Froese, Elizabeth Paetkau (1887-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 April 19 p. 29

Birth date: 1887 July 28

text of obituary:

ELIZABETH FROESE

(Mrs.) Elizabeth Froese was born to Johann and Anna Paetkau on July 28, 1887 in Kronsweide, Chortitza, Russia. Her parents moved to Petersdorf, Nikolaipol, where she attended school and spent her early youth. In her sixteenth year she accepted Christ, and was baptized in July, 1904 by Rev. Peter Toews and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church in Nikolaipol.

On April 26, 1912 she was united in Two sons were born to them but both died at an early age, Two foster daughters also passed away in their childhood years. After a short but happy marriage, her husband died of typhoid fever on May 25, 1919 in Millerowo, Russia.

On June 14, 1920 she married Peter Henry Froese of Osterwick, Russia, a union blessed with four children: Peter, Anne, Jacob and John Arthur. In 1923 the family immigrated to Winkler, Manitoba. During their eighteen years there, many Bible school students boarded in their home.

In 1941 the family moved to Virgil, Ontario; Mr. Froese was called to be with the Lord in December 1949. Perhaps her deepest grief came with the passing of her youngest son Arthur in November, 1970.

Throughout her many years of hardship and sorrow, she clung to God's promises. As a member of the Virgil Mennonite Brethren Church, she served the Lord by her prayers and gifts of needlework, quilting and crocheting .

She passed away March 16, at the age of 86. Rev. J. G. Baerg officiated at the funeral service, held March 18 at the Virgil Church. Rev. Robert Rumble, pastor of the Evangelical Church of the Deaf, Toronto, translated the English part of the service into sign language for the children and foster children of Henry and Anne Dueck.

She is survived by son Peter and wife Amalie, Parkhill, Ont.; son Jacob and wife Tena, Niagara-on-the-Lake; daughter Anne and husband Henry Dueck, Milton, Ont.; daughter-in-law Hilda, Virgil; one brother; three sisters; 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild.