Schierling, Jacob

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2006 Nov 24 p. 27

Birth date: 1927 Jul 13

text of obituary:

JACOB SCHIERLING</3>

Jacob Schierling was born in Siberia July 13, 1927 to Jacob and Margrete Schierling. When he was 2, his parents left Russia. His mother and a sister died enroute to Ger- aginable loss and hardship. It's a story of fam- ily love and Christian faith, of cunning survival strategies and miracles. During the 1930s and 40s, Anne helped her family escape Stalin- ist Russia and emigrate from war-torn Europe. She landed in Canada in 1948 and married Peter Friesen in 1949. They raised 4 children, Edith, Victor, Kathie, and Gary. Anne excelled at baking and dressmaking, and helped run her husband's home construction business in Vancouver. She also found time to travel, play Scrabble, and lead an active social life. Anne and Peter were among the founders of Kil- larney Park MB Church. After Peter's death in 2000, Anne moved to Langley, B.C., where she joined North Langley Community Church. Anne graced this earth with courage, intelligence, resourcefulness, chutzpah, faith, and love. She is mourned by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The burial was Sept. 28. many. He immigrated to Paraguay with his father, living both in Fries - land and the Chaco. Here Jacob gave his life to the Lord and was baptized in the EMB church. Here too he met and married Luise Kliewer June 9, 1948 . They first farmed but in 1956 moved to Filadelfia, where Jacob took up work that gave him much joy - working with machines and driving transport truck. Long trips in a pio- neering environment often brought him into danger. The family later moved to Canada, where Jacob worked in construction. He helped build King Road MB Church, Abbotsford. Jacob was a man of few words but great faith, willing- ness to help, dependability, and good humour. He prayed daily for his family. He is mourned by Luise, children Sieglinde (Helmut) Janzen, Irene (Heinz) Harms, Monica (George) Wark- entin, Ewald (Viola), and Carol (Glen) Monds; and Maria Wiebe. The 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. The family immigrated to funeral was Sept. 18 at King Road Church.