Goerzen, Anna Penner (1908-2003)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2003 Sep 12 p. 28

Birth date: 1908 Aug 8

text of obituary:

ANNA GOERZEN

Anna Goerzen died June 12. She was born Aug. 8, 1908 in Rerberg, south Russia, to Peter and Anny Pen - ner. She received Christ in revival meet- ings and was baptized in Reinfeld MB Church. They moved several times, hoping to leave Russia. She married Johann Klassen in the Omsk region in 1935. They were in a small fellowship group. Johann and others were imprisoned. They exchanged letters two years, comforted by God's word. Anna and children fled to Germany in 1943 and immi- grated to Canada in 1948, settling in Yarrow, B.C In 1956 she learned Johann died in 1942. She married Hermann Goerzen in 1960, moving to Kelowna. She cared for his children as her own. She enjoyed entertain- ing, making handcrafted gifts, letter writing, church activities, and gardening. She raised funds for her brother's church in Siberia. She wrote a detailed account of her life. Prede- ceased by Johann and Hermann, 6 siblings, 1 stepdaughter, 1 granddaughter, 1 great- granddaughter, she leaves children Peter and Anne Suderman; stepchildren Henry, Walter, Rudy, Louise Deglow, Art; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings. The ser- vice was June 18 at Clearbrook MB Church.