Janzen, Mary Matties (1918-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Dec 6 p. 24

Birth date: 1918 Jan 26

text of obituary:

MARY JANZEN

Mary Janzen passed away Aug. 6. She was born Jan. 26, 1918 to Abram and Maria Matties near Omsk, Siberia. Her father died of a stroke 6-7 months later. Her mother remarried but died of starvation 2 1/2 years later. For 6 years, Mary was moved between relatives and an orphanage before she and her brothers were taken in by her Uncle Wilhelm and Aunt Agnes. During these years, she learned to depend on the Lord and trusted Christ as her Saviour. In 1929, they immigrated to Rosthern, Sask. For 10 years, she lived with Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Penner, in Hepburn, Sask., looking after them and going to school. At 16, she was baptized and joined Hepburn MB Church. She did day work in Saskatoon for several years, stayed briefly in La Glace, Alta. and moved to Yarrow, B.C. She married Frank Janzen Jan. 28, 1951. They owned a strawberry and pig farm, then moved to Vancouver, where Frank worked for mattress companies. She enjoyed being a mother and homemaker, taught her children to love the Lord and led by example. They attended Vancouver MB Church, but switched to Willingdon MB Church where she taught age 4- 5 Sunday school for many years. In February 1971 , breast cancer was diagnosed; she asked the Lord to spare her until her children were grown. Mini-strokes in 1973 and an aneurysm in 1976 damaged her eyes. Frank retired in 1980; in 1981 they moved to Abbotsford, B.C . Shortly, Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson's . She cared for him until he moved to Tabor Home in 1990. She moved to Sunset Manor in 1992. He moved to Menno Hospital. where he died Sept. 3, 1996. She filled the lonely hours with family, friends and handwork. She faced cancer, cataracts, a heart condition and strokes. Her trust in the Lord continued to deepen and her longing for heaven increased. Predeceased by Frank and her brother, she is mourned by children Caroline Thurley of Abbotsford , Laurinda Krause of Winnipeg, Valeria Pollard of Aldergrove, B.C. and Greg of Abbotsford; and 14 grandchildren. The funeral was Aug. 12 in Bakerview MB Church , Abbotsford, with Herb Neufeld ministering.