Ewert, Maria Penner (1914-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Mar 31 p. 29

Birth date: 1914 May 21

text of obituary:

MARIA EWERT

Maria Ewert of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Feb. 15. She was born May 21, 1914 to Bernhard and Maria Penner in Muensterberg, Sagradowka, Russia. In 1920 they moved to village #9, Altonau. She helped her father with the Christmas program at church. At 14, she accepted Christ. Ps. 23 was a comfort throughout life. Her father was imprisoned. She married Heinrich Unger Jan. 10, 1937. He was taken away Dec. 16, 1937. She learned in 1962 he died in prison June 12, 1947. Daughter Mariechen, who was born Oct. 14, 1937, died Mar. 20, 1938. In 1941 all her brothers were taken. When churches reopened, she sang in the choir and attended Bible studies. She was baptized Sept. 31, 1942, claiming Ps. 119:105,115-117. She fled to Germany in 1943, to Poland in 1944, to Germany in 1945 and to Paraguay in 1947. She and her mother-in-law farmed 12 acres. In 1951 she had 2 major surgeries. In 1957 she came to Canada, staying with her aunt and uncle in Yarrow, B.C. She worked for MCC and in 1960 began working at a seniors' home in Vancouver. She had a serious car accident in 1960. She prayed for the Lord to take her, but He didn't. She then prayed that God would give her a family. On May 20, 1967, she married Peter J. Ewert, who had 3 grown children. Stepdaughter Mary died in 1981. Peter died Dec. 5, 1983. In 1985 she visited family in Germany. She lived in Clearbrook, B.C., where she made blankets for MCC, sang in the choir, helped in the church kitchen, worked with Helping Hands and made crafts, afghans, tablecloths and stars. Many times she was ill and could not understand God's ways, but was always thankful He was with her (Lam. 3:22, 23). She is mourned by stepchildren Susan Fedrau, Johnny, and Margaret Stobbe; 19 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Feb. 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Peter Klassen, Jay Neufeld, Eldon DeFehr and John E. Klassen ministering.