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In this section:
Jacob Anton Loewen
Jacob Anton Loewen of Sardis, B.C. passed away Mar. 6. He was born Mar. 1, 1910 in Ukraine, the only child of Anton and Marie Loewen. In the 1920s the family immigrated to Canada via Mexico, settling in Saskatchewan. He married Edith Heinrichs in 1936. In 1946 they moved to farm in Matsqui, B.C. with his father. They retired from farming in 1977, first moving into Matsqui, then to Sardis in 1994. He was a man of integrity who loved life. He left reluctantly, but with no regrets. Nothing was more important to him than relationships. He was a spiritual man, who had accepted God’s love for him and offered unconditional acceptance, tolerance and love to others. He had a wonderful ability to listen with his heart. Family gatherings brought him much joy. He was an avid reader, enjoying a wide variety of books, and had a deep understanding of history and politics. He had a love for creation, appreciating the beauty of mountains, night skies, thunderstorms, flowers and birds. He was a thoughtful, gracious man and accepted help as his body weakened. He was cared for at home by his family in his dying days. Predeceased by Edith in 1997 and a great-granddaughter, he is mourned by 9 children; 10 children-in-law; 32 grandchildren; 10 grandchildren-in-law and 18 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Mar.10 in Sardis Community Church, with Graeme Isbister and Paulla Loewen ministering.
George Albert Hipperson
George Albert Hipperson passed away May 1 at age 89. He is mourned by his wife Marie of 62 years; daughters Jackie Wynychuck and Judy Ashton; 1 granddaughter; 1 great-granddaughter; and 2 brothers. The funeral was May 4 in Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil, Ont.
Mary Martens
Mary Martens of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Apr. 16. She was born Sept. 21, 1915 to Heinrich and Sarah Neufeld in Arkadak, Russia. After leaving Russia, the family spent some time in Germany and then came to Holmfield, Man. June 24, 1930. She went to school for a short time, then helped at home and on the farm. At 15, she went to work as a housekeeper in Winnipeg. She was baptized in September 1935 by C. Huber in Winnipeg. She attended Winkler (Man.) Bible School 1939-40. She married John J. Martens July 20, 1941 in Holmfield. They first lived in Winnipeg and then in various places, including Vancouver, Arnold, B.C., Richmond, B.C., Burdett, Alta., Calgary and Abbotsford. She stayed at home, caring for her children, but later in life worked as kitchen and housekeeping staff at Foothills Hospital in Calgary and then Pearson Hospital in Vancouver until retirement. On Nov. 30, 1969, they joined Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. In retirement, they moved to Evergreen Village. They travelled and visited children. After John died in 1992, she lived on her own for 7 years, then moved successively to Bevan Lodge, Menno Home and Menno Hospital. A special verse was 2 Corinthians 12:9. Predeceased by John, she is mourned by daughters Linda Rempel of Calgary, Leona Willms of Chilliwack, B.C. and Viola Schierling and Irene Doerksen, both of Abbotsford; sons Ed of Carstairs, Alta., Ernie of Calgary, Art of Carstairs and Bill and Walter, both of Calgary; 32 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 6 brothers and 2 sisters. A memorial service was held Apr. 20 in Bakerview MB Church, with Michael Dick and Wilmer Kornelson ministering.
Katie Huebert
Katie (Katharina) Huebert of Winnipeg passed away Apr. 29 at Donwood Manor Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 12, 1909 to Johann and Gertrude Willms in Hierschau, Molotschna, Ukraine. Her father died in 1914. In 1924, she nearly died of malaria. Her mother died that year. The children immigrated to Rosthern, Sask. in 1926, later moving to Namaka, Alta., where her brother Johann had bought a farm. After a year, the house burned down while they were at church; they lost everything. She and her sisters did domestic work on surrounding farms and later in Calgary. She attended evenings school to learn English. At 20, she accepted Christ and was baptized. Attending Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School gave her life new direction and purpose. On Oct. 26, 1933, she married Gerhard Huebert, a student at Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute. Their first place of service was at Gem (Alta.) Bible School. Gerhard then taught or studied at various schools: Toronto Baptist Seminary, Bethany Bible Institute, Tabor College, Northwestern Schools, MB Bible College and Winkler Bible Institute. Katie took Bible or Bible-related courses. She loved the Lord and His work. She tried to support Gerhard in any way she could. Besides managing the household, she spent many hours typing Gerhard’s papers and theses in triplicate. Their last place of ministry was Central MB Church, Winnipeg, where Gerhard pastored 1970-74. With Gerhard’s increasing disability in the late 1970s, Katie spent a lot of time caring for him. He died in 1981. She taught Sunday school for many years, taught German school, led ladies’ groups, had a number of articles published describing the function of women’s groups, and led a Bible study group in her apartment block in her later years. She had a strong, dynamic faith, bolstered by unceasing prayer and avid Bible reading. She was concerned about the progress and welfare of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Predeceased by Gerhard, she is mourned by sons Helmut, Walter and Arthur; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 2 at Portage Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, with Claude Pratte and John Unger ministering.
Peter P. Janzen
Peter P. Janzen of Watrous, Sask. passed away Apr. 27. He was born May 17, 1907 to Peter and Katarina Janzen in Friedensruh, Russia. He received his public and high school education in Friedensruh and 2 years of college in Alexanderkrone. In 1926 the family immigrated to Saskatoon. After 3 months, his parents bought a farm near Venn, Sask. At 26, he realized his need of God’s grace, accepting Jesus in simple faith; he continued to trust Him throughout his life. In 1936 he was baptized and joined Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous. He was a faithful, active member who served as treasurer for 9 years. He married Nettie Esau Dec. 1, 1935. They lived in British Columbia for a year. They returned to Venn, where they farmed for 5 years. In 1941 they bought a farm near Watrous, where they lived for 6 years. He served as councillor for the R.M. of Usborne for 6 years. During the last 24 years of farming, they lived on another farm near Watrous. In 1971 they retired to Watrous. They enjoyed travelling, visiting family and friends and wintering in Mesa, Ariz. He kept busy keeping his lawn green, tinkering in his garage and playing pool and golf with friends. He is remembered for his hard work, sociability and spunk. Predeceased by Nettie, a brother and 2 sisters, he is mourned by children Agnes Ens of Watrous, Lil Siemens of Saskatoon, Viola Wiebe of Calgary, Don of Westlock, Alta. and Gordon and Ed, both of Watrous; 18 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. The funeral was Apr. 30 in Philadelphia MB Church, with Darren Holland and Ernie Bergen ministering.
Helen Reimer
Helen Reimer of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 6. She was born Oct. 2, 1907 to Aron and Katherine Dyck in Kuban, Russia. In 1924 she immigrated to Tofield, Alta. with her widowed mother and siblings. After a year of farm work, she found work in Winnipeg. Here she accepted Christ and was baptized under the ministry of C.N. Hiebert. In 1930 she married John Reimer. They farmed in Humbolt, Sask. In 1935 they moved to British Columbia, where John worked as a carpenter/farmer. The early years were difficult because of John’s poor health. She was ingenious and thrifty. Even in the midst of trials, she would sing songs of praise to God. She and John did volunteer work for MCC and worked on building projects for missions and camps. They faithfully served with the church catering committee for many years. She had a heart for others, giving generously to those in need, whether it was a neighbour or someone overseas. She was concerned about reaching others for Christ, praying and giving to those in Bible schools and children’s camps. Her last 8 years were spent in Menno Hospital. Predeceased by John in 1986, daughter Ruth in 1935, son Ruben in 1995, 2 sisters and 1 brother, she is mourned by children John, Dan, Mary Stevens, Alvin, Hilda Falk and Leona Davidson; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was Mar. 10 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with John E. Klassen ministering.
William Wiebe
William Wiebe of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 12. He was born May 14, 1912 to Johan and Anna Wiebe in Millerovo, Russia. When William was 7, his father died of typhus. In 1925 the family (mother and 3 children) immigrated to Manitoba. Later they moved to Kronsgart, where his mother married John B. Friesen in 1926. William accepted Christ at 19, was baptized July 12, 1931 and joined the MB church. He spent the next 15 years working on various farms before moving to British Columbia. He married Gertrude Peters in Kronsgart Sept. 10, 1939. He worked on a farm in Richmond, B.C. milking 30 cows. They then moved to Clearbrook, B.C., where he began a poultry farm. In the late 1940s, he also drove a sawdust truck and worked in the hop yards. He drove school bus for 25 years. In the 1960s, he worked for a parcel service. He drove a bus carrying adults with disabilities to Wildwood School. The family made trips to Manitoba to visit friends and enjoyed picnics in Sumas. He enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandsons. He was a charter member of Clearbrook MB Church, and for a while services were held at their home. He was an usher till 1995. He was a prayer warrior and was not ashamed to share his faith with others. He prayed daily for his children and grandchildren, especially for their salvation. He loved music and enjoyed singing hymns. He had a great sense of humour. He had several strokes and spent his last years in Menno Hospital. He is mourned by Trudy; children Betty Schmidt, Ed, Harry and Richard; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters and 1 brother. The memorial service was held Mar. 17 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld ministering.
Tena Redekopp
Tena Redekopp of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 26. She was born Jan. 30, 1909 to Cornelius and Katharina Warkentin in Steinfeld, Ukraine. In 1925 the family immigrated to Borden, Sask., her parents and 4 children being detained in England for sometime for health reasons. She started working at 15. She taught herself English by reading newspapers and doing crossword puzzles. She married Peter Scott May 29, 1930 in Killarney, Man. In 1938 Peter died, leaving her to raise 4 children. In June 1941 she married Peter Redekopp. They settled in Mission, B.C. They had 2 children. Peter died in 1986. In 1988 she completed a book about her life, Another World. After Peter’s death in 1986, she moved to a condo at Evergreen Village and then to Vancouver Island. She became known as the “birthday lady”, mailing birthday, get-well and missed-you cards to Sunday school children. In 1993 she moved to Menno Pavilion in Abbotsford. Throughout her life, she crocheted, knitted and tatted items. Churches, MCC, family and friends received doilies, blankets, tablecloths, baby blankets, lap blankets and other items. Each grandchild received an afghan. She made friends wherever she lived. Predeceased by 2 husbands and son John in 1998, she is mourned by children Peter, Donald, Lucie, Susan and Henry; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers and 4 sisters. The memorial service was held Mar. 30 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Peter J. Klassen and George Janzen ministering.
Abraham Jakob Friesen
Abraham Jakob Friesen passed away Apr. 11. He was born Aug. 31, 1907 to Jakob P. and Maria Friesen in Tokuschie, Siberia, the 9th of 12 children. He grew up in a Christian home where Bible reading and prayer were a daily practice. His father died when Abraham was 14. In 1922 he went to Slavgorod to learn shoemaking. He started his own shoemaking business in 1925. In 1926 the family immigrated to Canada. In 1927 he accepted Christ. He worked on a farm during the Depression. After his mother died in 1934, he started a shoe repair business in East Kildonan, Winnipeg. He married Katharina Martens Dec. 21, 1941. He was a conscientious objector during World War II, serving 6 months of hard labour at Headingly Jail, working on a farm in Manitoba till 1944 and then serving at the Poplar River Indian Mission run by the United Church of Canada. In 1946 he returned to Winnipeg and took up the building and bricklaying trades. In 1949 they moved to Clearbrook, where he opened a shoe repair shop, later expanding this to selling shoes. He was invited to preach in Clearbrook MB Church on Easter Monday 1950. He was ordained for the ministry in 1953 and served as associate pastor 1954-62. In 1961 they became house parents and administrators of Tabor Home, serving until 1975. In 1971 he took up oil painting and reflexology massage. During the following 20 years, he gave over 10,000 reflexology treatments, which sometimes included counselling and prayer. On his day off, he painted; he had 3-4 exhibitions a year. Katie died in August 1991. Nine months later, he married Martha Loewen. In 1985 he wrote his life story, God’s Hand Upon My Life. He was looking forward to meeting his Saviour. Predeceased by Katie, he is mourned by Martha; daughters Betty Falk and Renetta Neumann; stepchildren Charles, Marjorie Toftager, Evelyn Neufeldt and Karen Bergen; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 14 stepgrandchildren and 4 stepgreat-grandchildren.
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Last modified June 16, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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