Pauls, Elizabeth Janzen (1921-2002)

'Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jun 21 p. 26

Birth date: 1921 Nov 20

text of obituary:

ELIZABETY PAULS

Elisabeth Pauls of Ab- botsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 3. She was born to Heinrich J. and Maria Janzen in Is- lutschistoje, Ukraine . She dreamed of becom- ing a doctor but was only able to go to school for 4 years be- fore she had to work to help support the family. In 1939 her mother died, leaving her with responsibility to care for 5 younger siblings. When she was 20, she met Heinrich F. Pauls; they married June 20, 1943 in Kamenka. In 1943 they fled to Kr- uschwitz, Poland. Hein- rich was conscripted into the German army Sept. 8, 1944. After a brief exchange of let- ters' they lost contact. She fled to East Ger- many in January 1945; their second child was 26 Jun e 21.2002 M ENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD born on th e way. They fl ed further west in June, staying with an el- derly couple in Fried- land. Aft er 4 years, she mov ed to the MCC refugee camp in Gronau. Sh e immigrat- ed to Canada, joining her father. She was bap- tized and joined Clear- brook MB Church. After 2 years, she moved to her own home. She worked at Fraser Valley Farms. She enjoyed the church sewing circle, preparing packages for MCC and mission pro- jects; making blankets, quilting and preparing clothes with other church members was both a social and spiri- tual activity. She later worked as a cook at Clearbrook Community Centre. After a trip to Russia, she gave and raised money to estab- lish a church in Bog- donovka (forrnerly Gnadenfeld), Russia . In 1956 she learned that Heinrich was living in eastern Siberia. They were finally reunited in 1965. Heinrich died of cancer in 1980. In 1984 cancer was found in her. After chemothera- py and radiation treat- ments, it went into re- mission. She travelled to Russia to see her broth- er and her husband's long-time friend. In 1994 the cancer reap- peared, and she suf- fered much in the fol- lowing years. She moved to Hallmark As- sisted Living Home for several months, then to Tabor Home. Prede- ceased by Heinrich, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by son Albert; daughter Anne de Andrade; 4 grand- children; 2 great-grand- children; and 3 broth- ers. The memorial ser- vice was Mar. 8 in Clear- brook MB Church, Ab- botsford, with Jay Neufeld ministering.