Janz, Susanna Wiebe (1889-1979)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1979 Apr 12 p. 34

Birth date: 1889 June 18

text of obituary:

MRS. SUSANNA JANZ

(Mrs.) Susanna Janz of Vancouver passed away on February 14. She was born to Johann and Anna Wiebe (nee Kroeker) on June 18, 1889 in Gnadenfeld, Sagradowka, Russia. She grew up in a home of 12 children. In 1912 she accepted the Lord as her personal Saviour; the same year she was baptized by Rev. Isaac Regehr and accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1933 she married David Janz, a widower, and took on the responsibility of four children. In 1943 the family left the Soviet Union, and after many difficulties arrived in West Germany in 1945. Her husband died there a year later. Two years later they were able to immigrate to Canada, arriving in Vancouver. The Vancouver Mennonite Brethren Church became the spiritual home of the family. Her son Henry, who had been separated from the family and remained in the Soviet Union, was able to join the family with his wife Tanja on January 19, 1978. This was welcomed as an answer to many prayers, and especially those of Susanna.

Her children remember her as a prayerful mother, who faithfully and conscientiously did her duty. She leaves to mourn two sons and two daughters: Henry and Tanja Janz, and Margaret, of Vancouver, John and Margaret J anz, and (Mrs.) Katie Letkeman of Clearbrook; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a large circle of friends.