Funk, Aganetha Duerksen (1907-2005)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2005 Dec 16 p. 27

Birth date: 1907 Nov 7

text of obituary:

AGANETHA FUNK

Aganetha Funk di ed Oct. 16. She was born Nov. 7, 1907 in Neuhalbstadt, Ukraine to Jakob and Katerina Duerksen. Aganetha accepted the lord, was baptized and joined the Mennonite Church. Her family lost every- thing during the Soviet regime and lived in exile in the Ural Moun- tains. At 20, Aganetha fell in love with Hein- rich Funk and they were married in 1928. God blessed them with five children, 2 of whom died in infancy. In 1941, Aganetha and Hein- rich renewed their commitment to the lord and were baptized in the Inguls River, joining the MB Church. During WW II, the family fled to Germany. After the war, the family was again exiled to Siberia_ After Stalin's death in 1956, the Funks moved to Kyrgyzstan where they joined the Baptist underground church and served in the choir. They immigrated to Canada in 1977. Aganetha joined King Road MB Church, Abbotsford and served in the ladies missions group until age 93. Prede- ceased by Heinrich; 3 grandchildren; she is mourned by daughters Tina (Christian) and Elsa (Peter); son Heinrich (Lidia); 17 grand- children; 32 great-grandchildren; 8 great- great grandchildren. The funeral was Oct. 21 at King Road MB Church.