Gortzen, John (1926-2007)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2007 Mar p. 31

Birth date: 1926 Mar 19

text of obituary:

JOHN (HANS) GORTZEN

John (Hans) Gortzen died Jan. 26. He was born Mar. 19, 1926 in Alexanderpol, Ukraine to Peter and Justina Gortzen. In July 1931, the family immigrated to Brazil. John spent his youth in Curitiba and was baptized on confession of his faith Dec. 7, 1947. He married Anna Penner Feb. 12, 1949. They lived in Bage, Curitiba, and Sao Paolo, where John worked at several different jobs including wheat farming, dairy farming, and house parenting at the Mennonite Girls Home. In 1978, with their children and grandchildren already living in Vancouver, John and Anna followed them to Canada, where they learned a new language and adapted to new food and weather. After John's retirement in 1990, they moved to Abbotsford, B.C, where John became a volunteer at the MCC Thrift Store. He enjoyed serving people and was a church usher from the age of 23. John and Anna readily opened their home to visitors. Predeceased by 1 sister, he is mourned by Anna; children Kathie (Ernesto) Berg and Wally (Waltrude); 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 1 sister; 1 brother; his step-mother. The funeral was Feb. 2 at King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C.