Koehn, Maria Martens (1904-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Mar 21 p. 29

Birth date: 1904 Feb 12

text of obituary:

MARIA KOEHN

Maria Koehn passed away Dec. 5. She was born Feb. 12, 1904 to Peter and Helena Martens in Orloff, Sagradowka, Russia. She enjoyed school, memorizing many poems that she could still recite at age 90. She worked on the farm, plowing with a team of horses. At 15, she accepted Christ; she was baptized the following summer, joining the Allianz Church. Her father and oldest brother died on one day in 1919 during the revolution. In 1924 she emigrated to Herbert, Sask. with her mother, married brother and 2 sisters; they later moved to Blumenort, Sask. On Aug. 21, 1927 she married Henry David Koehn, her fiance who had stayed in Russia to do alternative service. In 1936 they moved to Vauxhall, Alta. She worked hard helping Henry on their small farm and had a large garden to supply food for the family. They moved to Vancouver in 1958 and retired to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1970. Maria pursued her hobby of crocheting, making tablecloths for her children and afghans for her grandchildren. In 1992 they moved to Sunset Manor. Henry passed away in 1997. She moved to Tabor Home. Predeceased by Henry, an infant son and daughter Loretta Dyck in 1977, she is mourned by sons Arthur, Walter and Ernie; daughters Linda Fast, Anita Hamm, Ellie Kroeker and Dora Schulz; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. The funeral was Dec. 11 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Heinz Ratzlaff and William E. Thiessen ministering.