Loewen, Maria Ratzlaff (1887-1966)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1966 Sep 30 p. 18

Birth date: 1887 Jun 17

text of obituary:

MRS. MARIA RATZLAFF LOEWEN

Mrs. Maria Loewen of Steinbach, Manitoba, passed away on August 31, in the Steinbach Hospital, following a broken hip operation and lengthy illness. Funeral services were held at the MB Church in Steinbach on September 3. Officiating at the service was the Rev. Peter Martens. Other speakers were Rev. Henry Regehr, Steinbach, and Rev. Abe Neufeld, son-in-law to the late Mrs. Loewen.

Mrs. Loewen was born in Jansen, Nebraska, on June 17, 1887, the daughter of the Rev. Henry and Mrs. Elizabeth Ratzlaff. At the age of 17 she found her Saviour and became a member of the church where her father was the minister.

On December 11, 1912, she was united in marriage with Isaac T. Loewen. They lived the greater part of their life in Steinbach, together with their seven children. In August of 1920 they were accepted into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Steinbach.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Loewen experienced difficult, lonely years as a widow. Deafness, poor eyesight and a gradual increase of tremor, cast heavy shadows upon her life. However, she was always a devoted, praying child of God, a true witness and a good example to her family.

A slight stroke in May of 1966 confined her to hospital, and a later fall caused the broken hip and subsequent operation.

She was predeceased by her husband and one granddaughter. She leaves to mourn six daughters, Elisabeth (Mrs. Cornelius Unruh), Winnipeg, Bertha (Mrs. Leonard Reimer), Portland, Oregon, Anna (Mrs. Alfred Reimer), Steinbach, Emma (Mrs. David Schroeder), Moundridge, Kansas, Elsie (Mrs. Jacob Bergen), Calgary, Alberta, Irene (Mrs. Abram Neufeld), Winnipeg; one son, Albert, Steinbach; three brothers and two sisters, as well as many friends and relatives.