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Lydia Thiessen
Lydia Thiessen of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away May 14. She was born Apr. 17, 1917 to Peter and Maria Lodde in Apanlee, south Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1925. She accepted Christ at 11 and was baptized in August 1937, joining Port Rowan (Ont.) MB Church. Daily Bible reading and prayer were part of her life. In 1938 she married Isaac Thiessen. They lived on various farms near Port Rowan, where she worked hard alongside Isaac. In retirement, they built a new house and enjoyed entertaining family, friends and church guest speakers. A series of health problems forced them to move to Tabor Manor, St. Catharines. She faithfully cared for Isaac until his death. She remained faithful to her Heavenly Father. 1 Corinthians 13:13, the verse given to her at her wedding, remained her motto. Predeceased by Isaac and a grandson, she is mourned by children Erika Klassen, Elsbeth Teigrob and Peter; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 1 sister. The funeral was May 16 in Port Rowan MB Church, with Sandy Young ministering.
Teenie Goossen
Teenie Goossen passed away June 20. She was born Aug. 30, 1916 to Peter and Katherine Braun in Altona, Man. She married Henry Goossen in 1942; they moved to Yarrow, B.C., then to Chilliwack, B.C. in 1958. She amused her family with tales of growing up in Manitoba. She was passionate about her family. She was a devoted homemaker, an avid gardener, cook and seamstress and made many ceramic items. She was active with community groups, such as the Mentally Handicapped Association, and with a ladies’ group at her home church. She worked for 12 years on the wards and in the kitchen at Eden Rest Home. Retiring in 1984, she enjoyed travelling to visit her siblings in Manitoba and taking sightseeing bus trips with friends. She treasured close friends, spending many happy hours with them, visiting, shopping, attending concerts and playing games. She moved to Menno Home in 1998. Since January 2001, she had 3 operations after falls. She is remembered as a strong person who adjusted well to the many difficulties that came to her. She was a people person, friendly, talkative and caring. Predeceased by Henry in 1970, son Alvin in 1973 and daughter Gracie in 1980, 3 brothers and 3 sisters, she is mourned by daughter Gloria Baker; 4 grandchildren; 4 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was June 27 in Broadway MB Church, Chilliwack, with Robert Friesen and Charlotte Church ministering.
Abe Martens
Abe Martens of Prince Albert, Sask. passed away June 5. He was born July 4, 1912 to Peter and Elizabeth Martens in Plum Coulee, Man. When he was 2, the family moved to Rosthern, Sask. He grew up in the Nitchlova district, where he learned Ukrainian and English. In early adulthood, he visited his aunt and uncle Groening at Lowe Farm, Man., where he committed his life to God. He homesteaded at Dorintosh, Sask. for a year, then returned to Rosthern. In 1939 he married Sue; they farmed, beginning with a pig, a cow and little money. They moved to a farm near Prince Albert. He was always looking for bigger machinery to use on his fields. When Sue’s mental capabilities dwindled, he found new talents in jam making, cooking and nursing. When she moved to Rosthern Nursing Home, he moved to a trailer nearby. When Sue died, he was lost for several years. In 1989 he married Laura Willems and moved to Waldheim, Sask. He spent the last 3 years at Bacheldor Care Home in Prince Albert. Predeceased by Sue, he is mourned by Laura; daughters Elizabeth McLean and Rosemary Tudor; 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. The funeral was June 8 in Waldheim MB Church, with Clarence Peters ministering.
Peter J. Klassen
Peter J. Klassen passed away suddenly June 10 of a heart attack suffered during the 11 a.m. service at Clearbrook MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born Aug. 29, 1941 to Jacob and Tina Klassen in New Hamburg, Ont. He loved reading books and was always serious about learning. One night when he was 11, his mother led him to the Lord after he came under a strong conviction that if Jesus would come, he would be lost. He attended Eden Christian College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., 1955–59. After completing grade 13 at Waterloo (Ont.) Oxford Secondary School, he studied at MB Bible School in Kitchener, Ont. for 2 years. Feeling a call to full-time ministry, he studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg 1962–65, earning a B.Th. The following summer, he joined the MBBC deputation quartet, travelling across Western Canada for 7 weeks as a preacher. He married Betty Toews Aug. 12, 1966 in Yarrow (B.C.) MB Church. Their life motto was 2 Corinthians 4:5. He pastored Christian Fellowship Chapel in Orillia, Ont. 1967–81, then earned an M.Div. in homiletics from Ontario Theological Seminary in Toronto. He pastored Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, Sask. for 8 years. In 1991 he began pastoring Virgil (Ont.) MB Church, which later became Cornerstone Community Church. In October 1999, he and Betty began pastoring Clearbrook MB Church. Over the years, the family had many special times together, including camping, a houseboat trip, summer trips to visit relatives, travelling across Canada and reading the Bible. In 1996 he and his father, 86, travelled to Russia and Siberia. Peter loved the church and always took time to listen and offer encouragement to those hurting and discouraged. His life proclaimed God’s message of wisdom, encouragement and grace. He is mourned by Betty; son Jon; daughter Becky; his father; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was June 15 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld, Eldon DeFehr, Wilmer Kornelson and Ike Bergen ministering.
Erna Krause
Erna Krause of St. Catharines, Ont. passed away June 10. She was born Apr. 11, 1928 to John and Marie Ens in Hague, Sask. She accepted Christ at 12 and was baptized June 22, 1947. She was involved in the youth group and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She married Dan Krause Dec. 28, 1950. They moved to St. Catharines in 1951. She was a dedicated wife and mother, giving 100% to her family. She always cooked and baked their favourites and sewed their clothes. Visitors were invariably offered a full-course meal. She was involved in many church activities, including serving as Sunday school teacher and superintendent for many years. Her faith was lived out in simple, strong and unwavering ways, which she showed to the children she taught. Later, she served on the church’s kitchen committee, doing banquets, funerals and weddings. She was head cook at Camp Crossroads for many years. She lived by 1 Corinthians 15:58. In October 2000, she fell ill to cancer, but retained a positive spirit and a ready smile for everyone. She is mourned by Dan; son Gordon; daughter Janice McLenaghan; 2 grandchildren; 1 sister and 1 brother. The funeral was June 14 in Grantham MB Church, St. Catharines, with John Wiebe ministering.
Martha Starra
Martha Starra of Kitchener, Ont. passed away June 12. She was born Mar. 31, 1910 to Gottlieb and Auguste Fangrath in Nagath, West Prussia, the 6th of 10 children. After World War I, the family fled to Goldap, East Prussia for 10 years and then moved to Gehlweiden. She accepted Christ in her early youth, was baptized and joined the Baptist church where her father was choirmaster. She and her siblings each played at least 1 instrument, and as a family, they contributed much to the music in their church and other churches. She married Heinrich Franz Starra June 3, 1932. In 1939 he was drafted into the German army. They covenanted to pray for each other at the same time each day. In 1944 she fled with her children to Hanover, then to Heilsberg in West Germany. In 1946 she was reunited with Heinrich. They immigrated to Stratford, Ont. in 1951, then moved to Kitchener, Ont. In 1953, Heinrich, son Vern and daughter Irene were baptized and, together with Martha, joined Kitchener MB Church. Heinrich died in 1980. She remained active in church, enjoyed many good times at Camp Crossroads, was hospitable and enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She baked rye bread until a year before she became ill. Predeceased by Heinrich, daughter Hildegard Uloth and 6 siblings, she is mourned by children Elsbeth Krauck, Vern, and Irene Huebner; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 1 brother and 2 sisters. The funeral was in Kitchener MB Church, with Grant Gordon and John Wall ministering.
Timothy Jordan Ratzlaff
Timothy Jordan Ratzlaff of Quesnel, B.C. passed away suddenly Mar. 17 due to a car accident near Hixon, B.C. He was born Mar. 24, 1993 to Keldon and Melanie Ratzlaff in Abbotsford, B.C. He was enthusiastic for life and had a captivating smile, a sense of comedy, affection for others and a desire to do well. His passion was soccer; he also enjoyed skating and biking. His faith was evident in his life. He enjoyed the “Kids of the Kingdom” program at Northstar Baptist Church, Quesnel. He accepted Christ at 5. He insisted on having his bedtime prayer each night. He is mourned by his parents; brothers John and Jairus; sister Julia; grandparents Abe and Helen Ratzlaff of Quesnel and Cornie and Myrna Braun of Beechy, Sask.; and great-grandmothers Ada Law and Elizabeth Ratzlaff. The funeral was Mar. 24 in Northstar Baptist Church, with Randy Evans ministering.
George Henry Neufeld
George Henry Neufeld of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away June 19. He was born Feb. 27, 1911 to Henry and Sara Neufeld in Village No. 6, Arkadak, Russia, the 3rd of 10 children. In the late 1920s, the family immigrated to Holmfield, Man. At 25, he jumped on a train heading west, eventually finding work growing sugar beets in Turin, Alta. He married Lydia Dyck Nov. 7, 1937. They settled near Turin, where they rented land and purchased one of the first tractors, doing custom work for other farmers. In 1943 they moved to the Abbotsford area, eventually settling on an 80-acre farm near Matsqui, B.C. They continued farming aggressively in dairy, berries and eggs. In 1973 they retired to a new home they built. He continued to raise beef cattle, then horses. Lydia died in 1986 of a heart attack. He married Katherine Stobbe Mar. 5, 1988. They continued to live near Mt. Lehman, B.C. Predeceased by Lydia, he is mourned by Katherine; sons Neil, John and Alvin, all of Abbotsford; daughters Elsie Thiessen of Kamloops, B.C., Dora Penner of Keremeos, B.C., Lynne Darville of the Bahamas and Ruth Gillies of Abbotsford; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. The funeral was June 26 in Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford, with Ross Johnston and Michael Dick ministering.
John Woodland
John Woodland of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away June 17 after a long battle with cancer. He was born Sept. 7, 1924 to Homer and Louise Woodland in Burbank, Calif., the 2nd of 4 sons. After finishing high school in Van Nuys, Calif., he entered Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola) in 1943. His studies were interrupted for 2 1/2 years due to conscription. He graduated from Biola in 1949. He married Lydia, a classmate, in October 1949. They prepared for a career of mission service in India with TEAM, but health problems and visa refusals would not allow them to serve. He became a teacher in 1957, teaching junior high math and science in Chico, Calif. In 1964, after studying a year at the University of Arkansas, he moved his family to Abbotsford and joined the faculty at Trinity Junior College (now Trinity Western University), where he taught for over 20 years. He is remembered for his poetry, including “The Epic of Easter”, a poem about the Passion Week, written while he was stationed in Europe after the war. In his retirement, he continued to write serious and humorous poems, many of which were published, most recently in the collection Poems for Saints and Sinners, his third book of poetry, in October 2000. He was a life-long student of the Bible, reading through it in 5 languages. He taught a seniors’ Bible class at Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford for many years, until cancer kept him housebound. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 1997; surgery in January 1998 was successful, but cancer returned 2 years later and was deemed inoperable. He lived his final 3 months in Menno Hospital, cheerful and uncomplaining to the end. He is mourned by Lydia; children Rebecca Hawley of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mary Balzer of Abbotsford, Dan of Miami and Andy of Abbotsford; 8 grandchildren; and 3 brothers. A memorial service was held June 22 in Central Heights MB Church, with Chris Douglas and Henry Wiebe ministering.
Mary Friesen
Mary Friesen of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away June 2. She was born July 15, 1913 to Peter and Elizabeth Giesbrecht in Wohldemfuerst, Kuban, Russia. The family immigrated to Chihuahua, Mexico in 1924 and to Nelson, B.C. in 1927. In 1928 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where Mary worked in the hop yards. She later served as a nanny to 3 children in the Ord family. At 15, she found assurance of salvation based on John 3:16. She was baptized July 6, 1930 in a river near Yarrow. She enjoyed singing in the church choir. She married Abe Friesen Oct. 7, 1934. She was involved with the church’s ladies’ groups, MCC, the Red Cross and the Golden Age Society. Abe died June 29, 1976. She kept busy with her work with the church, the Red Cross and MCC. She moved to Menno Terrace for 2 1/2 years and to Menno Home for her last 4 months. Predeceased by Abe, 1 brother and 2 sisters, she is mourned by children Art, John, Ed and Marlene; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers and 3 sisters. The funeral was June 7 in Bakerview MB Church, with Rudy Willms and Michael Dick ministering.
Anne Rose Wiebe
Anne Rose Wiebe of Kelowna, B.C. passed away Feb. 26. She was born Aug. 26, 1919 to Frank B. and Helen Penner near Altona, Man. The family attended Rudnerweide Church. Anne completed grade 6, then was needed for work at home and in the field, cutting grain and stooking sheaves during harvest. She also learned to cook, bake, sew and clean. When she was 12, she read “Whiter Than Snow”, a story containing Isaiah 1:18, which led her to accept Christ. While a teen, she experienced pain in her legs due to rheumatic fever. She attended Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church, which had a Sunday school and choir. She studied at Winkler (Man.) Bible School for 1 year, then worked as a maid for the Jakob J. Wiebe family near Manitou, Man. for 2 years. She married Jakob’s son Jake Nov. 3, 1945. They lived on a nearby farm for 40 years. She was always baking, sewing, cooking, gardening and canning for her family. At harvest, she brought dinners and lunches out to the field. She was active in Manitou MB Church, sewing for MCC, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school and serving meals. She was a loyal wife and always an encouragement to her family. She never passed up an opportunity to talk about her Lord, invite someone for a meal or help a neighbour. She lived her life to love those around her in the best way she could. She prayed regularly for those whom the Lord had laid on her heart and kept in touch with them as much as possible. They moved to Penticton, B.C. in 1984 and to Kelowna in 1987. In 1990 she began to show signs of Parkinson’s. In 1995 she moved to Cottonwoods Personal Care Home, since Jake couldn’t take care of her any more. Jake died Dec. 21, 1999. Her son Tom and his wife Carol Anne lived in Kelowna most of the year to visit her daily and care for her needs. Predeceased by Jake, 2 sisters and a brother, she is mourned by children Eunice Seney of Leamington, Ont.; Herbert of Dacca, Bangladesh, Magdalene of Los Angeles, Daniel of La Riviere, Man., and Thomas of La Riviere; and 11 grandchildren. The funeral was at Willow Park MB Church, Kelowna, with Arnie Peters ministering.
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Last modified August 22, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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