Deaths
Leni QuappLeni Quapp died May 6, 2008. She was born Mar. 17, 1923 to Jakob and Helena Epp in the Crimea. The family immigrated to a Mennonite colony in Brazil when Leni was 6. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour, and at 19 was baptized. She married Peter Quapp. In 1966, they moved from their dairy farm in Brazil to a raspberry farm in Abbotsford, B.C., where they became founding members of King Road MB Church. Leni approached life with humour and optimism. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, entertaining, reading, and playing games. She had a deep love for Jesus and a commitment to the local church. She was a tower of steady strength for her family. Predeceased by Peter; son Ewald; 4 siblings; she is mourned by daughters Gati (Jakob) Quapp-Harder, Elfi (Robert) Toren, Annemarie Thiessen, Lorene (Herb) Thiessen; 11 grandchildren; 5 siblings. The funeral was May 12 at King Road MB Church.
Abram DuerksenAbram Duerksen died Mar. 4, 2008. He was born Feb. 28, 1920 in Rudnerweide, Ukraine to Kornelius and Maria Duerksen. After his father was taken away by the communist authorities, Abram helped make a living in his father’s machine shop. He came to Germany after World War II, where he met Erna Welke. They married in 1948, after both families moved to Paraguay. They pioneered in Steinfeld. Abram also had a blacksmith shop. It was a difficult life and in 1957 they moved to St. Catharines, Ont., where he worked at Boese Canning Factory, then Girotti Machine Works. He was baptized in Paraguay but recommitted his life to God at Scott St. MB Church in 1967. He was a hard-working, faithful father with a strong character and sense of fun. He leaves to mourn Erna; children Elsa (Ed) Dyck, Lydia (Walter) Plett, Erna (George) Storm, Kornelius (Angela), Harry (Ziggy), Marianne (Tony) Toews; 20 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings. The funeral was Mar. 7 at Scott St. MB Church.
Mary UngerMary Unger died May 24, 2008. She was born Mar. 19, 1929 to Abram and Anna Wiebe in Hochfeld, Man. In 1944 the family moved to Yarrow, B.C. Mary thought she was in heaven when she first heard the Yarrow MB Church choir sing. She surrendered her life to Jesus, and in 1947 was baptized. She entered teacher’s training, teaching in Lillooet, Rosedale, and Yarrow. In 1955, she married John Unger. Mary underwent two heart surgeries. She loved her family and friends, and enjoyed the Dorcas Ruth Ladies Club, church ministries, volunteering with MCC, baking, canning, handwork, reading, and games. Her health began to deteriorate in 2007. Predeceased by 1 sister, she is mourned by John; children Lois (Erv) Warkentin, Mark (Sheryl), Eunice (Stan) Kroeker, Paul (Kathryn); 8 grandchildren; 3 sisters.
Gerhard (George) QuiringGerhard (George) Quiring died Apr. 27, 2008. He was born to Gerhard and Anna Quiring in Namaka, Alta., Sept. 21, 1927. George farmed at Tofield, Alta., until retirement. He loved the farm and put all his energy into his work. He was also very involved in church work, serving as a deacon with his wife Elvira. He later served for a number of years as lay pastor at Lindbrook and Tofield. They moved to Edmonton where they joined Sunrise MB Church and George continued his lay ministry. After Elvira died in Mar. 2000, George spent considerable time as a volunteer in a nursing home. Predeceased by Elvira, he is mourned by daughter Ruth (Daryl); sons Roy (Marlene), Gary (Anette), Tim (Val); 9 grandchildren; 6 siblings. The memorial service was in Tofield.
Lydia Caroline BoldtLydia Caroline Boldt died suddenly May 16, 2008. She was born June 7, 1925 in Grossweide, Ukraine to Abram and Emma Suderman. When she was 3 months old, Lydia immigrated to Canada with her parents, settling in Hepburn, Sask., and then Virgil, Ont. Lydia was a dedicated Christian and was baptized in 1942. She graduated from Winkler Bible School in 1944. She met Henry Boldt in 1947 while working at a summer job in B.C. They were married in 1948 and settled in St. Catharines, Ont. Lydia was employed for 32 years as a secretary and accountant. She was a charter member of Fairview MB Church in St. Catharines, and joined Bakerview MB Church in 1990 after moving to B.C. to be closer to family. She was a woman of great flair and zest, who enjoyed entertaining, travelling, walking, reading, and shopping. She volunteered in numerous capacities in her church and community. Lydia made friends easily and was warm and engaging. Predeceased by 1 sibling; 1 nephew; she is mourned by Henry; daughters Beverly (Harv) Klassen and Janet (Ernie Doerksen) Boldt; grandchildren; great-grandchildren. The memorial service was May 26 at Bakerview Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Evangeline KornelsonEvangeline Kornelson died June 6, 2008. She was born July 9, 1927 in Alexander, Man. to Frank and Mary Willms. Evangeline received her elementary education in a one-room schoolhouse with her father as the teacher. She received Jesus into her heart and life, and was baptized at 15, becoming a member of Niverville MB Church. After high school, she worked for several years and then attended MB Bible College in Winnipeg, where she met Wilmer Kornelson. They were married Aug. 19, 1952 and took up a pastorate at Lindal Church near Morden, Man. Evangeline was a faithful and committed supporter, serving with Wilmer in various capacities in Herbert, Sask., Kitchener, Ont., Vancouver, and Abbotsford. Evangeline taught Sunday school and DVBS, sang in the Fellowship Choir, and did tape visitation ministry to shut-ins. While in Bible College she sang live in a trio on the Gospel Light Hour radio program, now called Family Life Network. Evangeline, somewhat timid, never pushed herself into leading roles, but accepted responsibility and served with joy. She was faithful, kind, caring, loving, and devoted to the Lord. She is mourned by Wilmer; children Lois (Dave) Goertzen, Ken (Barb), and John (Tracey); 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings. The memorial service was June 11 at Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.
Allen Schmidt Allen Schmidt died June 9, 2008. He was born Feb. 28, 1916 in Hepburn, Sask. Allen led an unselfish life of service to his family, community, church, and profession and deeply cared about all those with whom he came in contact. He was grateful to God for his salvation in Christ, and desired to show that in everything he said and did. He taught school in several small and one-room schools in Saskatchewan before moving to B.C., first to North Bend in 1952 and then to Hope, where he was a teacher and counsellor from 1957 to 1978. He enjoyed his many years of retirement, delighting in friendships, travelling, gardening, church, publishing family memoirs, and visiting his children and grandchildren. Many of his students kept in contact with him and he enjoyed following their lives. Throughout his years in Abbotsford, he was a faithful visitor to the sick and elderly. Predeceased in 1997 by Louise, his wife of 57 years, he is mourned by sons Ron (Joan), Dennis (Beth), and Brian; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was June 14 at Bakerview MB Church.
Tina WiensTina Wiens died May 19, 2008. She was born Mar. 27, 1921 in Pavlodar, Russia to David D. and Katharina Janz. After the death of her parents, Tina was adopted by her uncle and aunt, Abraham and Helena Janz. The family escaped Russia in 1929 and immigrated to Canada, where they were pioneers. Tina accepted Jesus as Saviour at 14 and was baptized by her father in 1935. Three years at LaGlace Bible School in Alberta prepared her for teaching Sunday school and DVBS. She also took a practical nursing course. Tina married Kornelius Wiens Oct. 20, 1948. They lived in Alberta and B.C., where the family worked together, growing vegetables, picking berries, raising cows and chickens, and building their own home. In 1986, Kornelius and Tina moved to Abbotsford, where they enjoyed many rich blessings at Bakerview and Clearbrook MB churches. People were special to Tina and she loved everyone dearly. She enjoyed entertaining, researching genealogies, writing letters, being outside in God’s beautiful creation, travelling, and singing in choirs. Most important was her relationship with Jesus. She is mourned by Kornelius; children David (Vivienne), Vic (Karen), Benjamin, Esther, Martha (Lindsay) Chambers; 5 grandchildren. The memorial service was May 23 at Clearbrook MB Church.
Maxine Denise SiemensMaxine Denise Siemens died May 24, 2008. She was born Sept. 9, 1922 in Wadena, Sask. to Clyde and Anna King. Shortly after her birth, Maxine’s family moved to Spalding, Sask., where she enjoyed a happy childhood. After high school, she attended teacher training college in Moose Jaw, Sask., followed by four years of teaching in Saskatchewan and three in B.C. Maxine met her beloved Al at Cultus Lake in 1949 and it was love at first sight. They were married Mar. 10, 1950. Maxine was saved in 1959 through reading the Gospel of John, and was an ardent Christian for the rest of her life. The practical expression of her faith through her gentle and loving kindness influenced many. Predeceased by 1 grandson; 1 great-grandson; she is mourned by Al; children Roger (Gail), Randy (Debbie), Richard (Arlene), Joan (Jeff), Doug (Lana), and Mitch (Pam); 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings. The memorial was May 29 at Clearbrook MB Church.
John Epp
John Epp died June 16, 2008. He was born Mar. 16, 1921 in Felsenbach, Russia to John and Mary Epp. The family immigrated to Canada in 1927, settling in southern Saskatchewan. John accepted Christ during his first year of Bible College at age 18. He enjoyed singing in male quartets, first in Bible College, then later in the Canadian army. He served 3 years in the medical corps starting in 1943. He married Marie Schmidt in 1946. Over the years, they were members of MB churches in Saskatoon and B.C. John worked for 35 years as a district manager for the Star-Phoenix in Saskatoon, where he enjoyed travelling and engaging people in conversation. He also loved fast, new cars. He moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1987 and then to Abbotsford in 2006. Predeceased by 1 grandson; 2 brothers; 2 sisters; he is mourned by Marie; daughters Shirley (Dale) Whittles, Mary Ann (David) Roberts, and Linda; sons Edward (Leanne) and Gordon (Cheryl); 14 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters. The memorial service was June 20 at the chapel of Springfield Funeral Home, Kelowna, B.C.
