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Anna Poetker (nee Klassen)
1914 – 2003
Our loving mother and grandmother, Anna Poetker, was born March 19, 1914 and went to meet her Lord on June 14, 2003 at the age of 89. She was born in Ohrenburg, Ukraine and emigrated to Canada with her parents Gerhard and Agatha Klassen in 1926 together with one sister and three brothers while three sisters and one brother stayed behind.
Under the sponsorship of Canadian Pacific Railways, they boarded a ship in 1926 named the Empress of France, and landed three weeks later in Halifax, Canada. From Halifax they traveled to Dundurn, Saskatchewan by train where the first winter was spent in a sod house. After a crop failure in the second year, the family relocated to Reesor, Ontario where logging became their source of income.
After a number of years in Reesor the family relocated to the Steinbach area where Anna spent most of her life. As a mid teen, Anna began to contribute financially to the family needs by working as a nanny and housekeeper in Winnipeg for several years. During that time she developed many long lasting relationships.
In 1938 Anna married Jacob Poetker and worked together on the family farm near Steinbach, raising their 11 children. In 1991 they sold the farm and moved to Steinbach and shortly after that Jacob could no longer care for Anna’s daily needs as the effects of Alzheimer’s disease eroded her ability to function independently.
In January 1992 Anna was admitted to the Bethesda Personal Care Home where the staff lovingly cared for her until she passed away. She was predeceased by her husband Jacob Poetker in 1995, and two children Mary and Eleanor in infancy. She is survived by her children Helen Christoffersen (Monty), Art (Sadie), Frieda Fast (Dennis), Jake (Dorothy), Irene Rochon (Don), Peter, Ben (Darlene), Betty Osborne (Reg), Edith Huskins (Kohler), Irma Esau (Brian), Phil (Heidi), 25 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother John (Sarah) and her sister Susie Penner.
Anna’s hospitality and generosity was extended to all those who entered her home and her children and grandchildren stand up and call her blessed because she devoted her life to caring for them unselfishly. She is now in the arms of Jesus and enjoying fellowship with those who have gone before.
We thank the staff at Bethesda Personal Care Home for their kind and affectionate attention to her daily needs throughout the 11 years of her residency there.
The Funeral Service was held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. Interment at Heritage Cemetery.
If friends so desire donations in memory of Anna, may be made to Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Wpg., MB R3T 5K9 or Back to the Bible, Box 10, Wpg. MB R3C 2G2
JOHN P. FRIESEN
John P. Friesen, (also known as “Champion”) passed away peacefully, with his family at his side at the Bethesda Hospital on June 15, 2003. He was born February 25, 1920 at Kronsweide, to Peter W. and Suzanna Friesen. He learned the blacksmith trade, from his father, at an early age. He was baptized, upon confession of his faith and then attended the Elim Bible School for two years while in his early twenties. He was married to Mary Falk on June 27, 1948 and they were blessed with six daughters.
He was predeceased by his parents, five sisters and four brothers, his first wife Mary, and daughter Sarah Rachel. He is survived by his loving wife Wilma, of almost seventeen years, his daughters Katy (Pete) Friesen of Wetaskiwin, AB, Judith (Ben) Esau of Norval, ON, Rebecca (J. Neil) Friesen of Steinbach, MB, Leah (Willie) Friesen of Grunthal, MB. and Eunice (Willie) Stewart of Winnipeg, MB, twenty grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He began his career with Johnny’s Garage located in Lowe Farm. In 1965 they moved to Grunthal where he established his well-known business “Champion Auto and Machine Shop” which was continuously active till 1997. It was there that he satisfied many customers and made countless friends.
His first wife predeceased him in 1981. He was married to Wilma Stobbe, on June 9, 1986. In the interim, he filled his extra time by starting a mobile “brooms and brushes” sales business which he used to distribute “Back to the Bible” Christian literature.
He went into semi-retirement after major surgery left him with some physical difficulties but continued fashioning unique items out of metal and giving them away. His passions included Garage sales and Auction sales at which he freely distributed Christian literature and Gideon Testaments. Dad’s somewhat dry humor was evident even in his last days.
He travelled to carious countries, of which one of the most meaningful was the trip to the Holy Lands in 1973. The highlight of his summers, for the past twenty-seven years, was going to the Manitoba Thresherman’s Reunion in Austin, MB. It was here he managed the Blacksmith Shop and taught apprenticeship courses in forge welding to many young people.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, June 19, 2003 at 2:00 p.m .at the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church, Grunthal, MB with viewing prior to the service. Interment in the Grunthal Cemetery.
It friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Gideons, Box 3619 Stn Main; Guelph, ON N1H 9Z9, also available at the church.
A special thank you to Dr. Mark Duerksen, Dr. David Horne and the nursing staff of Bethesda Hospital for their compassionate care.
MARIA QUIRING
1929 - 2003
Following a long and courageous battle with cancer, Maria Quiring passed away June 16, 2003, in her 74th year. She was predeceased by her husband Cornelius, as well as one daughter and three grandsons.
Beloved mother of John, Neil (Sharon), Mary (Jim), Ann (Art), Peter (Pat), Helen, Sue (Ron), Kathy, and Elizabeth; as well as 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Mom always thought of others before herself. A member of The Springs Church in Steinbach, Man., she drew much strength from her devout faith. She was the heart and soul of the family, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Many thanks to all the caregivers at Bethesda Hospital, and all the people who took time to visit Mom during her lengthy illness.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, June 18, at Springs Church, Steinbach, with interment following at the Heritage Cemetery.
Johan F. Schroeder
1919 – 2003
Passed away on Friday, June 20, 2003 at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach at the age of 84.
He is survived by his wife Eva, two sons, two daughters and their families.
Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Sunday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional to follow at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the Steinbach Chortitzer Mennonite Church, 479 Hanover St., Steinbach, MB on Monday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Randolph Cemetery.
If friends so desire donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society; 10 – 120 Donald Street; Wpg., MB R3C 4G2 or to Child Evangelism Fellowship; 179 Henderson Hwy; Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L5
Longer notice to follow.
Olga Janzen
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother and sister Olga Janzen on July 6, 2003 at the Vita & District Health Centre.
She will be forever remembered and deeply missed by her husband Peter, sons Roman (Michelle) Gawronsky, Peter (Pat) Gawronsky, John (Sherry) Gawronsky and daughter Daria Gawronsky; grandchildren Jolene, Josie, Joey, Joshua, Michael, Ryan, James and Allyssa; brother Walter (Rose) Tymkiw, sisters Mary (Walter) Prokipshuk, Teenie (Nick) Kiss and Theresa and niece Joanne Yawney.
Prayers will be held Wednesday, July 9, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. with viewing 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. The funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 10, 10 a.m. at the Nativity of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Senkiw with Rev. Father Miron Pozniak officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Vita & District Health Centre and St. Boniface Hospital for their care and kindness towards our mother.
“A Mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.”
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102 – 310 Broadway; Wpg., MB R3C 0S6 or Nativity of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Senkiw, MB.
May she rest in peace.
“Vichnaya Pamyat”
ABRAM BRAUN
1926 – 2003
Passed away at his residence in Steinbach, MB July 7, 2003 at the age of 77.
He is survived by his wife Anna, six daughters, two sons and their families.
Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Thursday, July 10, 7:30 pm with a devotional at 8 pm. The funeral service will be held Friday, July 11, 2 pm at the Steinbach Chortitzer Mennonite Church.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses.
