Deaths
Elvin IsaakElvin Isaak died Oct. 14, 2009. He was born Feb. 12, 1931 in Arnaud, Man. to John Peter and Sara (Klippenstein) Isaak. The family moved to Saskatchewan when Elvin was a child, settling on a farm near Glenbush. Elvin was baptized into Glenbush (Sask.) MB Church. Elvin attended school in Medstead, followed by 2 years at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn. After moving to Saskatoon, Elvin began a 26-year career as a city transit bus operator. In 1956, he married Shirley Shakotko, and they joined West Portal MB Church, Saskatoon. In 1979, Elvin and Shirley moved to Lloydminster, Alta., to build and operate a motel, renovate several homes, and work in real estate and business. His passion was finish carpentry. Elvin is mourned by Shirley; children Lorne, Donna (Bob) Hawes, Lloyd (Darla), Valerie (Mark) Teed; 8 grandchildren.
Allan VothAllan Jacob Voth died Mar. 2, 2010. He was born June 2, 1920 to Jacob and Annie Voth. He loved the farm, farming first with his parents, then with his son, until his retirement in 1986. His hobbies included horses, woodworking, and making replica miniature horse harnesses and sleighs. A hardworking man, Allan made time for service to church and community. John 1:12 was a source of strength and blessing to him. Allan is mourned by wife Anne of nearly 60 years; children Sharon (Jeff) Armstrong, Dennis (Karen) Voth; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 brother. The celebration of life was Mar. 6 at Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church.
Jacob WiensJacob A. Wiens died May 1, 2010 at 100. He was born June 30, 1909 to Abraham and Helena (Friesen) Wiens. Predeceased by wife Alma in 2004, 3 brothers and their wives; Jacob is mourned by children Marjorie (Garth) Beckett, Geraldine (Peter) Kiniski, Diana (Harold) Wiens; 6 grandchildren; 5 stepgrandsons; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was May 7 at Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church.
Helen Reimer AndresHelen Reimer Andres died May 7, 2010 at 93. She was born May 17, 1916 in Russia to Jacob J. and Anna (Guenther) Banman. She was baptized July 12, 1936 into Steinbach (Man.) EMC Church. Helen married Dietrich Reimer Sept. 24, 1938. After his death in 1964, Helen married John B. Andres Mar. 20, 1966. She became a member of Steinbach MB Church in 1975. Predeceased by Dietrich, John in 2004, son Alvin in 2002, son-in-law Howard Joyce in 2008, one grandchild in 2008; Helen is mourned by children Amanda (Scott) Cundal, Vic (Joan), Jake (Frieda), Edna Joyce; step-children Adina, Erna, John, Ronald, Elsie, Nellie, Karen; daughter-in-law Eleanore Reimer; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.
Anna Buhler
Anna Buhler died May 19, 2010. She was born June 4, 1932 in Steinbach, Man. to David and Helena Thiessen. She was baptized at an early age into Steinbach MB Church. Anna married Henry Buhler in 1957, and they settled in Winnipeg. Anna was a woman of great faith, guided by her Lord. Predeceased by 2 sisters, Anna is mourned by Henry; children Kathy (Dale) Michie, Tim; 4 grandchildren; 8 siblings; inlaws. The celebration of life was May 25 at Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg.
Anne Neufeld
Anne Neufeld died June 5, 2010. She was born Nov. 20, 1921 in Winkler, Man. to Jacob J. Funk and Katherina Dyck. Predeceased by her husband Jacob (Jake) W. Neufeld in 1999, 6 brothers; Anne is mourned by daughters Valerie (Marc) Pierce, Fran (Randy) Raymond; 2 grandchildren; 1 sister-in-law. The funeral was June 19 at Winkler MB Church.
Ellen NumEllen Num died June 11, 2010. She was born May 5, 1959 in the Toronto area to Harry and Lilac Num. Ellen was a caseworker in government job placement agencies and a career counsellor, helping people write resumes and prepare for the workforce. She was also active in the Central Ontario Chinese Cultural Centre. Ellen’s life changed when she accepted Christ as Saviour. She was baptized Dec. 13, 2009, at Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont. An avid student, Ellen loved God’s Word and wrote many Scripture passages in her journal. Her newfound faith was tested when she was diagnosed with cancer. She chose to see this trial as an opportunity for joy. The last 18 months of Ellen’s life were triumphant, as she confronted her illness with elegance and determination. Predeceased by her father and 1 brother, Ellen is mourned by her mother; 5 siblings; nieces and nephews.
Mary PetersMary Elda Peters died June 12, 2010. She was born Nov. 3, 1923 near Mennon, Sask. to Fred and Agatha (Janzen) Dirks. She learned to do many farm chores. Due to health problems, she only completed part of sixth grade. At 15, she ruptured her appendix and learned she may die. On the operating table, she gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. July 30, 1939, she was baptized along with her three sisters into Dalmeny (Sask.) MB Church. Mary did massage work with a licensed masseur in Saskatoon, Sask., for 10 years. Oct. 16, 1954, Mary married Arthur Peters and joined Hepburn (Sask.) MB Church. They lived on the Peters’ farm near Hepburn, where she continued to treat clients for another 30 years, until surgery and radiation for breast cancer left her without the strength. Mary was active in her church’s ladies’ aid and as an usher. She enjoyed singing and listening to Gaither music videos and concerts. After a stroke in 2004 took most of her speech, she could still sing. Her son sang with her the old songs she knew. She went into St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, May 25, following another stroke. Mary will be remembered as artistic, supportive of her husband and son, a woman who loved Jesus and nature and made the world a brighter place. Predeceased by 1 brother, 5 miscarriages; Mary is mourned by Arthur; son Victor; 4 siblings; inlaws.
Kay Voth Kay (Katie) Voth died June 15, 2010. She was born Apr. 9, 1928, in Drake, Sask., to Heinrich and Maria Dirks, shortly after the family emigrated from Russia. A few years later, they moved to a farm in Watrous, Sask., where Kay attended the Loch Lomond School. At 13, she accepted the Lord as Saviour at DVBS. At 16, she was baptized at Manitou Beach and became a member of Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, Sask. In 1946, the family moved to Rosedale, B.C., where they joined East Chilliwack MB Church. Sept. 28, 1947, Kay married Abe Voth. Later, they moved to Matsqui, B.C. and joined Ross Road Community Church. They retired in Clearbrook, B.C. Kay enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting. Predeceased by Abe in 1992, 2 siblings; Kay is mourned by children Lorraine (Harry) Loewen, Les (Joyce), Cliff, Caroline (George) Siemens; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 sister.
Lydia Ratzlaff Lydia Ratzlaff died June 19, 2010. She was born June 11, 1912 in Deutsch Wymyschle, Poland to Franz Ratzlaff and Anna Kliewer. She married Erich L. Ratzlaff June 1, 1935. During WWII, Erich became a prisoner of war in Czechoslovakia. Lydia and their children fled to Germany when the Russian Army advanced into Poland. The family was reunited in Germany after Erich’s release, with the help of the Red Cross and Canadian relatives. After a stay in a refugee camp, they immigrated to Canada in 1948. They lived in Alberta for a few years before moving to Arnold, B.C. in 1951 where Lydia ran a farm. A few years later, they moved to Abbotsford, B.C. and joined Clearbrook MB Church. In Winnipeg from 1967–79, Lydia helped Erich edit the Mennonitische Rundschau, and they served as deacons at Central MB Church. When Erich became an ordained minister, Lydia served faithfully beside him. In 1981, they returned to Abbotsford and renewed their membership at Clearbrook MB Church. Erich died in 1988. After her vision deteriorated, Lydia moved into Tabor Home in 2007. Surgery improved her sight, so that in her last months she could enjoy crocheting again. Predeceased by Erich, Lydia is mourned by children Richard (Elfrieda), Frank (Julie), Trudy (David) Galpin, Heinz (Edith), Leonard, Alice; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.
Peter PoetkerPeter Poetker died June 27, 2010. He was born Feb. 13, 1928 in North Easthope, Ont. to Henry and Helen Poetker. He grew up in New Hamburg, Ont. and helped run the farm at a young age due to his father’s illness. Peter became a Christian at an early age and was baptized in the Nith River in New Hamburg. Peter married Elfrieda Mathies July 22, 1950. In 1988, they became charter members of Glencairn MB Church, Kitchener, Ont., and remained committed and active there. Peter was a butcher and enjoyed bowling and singing in the Jubilation Male Chorus. Predeceased by 3 siblings, Peter is mourned by Elfrieda; children Susan (Fred) Wiens, Judy (John) Biffis, Paul (Ruth); 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings.
Betty Thiessen GoertzenBetty Thiessen Goertzen died June 30, 2010 at 96. She was born Mar. 16, 1914 in Krasnocove, Russia to Cornelius and Katharine Reimer Wiens. When she was 12, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Manitoba, and 2 years later, moving to a farm in Greendale, B.C. Betty worked on another farm to help pay their travel debt. Later, she moved to the girls’ home in Vancouver and worked for a family for $5 a month. Betty accepted the Lord and was baptized into the MB church at age 12. She loved singing in the choir and attending Bible studies. Betty married Peter Thiessen Oct. 13, 1935 at Greendale MB Church. They enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage. Peter died in 2004. May 7, 2005, Betty married Jacob Goertzen who cherished her until her death. Predeceased by Peter, 2 infant children; Betty is mourned by Jacob; children Bob (Pat), Rick (Gloria); 3 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings. The memorial was July 10 at Bakerview MB Church.
Margaret JanzMargaret Janz died July 7, 2010. She was born Aug. 29, 1923 in Alexanderwohl, Ukraine to Peter and Helena Martens. The family immigrated to Canada in 1925 and settled on a farm in Coaldale, Alta. In 1935, she accepted Christ as Saviour and later was baptized into Coaldale MB Church, where she played piano for choir director Jacob Janz, leading to their marriage Aug. 29, 1943. After attending MB Bible College 1946–1958, they spent the next 53 years farming in Vauxhall, Alta. Margaret enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, playing piano and organ, teaching piano students, and writing letters to loved ones. Her zest for living, strong friendships, love of beauty and music, and faith in God underpinned her life. Predeceased by Jacob in 2009, Margaret is mourned by children Marjorie, Eleanor (Sam) Petkau, Vera (Dwight) Nickel, Irene (Henry) Hamm, Ben (Ethel), Alf (Martha); 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings. The memorial was at Vauxhall (Alta.) MB Church.
Vera RempelVera Rempel died July 20, 2010. She was born Nov. 28, 1926 in Neuenburg, Ukraine to Jakob and Mathilda (Harder) Neufeld. Vera was raised in Chortiza. She had many fond memories of playing with siblings and cousins around the famous Chortiza oak tree. Vera studied to be a childcare worker. She especially enjoyed working with babies. At 15, she travelled by train from Ukraine to Germany. July 28, 1945, she married Nicholas Rempel. In 1948, just prior to immigrating to Canada, Vera dedicated her life to the Lord. That year, Vera and Nick were baptized into Winkler (Man.) MB Church. In 1950, they moved to Virgil, Ont. Vera was fun-loving. She loved baking, canning, needlework, and quilting with the church ladies. She enjoyed family camping trips, playing games and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Vera is mourned by Nick; children Anne (Ray) Stoesz, Susan (Alex) McVean, John (Alice), Viola (Ric) Knudson; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren. The memorial was July 23 at Cornerstone Community Church, Virgil, Ont.
Henry VothHenry Ray Voth died July 27, 2010. He was born July 16, 1925 to Nickolas and Katharina Voth and grew up in Arnaud, Man. He married Katherine (Kay) Neufeld in 1948. They lived in Winnipeg until moving to Abbotsford, B.C., in 1972. He was a project manager and oversaw the construction of many schools and churches. He was a member at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford. Predeceased by 2 grandsons, 1 son-in-law, 7 siblings; Henry is mourned by Kay; daughters Shirley (Jim) Willems, Dodie (Pat) Hama, Trisha (John Doerksen) Collier-Doerksen, Jacquie (Gerry) Kornelsen; 12 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings.
