[ FINISH LINES Nicolai Reimer
Hilda Penner
Peter John Neufeldt
Mar. 12, 1926–Jan. 30, 2016
Oct. 3, 1939–Feb. 20, 2016
July 25, 1936–Feb. 27, 2016
BIRTHPLACE Karassan, Crimea, Ukraine PARENTS Jacob & Anna (Penner) Reimer MARRIAGE Annie Petker, July 2, 1950 [d. Dec. 5, 2001] BAPTISM July 30, 1944 CHURCH Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY children Margaret (Donn) Sherman, Bertha [d.]
(Tim (Gertrude)) Geddert, Doris (John) Maxwell, Harold (Bernice), Wes (Sherril), Ruth (Glenn) Clark, Art (Paige), Henry [d. in infancy]; 22 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 3 siblings
Nick’s family immigrated when he was 4, settling in Coaldale. Nick accepted Christ as Saviour at 11. He left school after Grade 8 because he was needed on the farm – especially after his father’s death. However, Nick remained a reader and student for life. He attended 3 years at Coaldale Bible School, where he met Annie. He delivered milk and sold cars until his dream of being a dairy farmer became reality. He taught Sunday school for 30 years, helped with vacation Bible school and, in the early 1970s, was elected as lay minister. Nick and Annie retired to Coaldale in 1991 but built their home large enough so all 7 children could come home for Christmas. Nick’s woodworking projects grace his children’s homes and the church and have benefited MCC.
Joyce Elizabeth Schmidt 1929–Feb. 1, 2016 BIRTHPLACE Borden, Sask.
PARENTS Abraham & Sarah Martens
MARRIAGE Peter Wesley Schmidt, 1957 BAPTISM Borden, Sask.
CHURCH Fort Garry MB, Winnipeg
FAMILY Wes; children Colleen (Frank) Froese, Don
(Cheryl) Schmidt; 2 granddaughters
Joyce accepted Christ at a revival meeting in Saskatoon. She attended teacher’s college in Saskatoon and taught in a one-room schoolhouse, then in small towns and, later, in Saskatoon. After marrying Wes, she directed her energies into being a wife and mother. Her family years were in Winnipeg, with summers at her favourite place, Shoal Lake. Wes and Joyce moved to South Surrey, B.C., in 1998 to enjoy warmer winters and be closer to family. Joyce loved the outdoors. She skied, canoed and gardened with an enthusiasm she passed on to others. With her natural artistic talent, Joyce made many beautiful paintings. She was an active church member whose faith in Christ strengthened and sustained her, especially through her illness.
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BIRTHPLACE Saskatoon PARENTS John & Helena Willms MARRIAGE Peter Penner, 1982 CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Peter; stepchildren Rudolf, Karl (Cindy), Lili (Ray)
Krause; 4 grandchildren; 5 siblings
Hilda trained as a practical nurse in Abbotsford, B.C. She worked in a dentist’s office and at Vancouver General Hospital. Hilda completed her Royal Conservatory teacher’s certification and taught piano lessons. She was active in church as a Sunday school teacher, Pioneer Girls volunteer and pianist. Hilda and Peter enjoyed travelling, taking daily walks and attending church events. On mission trips to Mississippi, Paraguay, Venezuela and Guatemala, she provided disaster relief, taught English and shared her faith. Hilda and Peter provided foster care to many children. She took delight in tea parties with grandchildren, picnics with family, shopping for blouses and visits with friends. Always cheerful in the face of obstacles, Hilda will be remembered for her kind spirit, love for music and unwavering faith.
Jacob (Jay) Neufeld July 18, 1932–Feb. 24, 2016
BIRTHPLACE Chortitza, Ukraine PARENTS Jakob & Mathilde (Harder) Neufeld; stepfathers
Reinhold Lick, Isaac Toews MARRIAGE Katie Willms, Aug. 24, 1957 CHURCH Elmwood MB, Winnipeg; East Aldergrove (B.C.) MB (now Ross Road); Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Katie; children Daniel, Valery Joy Reimer, Heidi Willems, James (Katia), Pamela [d.] (Paul) Kutcher; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 sister
Jay’s family guarded their New Testament from Russian authorities. His parents introduced him to Jesus. When Jay was 3, his father was charged with counter-revolution and sent to Siberia, where he died after 3 years’ hard labour. During those difficult years, Jay cried out to God. He later received assurance of salvation. The family fled to Poland in 1943, to Germany in 1945 with Russian tanks close behind them. They immigrated to Canada on the Acquitania, settling in Kelowna, B.C. Jay studied 4 years at Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute and completed a master of ministry at Providence Theological Seminary. At MB Bible College, Winnipeg, he met Katie. Jay pastored 11 churches in Aldergrove, Dawson Creek and Abbotsford, B.C.; Ontario; U.S.A.; and Winnipeg. He retired at 70 but, at 76, served part-time in Clearbrook MB’s German ministry. Jay enjoyed singing in the German and male choirs.
BIRTHPLACE Coaldale, Alta. PARENTS Johann & Cornelia (Born) Neufeldt MARRIAGE Ella Ratzlaff, May 17, 1959 [d. 2005]; Edna
(Kroeker) Braun, Oct. 29, 2006
BAPTISM Coaldale MB, around 1961 FAMILY Edna; his sons Colin (Lynette), Gerald (Kathy),
J. Glen (Rachel); stepson Brian (Amber) Braun; 9 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 3 siblings
Peter missed a lot of school due to rheumatic fever. After completing Grade 8, he worked in his father’s blacksmith shop and his brothers’ manufacturing and plumbing shop. He earned his journeyman plumbing and gas-fitting certificates and started Pete’s Plumbing & Heating, which enabled him to purchase rental properties. Peter rededicated his life to Christ as a young man and served Coaldale MB’s boys’ club and committees. Wanting them to learn a trade, Peter mentored his sons as plumbers and sent them to trade school. After Ella’s death, Edna brought stability to Peter’s life. They enjoyed travelling together. During his illness, she was a comfort. Peter repeatedly said, “I am ready to go.”
Yvonne Dolores Miller July 21, 1930–Mar. 11, 2016
BIRTHPLACE Strathclair, Man PARENTS Wesley & Irene Cochrane MARRIAGE Levi Mills Miller, Aug. 28, 1947 [Sept. 7, 1970] CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY children Wilmar (Carol), Yvonne (Jack) Brown,
Clayton (Cathy), Delbert; 7 grandchildren; 7 greatgrandchildren; 1 sister
Yvonne enjoyed 4-H, skating, playing ball and riding her Welsh pony Cupid. She worked 1 summer at the tuberculosis clinic in Ninette, Man. She met Levi at a dance. They moved to Beardmore, Ont., and Isabella, Man. In Port Alberni, B.C., she volunteered at Boy Scout banquets and VBS. While her children were in school, Yvonne took correspondence Bible courses, completed her Grade 12 in night school and continued her nursing studies. She loved history. When Levi was dying of lung cancer, Yvonne completed her nursing degree. She nursed at Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, B.C. Yvonne retired in 1990 to Logan Lake, B.C., where she helped in the school soup kitchen and quilted for the women’s shelter. After moving to Abbotsford in 2005, she baked for AWANA and knit toques for the mission. Yvonne loved curling, travelling, writing, and watching the Blue Jays and her greatgrandsons’ hockey games. Her church became her family wherever she lived.