|  | |
Previous | Next
In this section:
Elisabeth Thiessen
Elisabeth Thiessen of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away Sept. 20 of heart failure. She was born June 11, 1914 to John and Maria Wiebe in Kuruschan, Russia. In 1924 they immigrated to Elmira, Ont. They also lived in Pelee Island, Rodney, Fruitland, Leamington and Virgil, Ont. She accepted Christ in her teens, was baptized and joined Leamington MB Church. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and VBS and was active in the ladies’ group and sewing circle. She enjoyed volunteering in the Christian Benefit Shop. She enjoyed fellowship in a number of churches, including Virgil MB Church and Scott Street and Grantham MB Churches in St. Catharines. She married Jacob Thiessen Apr. 17, 1948 in Virgil. They lived on a fruit farm for 30 years. They retired to Lakeshore Road, then to St. Catharines. They travelled to Europe, Israel, the US and other parts of Canada. They kept the farm atmosphere by growing a garden. They befriended neighbours. In 1987 they moved to Tabor Apartments and in 1991 to Tabor Manor. A year later, Jacob died. She suffered 2 hip fractures and was confined to a wheelchair. She is mourned by sons Jake and John; daughters Mary Kirkpatirick, Judy Sosiak and Carol Kropp; 14 grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Sept. 23 in Grantham MB Church, with John Wiebe ministering.
Helen Wiens
Helen Wiens passed away Mar. 29. She was born July 6, 1906 to Abram and Anna Martens in Kleefeld, Ukraine. After her only brother died at age 2, her father accepted Christ, and theirs became a Christian home. At 17, she was born again through the song “Why Not Now”?. The family fled to Canada in 1926. They settled on a cattle farm near Hepburn, Sask. Helen worked as a live-in maid and nanny in Saskatoon 1926-29. In 1929 she married childhood friend Frank Wiens, and moved in with him and his four younger siblings on a farm near Watrous, Sask. In 1944 they moved to a fruit farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Church was important to Helen in Kleefeld, Watrous and Virgil, Ont. Her children found the Lord. In 1972 Helen and Frank retired to St. Catharines, Ont. In 1986 they moved to Tabor Manor. In 1995 Helen moved to Heritage Place. Her room became a sanctuary for the family. She was always grateful. She was a faithful prayer warrior. Her life spoke eloquently of the mercy and faithfulness of God. Predeceased by Frank in 1988, son Werner in 1991 and a great-grandson, she is mourned by children Leona Koop of Vineland, Ont., Irene Bartel and Anne Koop, both of Virgil, Edith Klassen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Menno of Port Rowan, Ont. and Helen Warkentin of Niagara-on-the-Lake; 24 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Apr. 1 in Scott St. MB Church, St. Catharines, with Henry Penner, Peter Klassen and Rudy Bartel ministering.
Roland Giesbrecht
Roland Giesbrecht of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Sept. 17. He was born Feb. 28, 1927 to Jacob and Tina Giesbrecht in Waldheim, Sask. Until age 6, he lived in various places in Saskatchewan due to his father’s work with the OK Economy stores. During the Depression, they moved to Yarrow, B.C., to Laidlaw, B.C., then to Vancouver. He attended Vancouver Technical School. As a student during the war, he worked at Boeing Aircraft Company. He then worked 24 years in the Department of Consumer and Corporate Affairs and 10 years with B.C. Hydro. In retirement, he worked 3 years as superintendent of a medical building. While in Yarrow, at 11, he was led to the Lord by his mother following a message by J.B. Toews. He was baptized June 18, 1944 and joined Vancouver MB Church. He never wavered in his faith. He attended Vancouver Bible School at night and briefly MB Bible College, Winnipeg. He helped with street meetings in downtown Vancouver, taught Sunday school and sang in church choirs. He was a deacon in Culloden MB Church, Vancouver. He married Helen Toews Aug. 4, 1957. He survived a heart attack and triple by-pass surgery in 1981-82. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. They moved into a condo in Abbotsford. During his illness, he spent many hours in Bible reading and prayer. He desired that Jesus would take him home, quoting Psalm 116:15. He is remembered as a kind and caring husband, father and grandfather. Predeceased by 1 brother and a twin sister, he is mourned by Helen; daughters Leona Hiebert of Japan and Judy Janzen of Surrey, B.C.; sons Lawrence of Port Coquitlam, B.C. and Jerry of Fresno, Calif.; 7 grandchildren; 2 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was Sept. 22 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Susan Pearl Martens
Susan Pearl Martens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Sept. 13. She was born Nov. 26, 1912 to Peter P. and Helena Wiebe in Borden, Sask. The family was materially poor, but musically and spiritually rich. In 1929 they moved to Acme, Alta. She worked as a domestic. Her appendix burst, and she almost died. At that time, she accepted Christ, making I John 1:7 her motto. The family moved to Coaldale, Alta. She was baptized and joined Coaldale MB Church. She worked as a maid in various homes and as a cook in Coaldale Hospital. She married John Martens Aug. 8, 1937. She quilted, sewed, baked, made preserves and patiently answered thousands of children’s questions – all with a song in her heart. The family made many trips to the mountains, the radio tuned to Billy Graham. Wild floral arrangements decorated her home. She loved to sing. She encouraged her children in music. The trill of the meadowlark, her favourite bird, lived in her heart. She served in the Frauenverein, was active in the Parent Teachers’ Association and helped organize many community events, including an international food festival. In 1967 they moved to Abbotsford. She sang in the seniors’ choir in Bakerview MB Church. She was an excellent hostess; her home was always open. Although she had little formal education, learning was a lifelong joy. She reveled in rock hounding, flowers and human nature. She thanked God for her thinking mind and for those who had happy attitudes towards life. In her final years, she was able to accept and take pleasure in whatever her situation was. Predeceased by son Orlando in 1989, 5 brothers and 5 sisters, she is mourned by John; children John, Loretta Fournier, Trudy Ulsrud and Debbi Thiessen; 13 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; and 2 sisters. The funeral was Sept. 17 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Henry Thiessen, Ross Johnston and H.R. Baerg ministering.
Aaron Peters
Aaron Peters of Waldheim, Sask. passed away suddenly Sept. 12. He was born Mar. 31, 1923. He was baptized and joined Waldheim MB Church June 6, 1993. He had a friendly greeting and handshake for everyone. He lived with Winston and Peggy Clisby. He is mourned by brother Willey. The funeral was Sept. 16 in Waldheim MB Church, with Clarence Peters ministering.
Henry H. Dueck
Henry H. Dueck of Winnipeg passed away Sept. 27. He was born Jan. 17, 1905 to Heinrich and Maria Dueck in Blumenheim, Molotschna, Russia. In 1911 the family moved to Arkadak, Russia. At 11, he accepted Christ; at 13, he was baptized and joined the MB church in Arkadak. In 1925 he immigrated to Canada, homesteading near North Battleford, Sask. In 1926 he joined his family in Winkler, Man. They farmed for 3 years near Manitou, Man., then settled near Boissevain, Man. In 1940 he married Sara (Janzen) Wiebe. They farmed at Newton, Man. In 1973 they retired to Winnipeg. He enjoyed gardening and yard work. They moved to Donwood West in 1990 and Donwood Manor apartments in 1994. By October 1998, his health had deteriorated; he moved to Donwood Manor Personal Care Home. Church was important to him, and he was always active teaching, conducting choirs and sometimes preaching. He was among the founders of Manitou and Boissevain MB churches. In Newton, he was active in Sunday school, was on the church council and was treasurer. He appreciated the fellowship of Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg. Predeceased by son William, 3 brothers and 1 sister, he is mourned by Sara; children Sadie Klassen of Port Rowan, Ont., Elfrieda Nikkel of Abbotsford, B.C., Jake of Winnipeg, Esther Durksen of Winnipeg and Mary Goossen of Winkler; 21 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 3 sisters. The funeral was Oct. 2 in Portage Ave. MB Church.
Abram Walter Schellenberg
Abram Walter Schellenberg of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Sept. 22. He was born Oct. 22, 1913 to Johann and Helen Schellenberg in Reinfeld, Ukraine. When he was 6, his father was killed. In 1921 his mother remarried. In 1923 the family immigrated to Canada. Because of trachoma, he remained in refugee camps in Germany and England for 5 years. At 14, he began a long process of work and education, culminating in Winkler (Man.) Bible School and teacher’s training. While at Winkler, he recommited his life to Christ; he was baptized in 1933. He taught a total of 34 years in Mennonite high schools in Yarrow, B.C., Gretna, Man. and Winnipeg and in public schools, mostly in Winnipeg. He completed a B.L.S. at the University of British Columbia in 1968 and was a school librarian for the remainder of his teaching career. In 1955 he married Anne Funk of Elm Creek, Man. They were active in Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg. He was ordained; among his pastoral duties in Elmwood Church was organizing the annual Bible conference. In 1979 he retired from teaching. He was editor of Mennonitische Rundschau for 10 years. In 1991 he and Anne moved to Abbotsford, B.C., joining Central Heights MB Church. They enjoyed being closer to their grandchildren. His health deteriorated; in fall 1997 he moved to Menno Hospital. He is mourned by Anne; daughters Betty Couture, Ruth, Linda Krahn and Kathie Moore; and 9 grandchildren. The funeral was Sept. 27 in Central Heights MB Church.
Correction
The photo accompanying the obituary of Helena Thiessen (MBH, Oct. 8) was incorrect. It has been corrected in the archived version. We apologize for the error and regret any pain this may have caused the families.
Previous | Next Last modified January 26, 2000.
© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.
|
