Janzen, Mathilda Emrich (1910-1990)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary 1990 May 18 p. 31

Birth date: 1910

text of obituary:

Mathilda Janzen

Mathilde Janzen of Clearbrook, B.C. was born .Jan. 27, 1910 to Johann and Florentine Emrich in Waldheim, Siberia. Her father became a German P.O.W., and the rest of the family moved to Hoffnungstal, Siberia. In 1925 she accepted Jesus; she was baptized on Pentecost Sunday. She married Franz Janzen Jan. 19, 1930. Because of a threat of banishment to north Siberia, they fled to southern Russia 2 days later. They moved 4 more times in the next 7 months. In 1936 they moved to White Russia. At the start of World War II, they were imprisoned and their children sent to an orphanage. They escaped and were reunited. In 1943 they reached Germany. In 1948 they immigrated to Paraguay, where they pastored in the MB churches. They lived in Uruguay for 5 years, then moved to Vancouver in 1960. In 1961 they became associate pastor couple of Zion MB Church in Kitchener, Ont. In 1973 they moved to Clearbrook. She is remembered for her active support of her children's Christian ministries; her hospitality and enjoyment of Christian fellowship, even though she became reclusive due to illness in later years; and her appreciation of beauty and her creativity, expressed in her paintings, carvings and other projects. Predeceased by 4 children at an early age, she is mourned by her husband; sons Frank of Florida and Ernst of Uruguay; daughter Erika Sukkau of Alberta; 10 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 brother. The funeral was Apr. 6 in Clearbrook MB Church, with John E. Klassen ministering.