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Abram G. Braun
Abram G. Braun passed away July 22 in Medicine Hat, Alta. He was born Feb. 25, 1929 in Hague, Sask., where he spent the early part of his life. He later lived in various locations in Alberta. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized July 3, 1957 in Taber, Alta. He married Mary Hooge June 27, 1957 in Taber. Most of his working years were spent farming and in construction. He enjoyed woodworking, photography, camping, fishing, travelling and planes. He is remembered as a caring, devoted family man who relished special occasions with his family. He is mourned by Mary; children Richard, Peggy Pauls, Carolyn Smith, Susan Blue and Dale; 9 grandchildren; 3 brothers and 5 sisters. The funeral was July 26 in Crestwood MB Church, Medicine Hat, with Murray Schmidt ministering.
Anna Klassen
 Anna Klassen passed away May 17 in St. Catharines, Ont. She was born Mar. 31, 1908 to Cornelius and Katherina Pauls in Kronstal, Ukraine. As a teen, she accepted Christ and joined the MB church. During a youth gathering, she met Abram Klassen. They were both children of MB ministers. They married in 1929. In 1943 they fled Russia. In 1947 they moved to Paraguay. They were ordained to the ministry, helped settle many widows, were involved with MCC and served as leaders in their local church. In 1955 they immigrated to Port Rowan, Ont. After 9 years, they moved to Vineland, Ont., serving in Vineland MB Church and at Vineland Home for the Aged. Abram died in 1976. Anna found strength in Bible study, German Sunday school, developing friendships with people of all ages and listening to her favourite German tapes. She loved and was loved by her family. Her life demonstrated the grace of God. She is mourned by children Anna Goossen, Abe, Katie Heier and Mary Klassen; 43 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 20 in Vineland MB Church, with Henry Wiebe and Ralph Tallman ministering.
Margaret Peters
 Margaret Peters of Steinbach, Man. passed away June 7 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born May 6, 1922 to Jacob and Maria Klassen at Gnadenthal, Ukraine. The family fled to Libou, then Britain and Canada in 1923. They settled near Gretna, Man. The oldest daughter of 11 children, she had to interrupt her education to help care for her siblings. She was an excellent seamstress and homemaker. She later took formal training in tailoring. During her teens, she participated in Singstunde (choir), literary programs, Jugendbund and Jugendverein (youth groups). She was baptized in 1941 and joined the Blumenort church near Gretna. She later joined Steinbach MB Church. She completed grade 11 at Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, attended Elim Bible School in Altona, Man. for 1 year and earned a teaching certificate. She taught in Rosengart 1948-49. She married Jacob J. Peters Aug. 4, 1949 and moved to Steinbach, where Jake was teaching. Her primary interest was creating and managing a home for her husband and 3 sons. In 1979 Jake died suddenly. She found comfort from her sons, her brothers and sisters in the faith and her faith in Christ. A biennial Klassen gathering in Gretna was a highlight for her. She embraced her daughters-in-law and gave herself unstintingly to her grandchildren. She is remembered for her many close friendships. Her commitment to the church was unwavering. She is mourned by sons Herbert, Victor and Wilfred and 8 grandchildren. The funeral was June 11 in Steinbach MB Church, with Neil Rempel ministering.
Margaret Ratzlaff
 Margaret Ratzlaff passed away May 12 in Abbotsford, B.C. She was born May 31, 1914 to Peter and Maria Reimer in Blumenort, Siberia. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada, settling in southern Manitoba. In her later youth, she worked as a housekeeper in Winnipeg to help support the family. Her dream to become a teacher was unfulfilled because of this commitment. She accepted Christ as a teen and was later baptized in Boissevain, Man. She married Peter Ratzlaff Sept. 30, 1937 on the Reimer farm in Boissevain. Shortly after, they moved to Abbotsford. Two children were stillborn. She struggled with health problems, especially asthma, throughout her life. She and Peter were part of the early development of South Abbotsford MB Church, and she was involved in various service groups. Church was important to her. She took pride in her cooking and baking skills. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings on special occasions, and tending her rose and flower gardens. In 1973 they moved to Clearbrook, B.C. In 1981 they moved to Evergreen Village. She was involved in Clearbrook Community Centre, taking leadership in cooking several meals a week. She is remembered for her love of reading, knowledge of Scripture and commitment to prayer, spending many hours in prayer for her family. She instilled in her children a strong sense of accountability to the Lord. In May 1995 she suffered a severe heart attack, and her health deteriorated. She longed to see the Lord’s return. She is mourned by Peter; children Fred, Dan, Lynda Friesen and Marieanne Funk; 14 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 17 in South Abbotsford MB Church, with Steve Berg and David Epp ministering.
Jacob Driediger
 Jacob Driediger passed away July 15. He was born April 27, 1922 to Kornelius and Anna Driediger near Omsk, Siberia. In 1926 the family immigrated to Ontario, later buying a farm near Oak Lake, Man. From an early age, he was urged to accept the Lord as his Saviour. He took grade 9 via correspondence, then attended Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, Man. Here a friend asked if he wanted to accept Christ; he eagerly said yes. That summer he was baptized in Griswold (Man.) MB Church. He found so much pleasure in reading the Bible that he attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School for a year. He graduated from MCI in 1941, then took teacher training in Winnipeg. He taught elementary school near Horndean, Man., but didn’t finish the year because he was drafted. He acquired a farm leave to manage his parents’ farm. On July 15, 1945, he married Gertrude Fast of Niverville, Man. Several months later, they moved near Sardis, B.C., joining Greendale MB Church. They were involved in music and teaching Sunday school. He was church treasurer 1956-98, performing this God-given task with dedication and joy. He loved music. He sang baritone in the Gospel Light Hour Male Quartet 1949-52, sang in the choir for over 40 years, sang duets with Gertrude and hymns with his children, and sang in the German choir for many years. He was a devoted family man. He is remembered as a person of faith and integrity who inspired his children to follow Christ. He travelled with his family throughout Canada, the US and Europe. In November 1997 he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He faced his illness with courage and faith in God. He is mourned by Gertrude; children George, Walter, Ted, and Kathy Grycan; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 1 sister and 12 brothers. The funeral was July 19 in Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C., with Reg Toews ministering.
Henry Neumann
 Henry Neumann of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away July 6. He was born Feb. 3, 1911 to Heinrich Dietrich and Sarah Neumann in Grünfeld, Slavograd, Siberia. At 12, he had a personal experience with Christ. His desire was to serve the Lord faithfully, but he had difficulty living as a Christian while working away from home. In 1926 the family moved to Canada. His education was cut short, and he worked on various farms in Saskatchewan. In 1931 he moved to British Columbia and worked on farms in the Yarrow/Chilliwack area. He married Kay Wiebe Oct. 20, 1935. He rededicated his life to the Lord Dec. 31, 1935. Shortly after, they were both baptized, joining Yarrow MB Church. In 1940 they moved to Vancouver, where he worked in the lumber industry for 20 years and then for the city of Vancouver for 25 years. Kay died Jan. 25, 1989. He married Anne Dyck May 26, 1990. He is mourned by Anne; children Don, Hilda Klassen and Dean; stepsons Irvin and Jim Dyck; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral was July 12 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Aaron Schultz
 Aaron (Ron) Schultz passed away Mar. 20 in Winnipeg after a brief battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 20, 1930 to John and Susanna Schultz near Gouldtown, Sask. His father died in 1939, and the family returned to Manitoba. As a teen, he worked on a farm to help support the family. At 16, he moved to Winnipeg, where he found work and lived with his brothers and sisters. In 1950 he married Caroline Sawatzky. They settled in Winnipeg. He worked for Simon-Day Company, assembling grain-cleaning equipment and then servicing equipment from Thunder Bay to Vancouver. After 28 years, he left this job for health reasons and worked a variety of jobs in Chilliwack, B.C., Saskatoon and Edmonton. In 1995 they retired to Winnipeg. He enjoyed singing and playing guitar with family and friends and in seniors’ homes. He loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. He was always ready to help them in whatever way he could. He loved watching his grandchildren in hockey, basketball, acrobatics and dance. Predeceased by 4 brothers, he is mourned by Caroline; children Sylvia Wiebe, Vicki Webb, Debra Ross and Michael; 5 grandchildren; and 6 sisters. The funeral was Mar. 24 in Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg, with Lorne Pearson ministering.
Previous | Next Last modified September 23, 1999.
© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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