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Robert Yssennagger
Robert Yssennagger of Herbert, Sask. passed away Feb. 19. He was born June 20, 1934 in Amsterdam. His parents separated within a year; he was looked after by his father, grandparents and others. At 5, he came to an orphanage. His father remarried, and Robert became part of a new family. After grade 7, he got a job in a construction workshop. Fascinated by steel construction methods, he took night classes in technical drafting. At 18, he began a 28-year career in design-drafting, working for various engineering companies. A year later, he was drafted by the Dutch army, where as an officer he developed a gift for teaching. In 1958 he married Helena Stoevelaar. He accepted Christ in his mid-20s. Their middle child died in an accident in 1966. He became unemployed. In 1967 they came to Halifax, where they were taken in by the local Christian Reformed Church. They later moved to Calgary and Sudbury, Ont. to work. After serving a year as a pastoral intern in 1982, he and Helen pastored churches, in Calgary, Brandon, Man., Herbert, Sask. and Chaplin, Sask. In 1997 they retired to Herbert. He loved visiting people, leading Bible study groups and preaching God’s love in homes and churches. Predeceased by son Frank, he is survived by Helen; children Diana, Esther, Ron, and Vanessa Kornak; and 5 grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 23 in Herbert MB Church, with Henry Dueck ministering.
Edward Kroeker
Edward Kroeker of Minnedosa, Man. passed away in an accident Feb. 15 near Fort Collins, Colo. He was born Oct. 22, 1949 to John and Anne Kroeker in Winnipeg. He grew up in Winnipeg, but also lived in Ontario with his family for a time. He married Lorraine May 3, 1969. They farmed with his uncle John Loewen near Douglas, Man. They bought their own farm in 1976. He accepted the Lord in 1972 and was baptized in 1973, joining Justice (Man.) MB Church. After his family, his first passion was farming, which he did for almost 30 years. He also drove school bus and worked for Murray’s car dealership in Neepawa, Man. He was a long-distance trucker for the last 2 years, with Lorraine joining him on the road for his last 3 months. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the lake, skiing, camping and many other outdoor activities. He was involved with Gospel Light Bible Camp at Clear Lake, Man. for many years as a camper, counsellor, director and Board member. He was an usher, Sunday school teacher, deacon and moderator at Justice MB Church. He loved life and spread his happiness and laughter to others. He is mourned by Lorraine; daughter Jennifer Ellis; sons Michael, Geoffrey and Nicholas; 3 grandchildren; his parents; 3 brothers and 3 sisters. A memorial service was held Feb. 19 in Justice MB Church and the funeral was Feb. 20 in Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man., with Gerry Harms ministering.
Neil (Kornelius) Dyck
Neil (Kornelius) Dyck of Winnipeg passed away Mar. 28, 2001. He was born Oct. 28, 1953 to Jacob and Katharina Dyck in Paraguay. The family moved to Winnipeg when he was 3. They attended First Mennonite Church. He enjoyed playing hockey, running cross-country, cross-country skiing, camping, outings and family gatherings. He earned a B.A. from the University of Manitoba in sociology with a minor in religious studies. He was interested in God and the universe, read Tolstoy and books on theology and was intrigued by the search for truth. He had attended catechism classes at North Kildonan Mennonite Church. In 1972 he was baptized; the following year he read the Bible cover to cover. He slowly withdrew from church, but continued to read the Bible. He took yoga, practised meditation and studied world religions. In 1977 he travelled through the Holy Land and worked on kibbutzim. Back in Winnipeg, he attended a small Bible study group. Over the next 10 years, he became increasingly involved in church as a Sunday school teacher to children and adults, council member and lay speaker. He married Linda Klein in summer 1981. He took computer programming in 1982 and found work in this field. In 1989, he joined MCC, managing a low-income housing project in Kenora, Ont. He learned about native culture, language and religion. Returning to Winnipeg, he worked for Disabled Peoples’ International. He took a year off to write, worked in computer programming and completed further studies in that field at Red River Community College. He was diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder in 1997 and had a bone marrow transplant on Oct. 2, 1999. He experienced infections and complications from the surgery. He lost vision in his right eye and had a cataract in his left eye. He loved hiking, canoeing, kayaking, going west to the mountains and spending time with nature. He appreciated the friendship of others and the fellowship at River East MB Church. He is remembered as a good, loving, generous man who cared about the state of the world and humanity. He was intelligent, well-read and a deep thinker. He is mourned by Linda; his parents; 2 sisters and 2 brothers.
Helena Wall
Helena Wall of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away Mar. 14. She was born Aug. 3, 1908 to Kornelius and Justina Fast in Ukraine. Her mother died when Helena was 8; her father married Helena Wiens a year later. He died when she was 13, and she went to live with the Kroeker family. She accepted Christ at 17 and was baptized and joined the MB church May 25, 1925. At 21, she, 2 sisters and her brother-in-law went to Germany, where she worked with sick and dying children in the refugee camp where they stayed. They immigrated to Paraguay, settling in Village No. 4. She married Heinrich Wall Sept. 15, 1932. In 1973 they moved to St. Catharines, joining Scott St. MB Church. Heinrich died in 1991. She considered her grandchildren and great-grandchildren a blessing from the Lord. She spent her final years in Tabor Manor. In her last words to her children, she rejoiced in the truth of Philipians 1:6. Predeceased by Heinrich and a grandson, she is mourned by her children Erna Boldt, Lydia Klassen, Gerhard, Kathy Hein, Ernst and Herbert, all of Canada, and Heinrich, Sara Enns and Magda Flaming, all of Paraguay; 28 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 16 in Scott St. MB Church, with Paul Fast and Marvin Klassen ministering.
Janna Hope Klassen
Janna Hope Klassen passed away Mar. 29. She was born Mar. 5, 2002 to Jim and Carolyn Klassen in Winnipeg. She struggled bravely for her life. Her family had dreamed of holding her, seeing her smiles and pouts, hearing her cries and giggles, playing chase, sipping pink tea and playing hide and seek. Her short time with the family was a special gift and they treasure her place in their hearts. She is mourned by her parents; brothers Mitchell and Evan; grandparents Herman Rempel and Anna Rempel of Steinbach, Man. and Peter and Susan Klassen of St. Catharines, Ont.; and great-grandmothers Justina Nikkel of Coaldale, Alta. and Anna Goerzen of Abbotsford, B.C. The funeral was Apr. 6 in The Meeting Place, Winnipeg.
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Last modified April 30, 2002.
© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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