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JACOB D. KLASSEN
Peacefully, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the age of 84, Jacob passed away at the Menno Home for the Aged in Grunthal, MB. He was born Feb. 25, 1923.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary. He is survived by his daughter Dora Ann (Douglas) Stokes of Jonesboro, Louisiana; son Lloyd (Martha) of Lorette, MB; grandchildren, Jocelyn Caskey (Sean) of West Monroe, Louisiana, Juliet Stokes of Pensacola, Florida, Michael Klassen of Calgary, AB, and Lana Klassen of Calgary, AB; one great-granddaughter Addyson Marie Caskey; four brothers and two sisters.
Jacob was a loving husband father and grandfather.
The funeral service will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel Thursday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. with interment at Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Menno Home Foundation, Box 280; Grunthal, MB, R0A 0R0.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Menno Home for the care and support during his time as a resident there.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.
FRANK P. PLETT
1910 — 2007
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1
Wednesday, Dec. 5 turned out to be our dad's special day, when at 5 a.m. he received his permission to leave for his eternal home. He had waited for this for many years. At 97 years old many of his family, friends and acquaintances had gone ahead of him.
On June 23, 1910 Dad was born to John and Margaret Plett in Giroux, MB, as the fourth child. In the years to come he had the privilege to be joined by another 17 siblings, making for a busy household.
At 22, he married Katherine Reimer, with whom he had nine children: Lottie (Pete Klassen), David (Sara), Lorena (Henry Dyck), Minna (LeRoy Scharfenberg), Lydia (Ed Reimer), Elbert (Paulette), Edna (John Pries), Betty (Jake Funk), Norman (Lorna).
At the time of his passing he left behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as a number of siblings: brother Cornie, sisters Helen, Annie, Katie, Bertha and her husband George Neufeld, brother-in-law Henry Koop and sisters-in-law Mary, Annie and Helen.
Dad was born into a farming family. He also pursued farming while living in Landmark and Willow Ridge, MB. To supplement his income, he drove truck and worked as a labourer in various places, often in Winnipeg. When after 35 years of marriage his wife passed away, he moved to Steinbach, where he later married Elizabeth Barkman. This marriage lasted 24 years. During this time, while semi-retired, Dad kept himself busy making many smaller toys in his woodwork shop. He also made many macrame hangers and covered coat hangers. Later he also made many fancy things with needles, such as embroidery and crocheting. His first wife taught Dad embroidery and the second wife crocheting. He made a few hundred scarves and afghans, many of which were given to his family members or visitors.
Dad's faith was not without some challenging experiences. He was baptized and joined the Prairie Rose Church and later switched to the Blumenort EMC. A caregiver in the Rest Haven Nursing Home asked Dad what he would prefer to have read to him, The Carillon or the Bible. His quick reply would be "The Bible" and that she should read slower so that he could understand it better.
Many people practised their gifts, talents, patience, kindness and deeds of service on him throughout his 97 years. Many were rewarded for becoming part of his life. Dad ministered to others in various ways and for many the memory will be the mouth organ music he produced up to a few months ago. A caregiver came to see Dad during his last days and she described him as follows: "He had a shell as tough as nails but inside he had a nature as soft as a marshmallow." Did we get to know this man fully?
Today, we believe, God is enjoying this new addition to Heaven and is introducing him to his new trouble free home. God has many great plans for this weary pilgrim who has come home. Now, having no opportunity to sin, or cause any hurts, he is ready to fully honour the King of kings. Now all relationships will be perfect. 1 John 3:1 is more clear and precious to him than ever before.
If Dad could have an opportunity to say a few more words to us as a large family, from his new address, he might be saying, "Don't follow me, because I was far from perfect, but follow the One who has forgiven me every sin and wrong doing. Please walk with God and soon we'll all walk with Him together over here. There is a lot of room here and everything is so beautiful and pleasant."
Dad was predeceased by his first wife, Katherine Reimer Plett; his second wife, Elizabeth Barkman Plett; son-in-law, LeRoy Scharfenberg; and grandson, Joe Beren.
A hearty thank-you to the great staff at the Rest Haven Nursing Home for the good care you gave to our dad during his last four years.
The family
The funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 10 at the Blumenort EMC Church.
ALBERT VIELFAURE
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather at the age of 84 on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007.
Albert was born in La Broquerie on April 6, 1923 where he resided all his life.
He was predeceased by his parents; his wife Solange in 2006, after 55 years of marriage; his brother Antonio in 2006; his brother Aime in 2003; his sister Louise in 1968; his brother Guy in 1963; and his beloved grandchild, Lynne, in 1992.
Albert's first love was his family. There was nothing he loved more than a family gathering where everybody was present and lively discussions went on. We were truly blessed to have had such a great dad. He leaves behind a legacy of wisdom, values and a wonderful life lived to the fullest.
His community was also of great concern and a priority to him. He participated in probably every community group that existed over his many years in La Broquerie. His interest in agriculture also lead him to many appointments in the field of agriculture, most noticeably the "National Farm Products Marketing Council" in Ottawa for 22 years and the Manitoba Hog Board for many years.
In 1979, Dad was named "Farmer of the Year" in Manitoba. He received the "Prix Riel" in 2001, was inducted in the Manitoba Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2002, received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2002, and was awarded the "Prix Entrepreneur" in 2003.
Dad also represented the constituency of La Verendrye in the Manitoba Legislature from 1962 to 1969.
Albert was a great traveller. He and Mom travelled intensely, visiting many continents. He always tried to learn more so he could help is fellow citizens with new techniques and methods in agriculture. His children will always remember the wonderful slide shows upon their return, which was an education in itself.
Albert was a devout Catholic and contributed generously to his faith and church.
Albert leaves to mourn his loss his five children: Jocelyne (George Burrow), Monique (John Mackenzie), Paul (Gisele Leclerc) and their five children, Miguel, Kristine, Chantal and her daughter Izabela, Sofie and fiancé Yvan, and Ghyslyn; his son Denis (Nicole Bonneville) and their three sons, Éric, Joel and Jérémie; and his son Claude (Barb Magnusson) and their sons Réjean and Alex. He also leaves behind a brother, Louis Vielfaure, White Father missionary for 40 years in Africa; his three sisters, Annette (J.A. Kirouac, deceased); Lina (J.B. Grégoire), and Florence (D. Torcutti) and sisters-in-law Hermine Freynet Vielfaure, wife of brother Antonio, and Florence Rocan Vielfaure, wife of Aime Vielfaure; and many nephews and nieces.
The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude towards everyone who gave Albert their thoughtful and loving care.
The mass of the resurrection will be held at St Joachim Catholic Church, 101 Principale St., La Broquerie on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. Prayers will be the evening before at 7:30 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Home, 357 Des Meurons St., Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or the St Boniface Hospital Research Foundation.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach.
ARTHUR GEORGE BARKMAN
July 18, 1932 — Dec. 11, 2007
At the age of 75, Art passed away peacefully in his sleep at Bethesda Place in Steinbach. Left to mourn his passing are wife Elizabeth (nee Loewen) of 51 years and seven children, daughter Joyce (John Sawatzky), son Bill (Nettie), son Norman, son Tim (Bernice), daughter Tina (Wayne Konowalchuk), son Vic, and son Joe (Laura), as well as 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also, Art will be missed by his three sisters and one brother, Dorothy (Pete Regehr), Florence Goertzen, Irene (John Martens), and Elmer (Helen). He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, two brothers, a brother-in-law, a son, and a granddaughter.
Art was born in Steinbach in 1932, the first child of Jacob and Minna Barkman. He married Elizabeth in Tilsenburg, Ontario in the summer of 1956. They moved back to Steinbach to start a family and Art made a living driving truck for various companies. Even in his last days he fondly remembered being behind the wheel. After a few years in the Steinbach area, the Barkman family moved to Northwestern Ontario, before returning in 1972, finally settling on Greenland Road.
Art enjoyed playing cards games with his children, especially cribbage. He always looked forward to the Granny's Poultry baseball tournament and he was an avid pool player.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Bethesda Place for all the extra attention Art received during his residence since July 2003. Great thanks also to Harry Schaap for his friendship and prayers during these final months.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14 at the Evangelical Mennonite church, Blumenort with interment at the Blumenort EMC Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Bethesda Foundation Chaplaincy Fund.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 346-1030 or 1-888-954-1030.
ARTHUR TOPNIK
Jan. 30, 1921 — Dec. 10, 2007
Peacefully Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, MB, our Dad, Arthur Topnik, passed away at the age of 86. He is survived by his daughters: Elaine Fingler, Remona Scarr of BC and Lorelei Topnik (Dave Iwanchysko); grandchildren Pam Fingler (fiancé Trevor Panchuk) of Stony Mountain, Dr. Jeffery Fingler of California, and Steven Scarr of BC; brother Gordon (Ruth) and in-laws Jake Sachvie, Henry Schultz, Elsie Topnik, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Lydia, wife Henrietta in September 2005, sisters Tillie, Rose, Olga, Lillie and brother Jake.
Dad was raised in Niverville and in Kleefeld, and moved to Steinbach in 1972.
Dad loved to fish and hunt, and did a lot of trapping. He loved his work with the Highways Department, where he retired from.
We would love to thank the wonderful staff at Bethesda Place, where he was loved and taken care of as a family member. We would also like to thank Dennis Verrier of Palliative Care for the time he spent with Dad and made him very happy.
A viewing will be held at Bethesda Place PCH, 399 Hospital Street, Steinbach, MB on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The funeral service will be held Friday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at the St Paul Lutheran Church, 465 Henry Street, Steinbach with interment at St John Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur's memory may be made to SEHA-Palliative Care Program Box 939, Steinbach, MB R5G 1A3, or to St Paul Lutheran Church Fund, Box 1618, Steinbach, MB R5G 1N3.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.
MARY WORONOWSKI (nee FRYKAS)
Oct. 10, 1914 — Dec. 10, 2007
Peacefully on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 Mary died at Calvary Place Care Home, which was her residence since October 2006, at the age of 93 years.
Remaining to forever cherish Mary's memory are her son, Walter (Virginia) Woronowski; daughter Jean (Jerry) Swenarchuk; six grandchildren, Peter (Marlene), Della, Jim (Diane), Bob (Deidre), Sean (Melanie), Tannis (Casey); seven great-grandchildren, Michael, Kristie, Colin, Kylie, Ceara, Sam, and Elliot; sisters, Nellie Romanetz, and Stella Manchur; brother, Ernie (Sylvia) Frykas; sister-in-law, Olga Frykas. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Peter July 7, 1983; son Victor Woronowski March 15, 1993; daughter Rose Lebedeff March 1, 1993; son-in-law Bill Lebedeff June 27, 1999; sister Anne Laduceur; brothers John, Steve, Harry, Sam and Walter Frykas; brothers-in-law; Mike Romanetz and Paul Manchur; and sister-in-law Stella Frykas.
Mary was born at Mink Creek, MB to Alex and Domka Frykas.
In compliance with Mary's wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Special thanks to the staff at Calvary Place Care Home for their competent care in every aspect for which Mom and the family are very grateful. Mom's neighbours at the La Broquerie farm made her life comforting when she was living alone-LeeAnne and Roger Gueret, Len and Debbie Broesky, Leslie and Vienna Bell, and the late Mrs. Stella Bachinski-we thank you.
Wojcik's All Beliefs and Faiths Funeral Chapel and Crematorium 897-4665.
PETER H. BARKMAN
1928—2007
Peter H. Barkman, formerly of Blumenort and Steinbach, MB passed away Sunday, Dec. 16 at the Menno Home for the Aged in Grunthal, MB at the age of 79 years.
Peter's employment took them to different places such as Riverton, Mennville, Morris and Dugald, MB. When work became too difficult Peter and Mary moved to Blumenort.
Peter was predeceased by his wife Mary in July 2006 and son Johnny in December 1991.
He is survived by two sisters, Anne Derksen of Steinbach, Betty of Altona, one brother Martin and his family of Winkler, MB.
Thank you to the staff at the Ste Anne Hospital and Menno Home who cared for and encouraged Peter. Thank you to all who prayed, cared for and visited Peter.
The funeral service for Peter was held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Thursday, Dec. 20 with interment at the Blumenort EMC Cemetery.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.
KATERINA (TINA) DERKSEN
Peacefully Monday, Dec. 31, 2007 at Rest Haven Nursing Home, Katerina (Tina) Derksen, aged 88, of Steinbach, MB, went on to her eternal home.
Left to cherish her memory are her children Helene Funk (Jake), Ed, Frieda, Barb Hiebert (Henry), Bryan (Debra), Ken (Nicole), 10 grandchildren and their families, one brother, John, one sister, Eva Falk and three sisters-in-law. She was predeceased by a son in infancy, by her first husband Peter (Doerksen) in 1984, and her second husband, Peter (Derksen) in 2002. She was also predeceased by three brothers and two sisters.
She will also be remembered by Peter (Derksen)'s family: Rufus (Marti), Don (Doreen), Lydia Dyck, Rudy (Kim), Esther (Cornie) Dueck and their families.
Viewing will be held Friday, Jan. 4 at the Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach from 7 to 9 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 5 at 1:30 p.m. CMC Church, 99 First Street South, Niverville, MB.
Our thanks to the staff at the Rest Haven Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to our mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Sunday School Mission—Gimli Bible Camp, Box 1579, Gimli, MB, R0C 1B0.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.
SARA DOERKSEN
Accidentally on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, Sara Doerksen, age 73, beloved wife of Henry Doerksen went to her eternal rest.
Mom was born in Hague, SK, on May 12, 1934 to Ben and Anna Schmidt. She shared the spotlight of that event with her twin sister, Tina. Mom lived in the Hague area until the age of 14 when the family moved to Paraguay where they lived for about eight months after which time they returned to Canada and settled in the Steinbach area. Mom along with her sisters worked at the St Pierre sewing factory.
She married Henry Doerksen on July 20, 1952. Together they worked on their farm in the Niverville area. At first it consisted of mixed farming and now in the past number of years they have been grain farming. Mom and dad have worked very hard on their farm doing many things together, side by side. They always had a very large garden in which she grew many different vegetables, supplying her family and friends with beans, peas and cucumbers all of which were in great abundance, much more than she could ever use.
Mom was very active in her home church and also loved volunteering at the MCC Thrift Store. Mom was known for her special talent in knitting, crocheting, tatting and sewing. Every Christmas each grandchild got a special tree ornament crocheted by grandma. She also made them jean blankets and pillows, baby shawls and spent much time mending and hemming jeans. When mom and dad came to visit us children she never arrived empty handed. She knew what our favourites were and came loaded down with all sorts of goodies, buns, bread, borscht, cookies, pickles, homemade noodles, etc.
Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her passing, her four children and 18 grandchildren, Clara and Melvin Hiebert and son Robert, of Winnipeg, MB; Ken and Ruby Doerksen, and children Jessica, Christopher, Joshua, Rebecca, Johannes, Nathanael, Jonathon and Priscilla of Abbotsford, BC; Marge and James Loewen, and children Kristin and Harrison of Winkler, MB; Jacob and Marina Doerksen, and children Lianna, Whitney, Joseph, Simon, Noah, Elizabeth and Isaac of Niverville, MB; her sisters, Anne Peters, Mary and Jake Koop, twin sister Tina and Jake Friesen, Eve and Rudy Unrau and sister-in-law Gerda Schmidt.
She was predeceased by her parents Ben and Anna Schmidt, brother George Schmidt, sister Helen Klippenstein, brothers-in-law Henry Klippenstein and Henry Peters.
The funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 at the Niverville CMC Church with Rev. Jac Doerksen officiating. Interment followed at the Hespeler Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Back to the Bible Broadcast, Box 10, Winnipeg, MB or to Gospel of Asia, 245 King Street E., Stoney Creek, ON. L8G 1L9.
Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.
