Paetkau, Katharina Neufeld (1902-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Nov 03 p. 31

Birth date: 1902 Mar 27

text of obituary:

KATHERINA PAETKAU

Katharina Paetkau was born in 1902 in Kronstal, Russia to Abraham and Sara Neufeld. At the age of fifteen she accepted the Lord. A year later she was baptized and became a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1925 she was married to Kornelius Paetkau. They were blessed with five children one of which died at the age of seven weeks. Their marriage was not quite thirteen years when her husband was banished to a concentration camp and never returned . Difficult years followed as she was left with four young children to raise.

In 1943 they came to Germany. Six years later, through the efforts of relatives, they were able to come to Canada. It was a hard decision, since one of the family had to be left behind. They settled in Virgil and enjoyed the fellowship of the believers.

On May first Mrs. Paetkau suffered a stroke. Although she improved slowly, she developed pneumonia and went to be with the Lord on September 16 having reached the age of 70 years and five month. She leaves to mourn her children: Annie and Hans Froese, St. Catharines; Katie Paetkau, Virgil; Kornelius Paetkau , Germany; Henry and Diane Paetkau, St. Catharines. Also four grandchildren.