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Lina Wohlgemuth
Lina Wohlgemuth passed away Apr. 26. She was born Mar. 16, 1912 to Hermann and Ida Heinrichs in Lansen, Poland. She accepted Christ in early childhood, was baptized and joined the Baptist church. At 21, she left home to learn to be a chef and businesswoman. She married Heinrich Wohlgemuth June 28. They established a successful bakery. Heinrich was conscripted into the army and went missing on the Russian front. She and her three young children fled west. They were overtaken by the Russian army. They hid in the forest. She lost her possessions, including her Bible and hymnbook. At Gansow, Mecklenburg, she found her father, sister and brother with their families. Later, she exchanged some butter for a Bible; this gave her strength and comfort. She and her children escaped out of the Russian zone into West Berlin without documents. After some time in Gronau, Westphalia, in 1949 she moved to Kitchener, Ont. She worked unceasingly for her children, first in Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital, then at Fashion Lane. Her husband’s mother and brothers and her brother-in-law helped where they could. She continued to hope she would see Heinrich again. In 1996 she learned that he had died shortly after the end of the war in Smolensk, Russia. Lina was an example of optimism, prayer and thankfulness. She was a faithful, active member of Kitchener MB Church. She worked tirelessly in the ladies’ group, made handcrafts for her children and grandchildren, travelled throughout the world in retirement and enjoyed times at Camp Crossroads with her friend Margarete Bachmann. Inseparable friends, they did good for the sick and needy. In 2000 she moved to Tabor Manor, St. Catharines, Ont. Predeceased by Heinrich, she is mourned by sons Horst and Rainer; daughter Gudrun Mathies; 8 grandchildren; and 6 sisters. The funeral was held in Kitchener MB Church, with Grant Gordon and John Wall ministering.
Carole Cloutier
Carole Cloutier passed away April 30. She was born in 1957. Stricken with Friedreich’s ataxia, a progressive disease of the nervous system, she was confined to a wheelchair from age 13. No cure or treatment has been found for the disease, which usually leads to death by age 30. She had ample time to reflect on life and death, and came to know Christ in March 1983. She recounted the adventure of the Christian life through writing poetry. Three years ago, she joined L’Église chrétienne de Ste-Thérèse (Que.). Although she could not attend church, she was visited regularly by pastor couple Robert and Rita Dagenais and Ginette Laurin Toupin.
Anne Penner
Anne Penner passed away Apr. 5 of cancer. She was born Aug. 4, 1925 to Abram and Maria Driediger in Slavgorod, Russia. When she was 4, the family immigrated to Germany for 6 months, they moved to Moore Park, Man. in 1930. They moved to Winnipeg 3 years later, after her father died. Her mother married George Rogalsky in 1935. The family moved to a farm in McAuley, Man. She excelled in school and became a teacher. She taught at McAuley, Woodlands, Rosenfeld, Winkler, Steinbach and Brandon, Man. In 1955 she went to Europe to do volunteer work for MCC. Returning to Canada in 1958, she earned a B.A. from United College in Winnipeg, then taught in Brandon. She married Art Penner in 1963. They farmed near Douglas, Man. She earned a B.Ed. They moved to Victoria. B.C. in 1988, came back to Brandon in 1994 and returned to Victoria in 1999. She is remembered as a kind, loving, devoted wife and mother and a dear friend. She loved her Lord and spent much time in Bible reading and prayer, especially during her illness. Predeceased by an infant brother, she is mourned by Art; daughter Charlotte Powell; 1 brother and 3 sisters. A memorial service was held Apr. 11 in First Memorial Funeral Chapel, Victoria, with Corinne Cameron ministering. The interment took place June 6 with a reception following at Justice (Man.) MB Church.
Lena Florence Klassen
Lena Florence Klassen passed away May 19. She was born Sept. 25, 1919 to Abram and Katherine Nikkel in Samara, Russia. The family immigrated to Canada in 1924. After 4 years in Crowfoot, Alta., they moved to British Columbia. She attended school, church and Sunday school in Yarrow, B.C. She was baptized in 1934 and joined the MB church. Her mother had died on the train trip to B.C., and her father died in 1936. She moved to the “Girls’ Home” in Vancouver and worked as a maid. In 1940 she married Jacob Klassen in Yarrow MB Church. They lived in Vancouver. In 1946 they moved to a small acreage in Greendale, B.C., where they joined Greendale MB Church. She was active in Sunday school and the ladies’ group and helped organize a nursery class. Her garden of fruit trees and berries provided work for the children and income for the family. Later, she and Jake moved to the mountains near Ryder Lake, B.C., then to Sardis, B.C. They travelled, and she enjoyed helping her grandchildren. In 1994 she and Jake moved to Clearbrook, B.C. and joined Clearbrook MB Church. Her faith in Jesus held strong. Predeceased by Jake in 1996 and a grandson, she is mourned by son Andrew; daughters Ingrid, Irma, Marianne Hartman, Madelene, and Nancy Warkentin; and 4 grandchildren. The funeral was May 24 in Clearbrook MB Church, with William E. Thiessen ministering.
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Last modified August 13, 2002.
© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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