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In this section:
Gerald Scott Thiessen
Gerald Scott Thiessen passed away Feb. 14 in Simcoe, Ont. He was born June 25, 1973 to Peter and Arlene Thiessen of Port Rowan, Ont. At a very young age, he accepted Christ, and from then on continued to mature in his faith. At 15, he was baptized and joined Port Rowan MB Church. He graduated from Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute and earned a psychology degree from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. While at WBI and Brock, he was active in sports and choir, led chapels and served on the executive of Brock Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. He worked at Bethesda Home, Vineland, as long as his health allowed. He had a strong desire to use his profession to give a better quality of life to people. He had many friends, caring deeply for and upholding them in prayer. In summer 1997 he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, a lymphatic cancer. He was determined God would see him through whatever He had planned for his life. He continued life as usual as long as he could. He is remembered for his gentle, quiet ways and beautiful smile. He didn’t complain about all he had to go through, and continued to reach out and help others until the end. Favourite verses were Lamentations 3:22-23. He is mourned by his parents; sisters Karen and Patricia; and special friend Karen MacIntosh. The funeral was Feb. 17 in Port Rowan MB Church, with Randy Dueck and Ray Russell ministering.
Bruce Earl Neufeld
Bruce Earl Neufeld of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Feb. 10. He was born Sept. 29, 1929 to John and Helen Neufeld in Schoental, Man. The family moved to British Columbia. They attended Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C. He attended Sharon Collegiate in Yarrow, B.C. In 1948 he was baptized. He married Sue Dick Oct. 23, 1949. They lived in Vancouver, joining Fraserview MB Church. He worked in the transportation and food industry. In 1976 they moved to Pitt Meadows, B.C. They later attended Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, where they found meaningful fellowship with the seniors’ group. In the various churches, he sang in the choir, was on church council and helped with Awana Boys’ Club. He was hospitable, ready to entertain relatives and friends and to find long-lost relatives. He had a deep concern for the spiritual welfare of his family. He loved gardening and woodworking. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1989 and with chronic kidney disease in 1990. In 1997 they moved to Abbotsford in order to be near a dialysis clinic. Predeceased by 1 brother in infancy and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by Sue; daughters Joan Kennedy, Joyce Collins and Jill Fuselli; sons Jim, John, Jeff and Joel; 20 grandchildren; his stepmother Nina Willms; and 2 stepsisters. The funeral was Feb. 15 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Len Doerksen and Ross Johnston ministering.
Peter John Rempel
Peter John Rempel passed away Jan. 21. He was born Nov. 28, 1909 to John G. and Justina Rempel in Millerovo, Ukraine. He accepted Christ Feb. 4, 1923. In 1924 the family immigrated to Vineland, Ont. They moved to Elmira, Ont. in 1925 and to Kitchener, Ont. in 1926. He was baptized Aug. 5, 1929 and joined Kitchener MB Church. Church involvement ranged from Sunday school teacher and superintendent for 30 years to choir member. In Kitchener, he worked at the Pequenant Clock Co. 1926-1933 and then at Kaufman Rubber until 1944, where he became assistant chief designer in the Pattern Dept. He then worked in the toolroom at Marsland Engineering. He was vice-president and general manager at Marsland Precision Equipment Ltd. 1955-66. In 1966 they moved to St. Catharines, Ont. He was vice-president of the manufacturing division of Can Eng Manufacturing, Niagara Falls, Ont. In 1970 his first wife Alice (Neufeld) died. He married Helen Wiebe June 29, 1974. In 1975 he retired. He and Helen worked for 10 years with MCC, establishing and running MCC Benefit Shops first in St. Catharines, then in Kitchener, Elmira and New Hamburg, Ont. after they moved to the Kitchener-Waterloo area. He suffered a minor stroke Apr. 27, 1999 and another one Aug. 13. Predeceased by Alice, 3 sisters and 2 brothers, he is mourned by Helen; son Arthur of Bala, Ont. and daughter Karen Arthur of Wainfleet, Ont. The funeral was Jan. 25 at Ratz Bechtal Funeral Home, with Henry Wiebe and Allan Labun ministering.
Mary Nettie Sawatsky
Mary Nettie Sawatsky passed away Jan. 22 in Abbotsford, B.C., after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. She was born Dec. 17, 1929 to Abram and Aganetha Martens in Lena, Man. She accepted Christ at 13 and was baptized at 16. She was a teacher for many years in the Lena district. She was well-loved by her students for her patient and caring spirit. In 1965 she married Peter Sawatsky, a widower with 6 young children. She devoted her life to loving and raising her family. She supported Peter on the farm and loved tending her garden and growing flowers. In 1974 they started Sawatsky’s Jewellery, which they ran for 14 years in Killarney, Man. Here they made lasting friendships. She was active in Lakeview MB Church, serving as ladies’ fellowship president, Sunday school teacher and librarian for many years. In 1992 they bought a condo in Abbotsford, B.C., living there 6 months of the year and the other 6 months at Killarney Lake. They cherished new friends in B.C. and close friends in Manitoba. Her strength of character and steady faith in God sustained her through tough times. Predeceased by sons Lawrence in 1996 and Ron in 1999, she is mourned by Peter; daughters Cheryl Allan, Eileen Baerg, Myrna-Lynn Hildebrand and Adrienne Kroeker; 24 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Funeral services were held Jan. 26 in Central Heights MB Church, Abbotsford, and Jan. 28 in Lakeview MB Church, Killarney.
Jacob Doerksen
Jacob (Jake) Doerksen of Winnipeg, formerly of Winkler, Man., passed away Feb. 5 in Winnipeg. He was 73. Predeaceased by 1 brother, he is mourned by his wife of 50 years, Rosabel (Elias); daughter Glorianna St. Germain and son Brad, both of Winnipeg; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 3 brothers. The funeral was Feb. 10 in Grace Mennonite Church, Winkler, with Dale Dueck ministering.
Katie Janzen
Katie Janzen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Feb. 10. She was born Jan. 15, 1914 to Isaac and Sara Braun in Osterwick, Russia. In 1923 the family immigrated to Guernsey, Sask. Work on the farm was hard. She was unable to attend school beyond the elementary grades. She learned to speak and write English fluently by herself. She was a good speller. During her teens, she worked as a maid. They worshipped in homes but occasionally she got to ride to Philadelphia MB Church in Watrous, Sask. 25 miles away. She accepted Christ in this church during evangelistic services led by Abraham P. Nachtigal. She was baptized Aug. 22, 1933. She married John C. Janzen Mar. 22, 1936. They immediately moved to Sardis, B.C. In 1938 they started a small dairy farm in Yarrow, B.C. In 1945 they bought a 10-acre dairy farm. In 1946 they joined Yarrow MB Church. In 1956 they bought a larger dairy farm. In 1973 they retired from farming, moving closer to the church. John died May 30, 1985. In 1986 she moved to Evergreen Village in Clearbrook, B.C. She enjoyed reading, cooking, baking and crocheting. She attended Clearbrook MB Church and was happy to receive Bible studies over the radio intercom, but remained a member at Yarrow MB Church. Psalm 116:15 was marked in her Bible. She had “Home at last” engraved on the tombstone for her and John. She enjoyed good health until Jan. 8, 2000, when she entered the hospital. Predeceased by John, son Elmer in 1982, 4 brothers and 4 sisters, she is mourned by sons Marvin, Alvin, Ben and David, all of Yarrow, and Will of Abbotsford; daughter Eleanore Harder of Langley, B.C.; 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Feb. 16 in Yarrow MB Church, with Jim Nightingale ministering.
Elizabeth Nikkel
Elizabeth (Beth) Nikkel of Kelowna, B.C. passed away Mar. 2. She was born May 22, 1921 to Peter and Anna Nikkel in Klubnikov, Russia. In 1926 the family immigrated to Burwalde, Man. They moved to Coaldale, Alta. She lived there until her mother’s death, then moved to Lethbridge, Alta. After working in a doctor’s office in the 1940s, she trained as an x-ray and lab technician. She worked in the Lethbridge Galt and Coaldale Hospitals, Maple Creek, Sask., Kindersley, Sask., Picture Butte, Alta. and a medical clinic in Lethbridge. She also served a missions assignment in Haiti. For a time, she shared her home with several handicapped girls. She accepted Christ in her youth. She was baptized in Coaldale MB Church. She was an active church member wherever she attended, as treasurer, doing committee work and supporting various church programs and mission projects. She gave of herself unsparingly, reaching out to others needing help or encouragement. She overcame the challenges brought by a stroke. She had several surgeries. In 1989 she moved to Kelowna, where she again made many friends. She is mourned by sisters Tina Dueck and Helen Funk and brothers Jake and Henry. The funeral was Mar. 7 in Willow Park MB Church, Kelowna, with Arnie Peters and Mark Burch ministering.
Henry A. Berg
Henry A. Berg of Coaldale, Alta. passed away Mar. 2. He was born Dec. 4, 1909 to Abram and Katherina Berg in Orenburg #13, Russia. He accepted Christ in 1925 and was baptized in 1928. He married Agatha Krieger Jan. 13, 1935. During World War II, he and Agatha were separated for about 2 years. In 1948 they immigrated from Germany to Canada, joining relatives in Rosemary, Alta. They farmed in Rosemary and Gem, Alta. They retired to Coaldale in 1976. In 1996 they moved to Sunny South Lodge. He was a scholar at heart, loving to read and study. He and Agatha were deacons in Coaldale MB Church for 10 years, faithfully visiting the sick, elderly and lonely. He faithfully sought to show his family the way to God and, even in his final days, was concerned that all his family be prepared to meet the Lord. He and Agatha often sang together and fervently prayed for their family. Predeceased by sons Willy and John, 2 grandsons and 1 great-grandson, he is mourned by Agatha; children Abe of Gem, Henry of Winkler, Man., Victor of Three Hills, Alta., Agatha Pahl of Cochrane, Alta. and Agnes Ratzlaff and Kathy Enns, both of Coaldale; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Mar. 7 in Coaldale MB Church, with Lorne Willms and Rudy Heidebrecht ministering.
Muriel Donelda Hiebert
Muriel Donelda Hiebert of Grand Forks, B.C. passed away suddenly Feb. 10 due to a massive stroke. She was born Sept. 30, 1941 to Henry and Tina Miller in Carrot River, Sask. As a pre-schooler, she accepted Christ; at 16, she was baptized. She enjoyed her friends at school and kept contact with the other 12 students from her high school graduating class. She loved acting and anything involving music. She completed the first 2 years of nurses’ training at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, and her final year in 1964 at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, after her family moved to B.C. In October 1965, she married Abe Hiebert, her choir director. In 1970 they moved to Grand Forks. She worked as an RN for some years, but gave that up due to cardiac problems and to spend more time with her children. She wanted to use the spiritual gifts God had given her. She helped and prayer-partnered with the local Women’s Aglow and in Grand Forks Gospel Chapel, her home church. She loved to sing, participated in groups and wrote words to be used in worship songs. She led the children’s choir, baked cookies for camp, cleaned washrooms, led Bible studies for widows, single parents and others, and planned seminars and retreats for people with specific needs. During the last several years, she had a significant prayer walk with God and deeply touched many lives. Predeceased by son Sheridan, she is mourned by Abe; children Kendall of Grand Forks, B.C., Lamont of Connecticut and Donelda Clarke of Ladner, B.C.; 7 grandchildren; her parents and 3 sisters. The funeral was Feb. 14 in Grand Forks Gospel Chapel, with Henry Klassen and Rey Nickel ministering.
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© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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