Deaths
Erica VothErica Voth died Mar.15, surrounded by her family. Born Jan. 11, 1921 to Anna and Johann Schroeder in Rosenthal, Russia, she immigrated to Manitoba with her family in 1923. She spent her childhood in Niverville, Winnipeg, and Morris, then worked in Winnipeg as a teen. There she met Henry Voth, whom she married in April 1943. They served in church ministry in B.C., Ontario, and Manitoba. Henry died in 1981. Erica continued serving at Portage Avenue Church in Winnipeg, as well as volunteering at Mennonite Central Committee and the Centre for MB Studies. She was generous in her relationships, often travelling long distances to see family and friends. She is mourned by daughters Erica (Vic) Schmidt, Elizabeth (Herb) Lodde, Ellen (Gerald) Neufeld, and Sharon (Carl) Epp; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings.
Anne Isaac Anne Isaac died Sept. 16, 2007. She was born July 11, 1930, in Mersea, Ont., the first of three children in the Rogalsky family. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized as a teen at the Leamington (Ont.) MB Church. She married Abe Isaac in 1951. She spent the rest of her life in St. Catharines, Ont., where she was a faithful member of Fairview MB Church. Anne was a thoughtful, caring, fun-loving person and a wonderful mother. She had many interests, such as oil painting, gardening, baking, and handwork. She is mourned by Abe; children Paul (Terry), David (Janet), and Linda (Ken); 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson. The funeral was at Fairview MB Church.
Annie M. PennerAnnie Penner died Dec. 7, 2007, at age 91. She was born Mar. 28, 1916 to Jacob J. and Mary Wiebe in Morden, Man. She put her faith in Jesus Christ early in life, and was baptized into the Winkler MB Church. In 1936, she married Henry J. Penner. They enjoyed many fulfilling years on a farm in Kronsgart, then moved to Winkler in 1966. Annie was active in the church’s women’s group, served with Henry in deacon work, and supported the local church through her faithful prayers and generosity. She was known for her gracious hospitality and love for people. Predeceased by Henry in 1996, daughter Velma Dyck in 2006; she is mourned by daughters Marilyn (Walter) Braun, Jenny (Rennie) Regehr, Julia (Rod) Zook; son-in-law Albert Dyck; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. The funeral service was Dec. 13 at Winkler MB Church.
Evelyn Esther VothEvelyn Esther Voth died Sept. 29, 2007. She and her twin sister Dorothy were born Apr. 23, 1925 to H.H. and Mary Janzen in Morden, Man. The twins grew up in the Winkler, Man. area and often sang together in trios. Evelyn married Reuben Voth in 1945, and they moved to a farm in the Roland, Man. area. They sold the farm and moved to Mountain Lake, Minn. in 1957, 3 years later to Lincoln, Neb., and in 1969, to Eugene, Ore. Wherever Evelyn lived, gardening, canning, and music marked her life. Her strong alto rang out in choirs, trios, and duets. Reuben died in 2003. In 2005, Evelyn returned to Winkler, living her last years in Salem Home, down the hall from her twin sister, Dorothy Enns. Predeceased by Reuben, 1 brother; she is mourned by sons Dennis, Wesley, and Patrick; 8 grandchildren; 3 siblings. The memorial service was Oct. 4 at the Salem Home Chapel.
Sara Jane Kehler
Sara Jane Kehler, beloved baby daughter of Jared and Kristin (Breckman) Kehler passed away after briefly joining her family Apr. 8. Besides her parents, Sara Jane is mourned by her grandparents Marvin and Darlene Kehler, and Jo and Marianne Breckman, her great-grandparents, 3 great-great-grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. The graveside service was Apr. 17 in High Bluff, Man.
Helen NeufeldHelen Neufeld died Apr. 7 at age 95. She was born Dec. 11, 1912 to Heinrich and Sarah Neufeld in Arkadak, Russia. The family came to Canada in 1930, settling in Holmfield, Man. Helen worked as a domestic, both in the country and in Winnipeg. She was baptized upon confession of her faith Aug. 6, 1933 in Winnipeg. Later she moved back to the Holmfield area where she farmed with her brother Henry for some time. In 1959, she moved to Winkler. She worked at Salem Home and joined Winkler MB Church. She moved into Salem Home in 2002. Predeceased by 2 sisters, 4 brothers; she is mourned by brothers John, Cornie, and Frank. The funeral was Apr. 11 at Salem Home.
Susan Bahnman Susan (Dahl) Bahnman died Apr. 27 at 94. She was born in South Russia and immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling on a farm near Elbow, Sask. In 1941 she married George Bahnman and they moved to Central Butte, Sask., then to Loreburn, Sask. in 1946. In 1967, son John died suddenly, and in 1970, George died of cancer. In 1971, Susan moved to Saskatoon, where she lived the rest of her life. She was grateful for a long and healthy life. Susan was full of energy, whether for sewing, crocheting, making quilts, or tending her garden and flowers. Predeceased by her husband, 1 son; she is mourned by children Al (Marilyn), Reuben, Ruth Thode, and their families; 6 siblings.
John J. Dueck
John J. Dueck died Apr. 9. He was born Jan. 15, 1926 in Ukraine. His wife Margarethe predeceased him in 1994. John was a member of Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. The funeral was Apr. 11 at Tallman Funeral Homes, Vineland, Ont.
Abram Jacob FunkAbram Jacob Funk died Oct. 21, 2007. He was born Aug. 30, 1929 to Abram and Anna Janzen in Celo Lugovoe, Russia. His mother died in childbirth and Abram was adopted by his aunt and her husband, Lena and Jacob Funk. When Abram was 10, his father was imprisoned by the communist authorities and never heard from again. With the start of World War II, Abram and his adopted mother, together with other Germans, were removed from their homes near the Chinese border. He and his mother moved to Siberia in 1955, where Abram married Lena Neufeld. They moved to Kirgizia, then immigrated to Vancouver in 1978. There they began to attend church regularly. Abram was baptized at Culloden MB Church in 1990. He worked as a carpenter most of his life, continuing to make furniture in retirement. He is mourned by Lena; children Victor (Camille), Peter, Lisa, Lena (John), Anne (Jeff); 9 grandchildren.
Mary Friesen Mary Elizabeth Friesen died Apr. 2. She was born May 15, 1929 in Kenton, Man. to Paul and Annie Bergman. The family moved to B.C. in 1930. Mary had fond memories of her childhood in Agassiz. She was led to faith in Jesus through her Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Bartsch, and was baptized in Yarrow MB Church at 18. Her prayers for a good Christian husband were answered in Abe Friesen, whom she married in 1950. They lived in Vancouver 10 years, in Surrey 30 years, then retired in Abbotsford, where they attended Bakerview MB Church. Mary loved teaching and sharing the Bible with others. Rheumatoid arthritis took a relentless toll on her body. Although treatments failed, Mary found God her source of daily strength. She had a kind and gentle spirit, and a winning smile. She left a legacy of trust and faith. Predeceased by 2 brothers, she is mourned by Abe; children Norman, Carolyn (Andy), and Dorothy (Mike); 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 8 siblings. The service was Apr. 8 at Bakerview MB Church.
June Harvey
June Harvey died Apr. 8. She was born Mar. 21, 1920 in London, England to Harvey Cross and Molly Delaney. The family moved to Canada. June’s parents later returned to England. June also returned to care for her mother until her death. During World War II, June joined the Air Force. She married her Canadian penpal Jack Harvey and they settled in Woodstock, Ont. They spent their senior years near Port Rowan, Ont., where they attended a weekly Bible study. June was baptized and joined Port Rowan (Ont.) MB Church in 1988. Jack died in 1994. June was a jolly, pleasant person and doting mother and grandmother. She spent many hours producing beautiful oil paintings. Her last years were spent in Parkwood Hospital in London, Ont. Predeceased by son Gary, 3 siblings; she is mourned by daughters Lorraine (George) Bloomfield, Valerie (Tom) Durston, and Charlene (Kim) Brown; stepson Wayne (Kay) Mutch; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was Apr. 11 at Port Rowan MB Church.
Peter Huebert Peter Huebert died Apr. 18. He was born Nov. 10, 1923 in Tiege, Ukraine to Nikolau and Helene Huebert. In 1929, his family fled to Moscow and were among the few permitted to leave the country. They immigrated to Brazil, where Peter experienced conversion and was baptized, in 1946, in the Mennonite Brethren church of Boqueirao, Curitiba. In 1947 he married Maria Neufeld. Peter felt the Lord’s call to service. He served in the MB Children’s Home at Uberaba, near Curitiba. He was ordained in 1956, and in 1960 he and Maria entered the ministry of evangelism and church planting in Sao Mateus do Sul. In 1964 they went to Quito, Ecuador, to work in the German department of Radio HCJB, which was under MB Mission and Service International. They followed their children to Canada to retire, settling in Abbotsford, B.C. and finding a spiritual home in King Road MB Church. Peter continued to serve in various ways, including the radio ministry, Message of Peace, for more than 14 years. Predeceased by daughter Edith, son Harry, grandson Jason, 2 siblings; he is mourned by Maria, children Helmut (Ellen), Godfrey (Laurie), Heidi (Henry) Bergen, and Henry; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Apr. 25 at King Road MB Church.
Margaret ToewsMargaret Toews died Apr. 14 at age 101. She was born Feb. 12, 1907 to Jacob and Margaretha Dyck in Main Centre, Sask. Her parents died while she was a pre-teen so she was raised by her mother’s relatives in Winkler, Man. She met and married Abram Toews in 1929. They farmed north of Morden, Man., and attended the Morden MB Church. Margaret enjoyed her garden, helped her husband with farm chores, and cooked delicious meals. She had a great concern for the spiritual welfare of her children. In 1966, they retired to Kelowna, B.C. Margaret made many layettes and quilts for Mennonite Central Committee. Predeceased by Abram in 1989, son Menno in 1955; she is mourned by children Abe (Anne), Jake (Elsie), Grace, Esther (John) Rempel, and Bill (Eugenie); 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter.
Anna HildebrandAnna Hildebrand died Apr. 28 at age 91. She was born Mar. 27, 1917 in Tiege, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada, settling in Hepburn, Sask., where Anna made a profession of faith and was baptized in the Hepburn MB Church. In 1938 the family moved to Virgil, Ont. Anna worked in canning factories, cleaned houses, and was a nanny. She married Victor Hildebrand in 1954. They farmed in Skiff, Alta. In 1989 they moved to Coaldale, Alta. Her health declined and she entered long-term care in 2000. Anna enjoyed handwork, music, and interacting with people. She was an impeccable housekeeper and often hosted visiting missionaries. Bible reading and prayer were part of her daily life. She is mourned by Victor; children Marilyn and David (Hilda); 3 grandchildren. The memorial service was
May 1 at Coaldale MB Church.
Margaretha SawatzkyMargaretha Sawatzky died Dec. 31, 2007 at age 97. She was born Dec. 25, 1910 in Nikoleithal, Ukraine to David and Elizabeth Peters. She accepted Jesus as her Saviour during revival meetings in 1929 and was baptized in the Neu-Chortitza Mennonite Church. The family fled to Moscow later that fall and were among the few who were allowed to leave the country. They settled in Winkler, Man. She married Franz G. Sawatzky in 1936. He died of cancer in 1939. She continued to operate their small mixed farm in Gnadenthal, Man. until 1953 when she became cook at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna, Man., to pay for her son’s education. Margaretha moved to Winnipeg in 1955, working in a sewing factory, then moved to various locations with her schoolteacher son. In 1973 she moved to Winkler, Man. She was fiercely independent, self-educated, skilled at planning programs, and interested in poetry and music. She helped others in many ways. Precedeased by her husband, 8 siblings; she is mourned by son Arthur Frank; 2 sisters; 2 sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.
