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Heidi Gibbons
Heidi Gibbons passed away May 23. She was born in 1965 to George and Margaret Thiessen. She graduated from UMEI in Leamington, Ont. in 1983. From there she went on to the University of Waterloo for 5 years, majoring in English. After graduation, she started a career in technical writing. She married Ron Gibbons Apr. 11, 1992. They lived in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ont. In September 1993, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After 6 months of treatments, she was cancer-free. In 1995 they moved to Morgantown, W.Va., where Ron worked for Phillips Lighting. In early October 1995, she was diagnosed with cancer on her lungs. She loved reading, and spent many hours in study of the Word of God. She shared her wisdom and insight with others. She was a blessing to many people at church, to staff and patients at the hospital and to neighbours. Her faith was in Christ, not in circumstances, giving her strength, courage, perseverance and patience. Her theme Bible passage was I Peter 1:3-9. She is mourned by Ron and by her parents, of Leamington.
Peter Isaac Fast
Peter Isaac Fast of Coaldale, Alta. passed away Oct. 9. He was born Dec. 10, 1908 to Isaac and Elizabeth Fast in Friedensfeld, south Russia. His parents died in winter 1918. The Jacob Wiebes took him in. In 1929 they came to Canada. He married Agnes Giesbrecht Feb. 27, 1935. Agnes died July 2, 1941 after the birth of their fourth child. Her death caused him to reflect on his readiness to meet the Lord, and he made his commitment to the Lord later that summer. He was baptized and joined the MB church. A favourite Scripture was Psalm 103. He married Anna Unger Jan. 29, 1942. Six more children were born. They farmed in Rosemary and Vauxhall, Alta., moving to Ryley, Alta. in 1966. In 1973 they retired to Coaldale. In 1994 they moved to Sunny South Lodge. In April 1999 he became a resident of St. Michael’s Health Centre. He is mourned by Anna; children Mary Berg of Gem, Alta., Reinhold of Edmonton, Elizabeth Willems of Waldheim, Sask., Agnes Hamm of Ryley, John of Coaldale, Henry of Abbotsford, B.C., Albert of Devon, Alta., and Frieda Boschman, Linda and Abe, all of Coaldale; 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 13 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Peter Wall
Peter Wall passed away Oct. 10 in Lethbridge, Alta. He was born Sept. 15, 1917 in Crimea, Russia. In 1930 he and his family immigrated to Canada, settling in Coaldale, Alta. In 1940 he married Helen Willms. They owned and operated several farms until retiring in 1982. He loved farming, and enjoyed old western movies, country and western music and spending time with his many friends. In later years, he and Helen wintered in California and Arizona. In 1980, during one of these trips, he made his commitment to the Lord. He is remembered as a kind, caring, respected man and as a loving husband, father and grandfather. Predeceased by son Ken, a brother and a sister, he is mourned by Helen; daughter Sharon Little of Lethbridge; 4 grandchildren; 5 brothers and 3 sisters. The memorial service was Oct. 14 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Corny Braun ministering.
Valerie Gayle Jahnke
Valerie Gayle Jahnke of Herbert, Sask. passed away Oct. 27. She was born Sept. 19, 1965 to Menno and Lottie Siemens in Swift Current, Sask. She attended Main Centre (Sask.) MB Church and at a young age accepted Christ. She was baptized in Herbert MB Church. After high school in Herbert, she attended the University of Saskatchewan for a year. In October 1984 she married Allan Jahnke in Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current. In 1970 the family moved to Herbert. Her commitment to Christ was evident in her ministry in music, DVBS, Sunday school, Pioneer Girls and Moms’ Morning Out. She especially enjoyed singing with her friend Dianne. She taught her children to sing. She treasured her children, providing love, peace and happiness. In July 1994, she was diagnosed with abnormal cells, but, due to her pregnancy, treatment was delayed until January 1995. She had surgery, and remained in excellent health. In October 1998 she experienced back pain. In January 1999 cancer was diagnosed. Although the cancer was inoperable, she was determined to win the battle with cancer and daily sought the Lord’s help. Despite increasing pain, she continued to trust her Lord, and for the most part remained cheerful. She was hospitalized, and was unable to speak, but was comforted by Christian family and friends. She is mourned by Allan; children Kimberley, Matthew, Kaitlyn and Kristen; her parents; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Nov. 1 in the Herbert School gymnasium, with Ed Schmidt and Tony Martens ministering.
Suzanna Reimer
Suzanna (Susie) Reimer passed away Oct. 26 in Coaldale, Alta. She was born Apr. 4, 1917 to Peter and Katherina Riediger in Klinock, Samara, Russia. Five of her 14 siblings died before 1926, when the family immigrated to Canada. They worked on the Oxley Ranch in Stavely, Alta. for 7 years. Here she met Henry Reimer; in 1937 they married in Vauxhall, Alta. After many moves, they settled in Coaldale. She had a passion for handicrafts, collecting many. She enjoyed her time with the Coaldale seniors. She loved nature, particularly flowers. During her last weeks, she anticipated going home. She is mourned by Henry; children Evelyn of Olds, Alta, Marguerite Antonio of Mission, B.C., Ben of Lethbridge, Alta., Rose Bain of Calgary and Dorothy Sera of Lethbridge; 10 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The memorial service was Oct. 29 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Gerhard Reimer ministering.
Previous | Next Last modified December 9, 1999.
© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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