Neufeld, Elvira Margaret Regier (1931-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jan 25 p. 23

Birth date: 1931 Aug 22

text of obituary:

ELVIRA MARGARET NEUFELD

Elvira Margaret Neufeld passed away June 25. She was born Aug, 22, 1931 to John and Susie Regier in Herbert, Sask, She was curious, loved to learn and was a top student. She went to Normal School in Moose Jaw, Sask., then began teaching in Greenfarm School near Herbert. On Aug, 14, 1955, she married Walter Neufeld, who had moved away 11 years earlier but had kept writing her letters. They moved to Abbotsford, B.C, then returned to Herbert, where they bought a hardware store, They sold the store, built a motel and took up farming, In 1993 they sold the farm and moved to Swift Current, Sask. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She loved music and was an accomplished pianist. She sang for many years in the Herbert MB Church choir and was pianist for the male quartet. She loved crafts, including cross-stitch, knitting and sewing, and made things for her grandchildren. In 1998 cancer was found, She had 3 operations; both kidneys were removed. She accepted her condition with courage and grace. She had 3 good years on dialysis and became an inspiration to other patients. She was concerned about others more than about herself. She never let dialysis discourage her from doing the things she loved. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved watching the Blue Jays play baseball and her sons curl. She taught her children how to live by example, and loved and supported them. She considered herself blessed and was sustained by her faith to the end. She is mourned by Walter; daughters Lynette Janzen of Herbert, Sask. and Joanne Wiebe-Friesen of Calgary; sons Walter of Victoria, Dale of Saskatoon and James of Saskatoon; 10 grandchildren; her mother; 3 brothers and 1 sister. The funeral was June 30 in Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon, with George Janzen and Harry Strauss ministering.