) Enns; many nieces and nephews in Ontario, Manitoba, B.C., and Paraguay, and Kornelius’s family.
Jacob Ben JanzJacob Ben Janz died June 27, 2009 at 96. He was born July 11, 1912 in Tiege, Russia to Benjamin B. and Maria Janz. In 1926, the family moved to Canada, settling on a farm in Coaldale, Alta. Jacob was saved at 15 and baptized into Coaldale MB Church at 23. He drove a school bus while finishing high school and farming with his father. He led the church choir and band for many years, and in 1943, married the pianist, Margaret Martens. From 1946–1948, he studied music at MBBC, Winnipeg. Jacob and Margaret returned to Coaldale, then in 1954 moved to Vauxhall, Alta., where they farmed 53 years. Jake taught Sunday School, led the choir and congregational music, worked the sound board, and took on other church responsibilities. He loved farming, and got to live through the transition from horse-drawn binders to huge pivots and tractors. At 94, he and Margaret moved to Coaldale, and in March 2009, he was admitted to Coaldale Health Centre. Jake is remembered as a gentle, wise, patient man, as persistent as his father, B.B. Janz. He was a hard worker, a music lover, generous giver, faithful follower of the Lord, and an example to his family. Jake is mourned by Margaret; children Marjorie, Eleanor (Sam) Petkau, Vera (Dwight) Nickel, Irene (Henry) Hamm, Ben (Ethel), Alfred (Martha); 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters.
Erica SudermanErica Suderman died June 27, 2009. She was born July 14, 1938 in Winkler, Man. to Jacob and Tina Sawatzky. As a child in Gnadenthal and a youth in Winkler, Erica loved music, sang in the girls’ church choir, took violin lessons, and played in the school orchestra. She also loved to play “scrub” baseball. Erica had a devout love for her Lord and Saviour. She accepted Jesus into her heart as a young girl and was baptized in a creek. She was active in the church in Winkler, later in Abbotsford, B.C., at Clearbrook MB Church, and as a charter member of Bakerview, where she served as Sunday school teacher, librarian, and Pioneer Girls leader. After teacher training in Winnipeg, Erica moved to B.C. in 1957. She taught in the Abbotsford and Surrey school districts, leaving a mark of excellence, and always including singing activities. Erica’s training and aptitude for order led to work in school and church libraries, and the Historical Society in Abbotsford. Erica married Peter Suderman Apr. 21, 1962. She was generous and humble, with an extraordinary mind. She lived victoriously with celiac disease, never complaining, and she served others with frequently expressed joy and thankfulness. Erica and Peter loved to travel. She always carried a hymnal and books on their roadtrips. Erica loved her family dearly, instilling in them a love for beauty, learning, and Christian values. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in early spring. Erica is mourned by Peter; children Jeffrey (Heidi), Jacqueline (Cory) Gilmore; 2 granddaughters.
Gertrude Giesbrecht AbrahamsGertrude Giesbrecht Abrahams died June 29, 2009. She was born Feb. 6, 1919 in Wohldemfuerst, Russia. Her family immigrated to B.C. via Mexico and settled in Yarrow, where Gertie graduated from Elim Bible School and trained as a children’s Bible teacher. She fulfilled this mission with passion, moving north to Prince George to teach hundreds of children the stories of the Bible. She gave her heart to children and loved nature. Gertie was called “the flower lady” by children on her block. Gertie and John retired to the country near Shelley, B.C., where they lived on a hobby farm and were involved with their family. Predeceased by John in 2006, Gertie is mourned by children Marvin, Gracie (Doug), Ben; grandchildren; great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 3 at Westwood Church, Prince George.
