Funk, Elise Martens (1901-1977)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1977 Sept 02 p. 30

Birth date: 1901 Feb 06

text of obituary:

MRS. ELISE FUNK

Elise Funk of Steinbach, Man., went to be with the Lord on July 27 after an illness of a number of months. She was born on February 16, 1901 in the village of Altonau, in the Sagradowka settlement, in southern Russia, to Franz and Katharina Martens. She enjoyed a happy childhood and youth within a pious Christian home. She yielded her life to Christ early in life and was baptized upon her confession of faith by her father, who was the elder of the Orloff Evangelical Mennonite Brethren (Allianz) church.

On May 7, 1922 she was married to Johann J. Funk. They lived together in Russia for another three years and then gained the opportunity to emigrate to Canada, moving to a Mennonite village near Swift Current, Sask. Here they farmed in difficult circumstances for fifteen years. Eight children were born into the family here. Their first child, a son, was born in Russia. In 1940, the family moved to Elm Creek, Man., where they farmed for another 27 years. Mrs. Funk was not afraid to tackle any kind of work and entered energetically into all she did. The Lord blessed their life at Elm Creek; an especial grace to the family was the conversion of all the children and their entrance into the fellowship of the church.

In 1967 the Funks moved to Steinbach, Man., where they again enjoyed the fellow· ship of the Mennonite Brethren church and experienced ten happy years together in retirement.

Mrs. Funk is survived by her husband, Johann; four daughters, Anna (Mrs. Abe) Schellenberg, Winnipeg, Tina in Lesotho, South Africa, Margaret (Mrs. Albert) Petkau, Elm Creek, Man., and Mary (Mrs. Herman) Voth Carman, Man.; four sons, John and wife Ella of Haysville, Ont., Frank and wife Martha of Elm Creek, Henry and wife Hedy of Brandon, Neil and wife Laura of Elm Creek: 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One daughter, Elisabeth, predeceased her in 1956.