Doerksen, Tina Wohlgemuth (1909-2000)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Mar 16 p. 29

Birth date: 1910 Oct 10

text of obituary:

TINA DOERKSEN

Tina Doerksen of Ab botsford, B.C. passed away Dec. 28. She was born Oct. 10, 1909 to Gerhard and Sarah Wohlgemuth in the Crimea, Russia, the oldest of 8 siblings. In her teens, she committed her life to Christ, was baptized and joined the church. She sang in the church choir and was a soloist at choir festivals. In 1929 the family fled to Germany. They moved to the Chaco, Paraguay, settling in Schoenwiese, Fernheim Colony in 1930. Here 4 of her siblings died of typhus. She did housework and cared for children in Asuncion, Paraguay to help support the family. She married Peter G. Doerksen June 23, 1935. In 1939 they moved to Filadelfia, Fernheim Colony, Paraguay. They moved to Steinbach, Man. in 1949 and to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1953. They joined Clearbrook MB Church. For several years they were janitors. She sang in choirs, participated in ladies' groups and supported MB missions. She worked in a variety of ways to help support the family. She worked full-time at Glacier Cold Storage, retiring in 1974. She did volunteer work for MCC, the Red Cross and CNIB and kitchen work at the Golden Age Society complex. Her motto was "Give it away to those in need because you can't take it with you when you leave this world." In their golden years, they moved to Evergreen Village. Peter died in 1987. In 1998 she moved to Maplewood House and in 1999 to Menno Hospital Extended Care Unit. Predeceased by Peter, 2 grandchildren and all her siblings, she is mourned by children Harry, Helmut, Inge Schmidt, Hart, Edith Dahl, Zeke and Victor; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The memorial service was Jan. 4 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Jay Neufeld and Helmut Doerksen ministering.