Koop, Sara (1896-1971)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 Jun 11 p. 22

Birth date: 1896 May 11

text of obituary:

SARA KOOP

Miss Sara Koop was born on May 11 , 1896 in Alexanderkrone, southern Russia , to Heinrich and Sara Koop. She was only two years old when her mother died after giving birth to twins. Her father remarried and the family increased by five additional children. Sara's childhood and youth were spent in Alexanderkrone and here she also received the Lord Jesus as her Saviour. Because of her deep desire to serve the Lord she trained as deaconess in Halbstadt and then worked for five years in the hospital in Ohrloff and in the "Bethania" home for the mentally ill.

In 1924 she arrived in Canada. It was a difficult task to continue her profession in a new country, but she began serving at the mental hospital in North Battleford and later as midwife in the Steinbach (Manitoba) area. She and her sister Tina, who predeceased her, assisted in the founding of the Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg. Sara returned to high school and completed nurse's training with honours. As RN she worked in Winnipeg, Steinbach and Toronto before she and her sister Tina opened a Maternity and Nursing Home in Vineland. During 13 years, 732 children were born and 300 others received medical care in this home.

In 1961 Sister Sara Koop along with her sister Tina moved into the Mennonite Home for the Aged in Vineland. She experienced much love and good care from the house-parents and staff. The condition of her heart weakened, however, and on May 15 her Master called her home.

She is survived by two brothers, Henry of St.Catharines and Jacob of Jordan, and six sisters, Mrs. D. Mathies of St. Catharines, Mrs. J. Dueckmann of Leamington, Mrs. G. Reimer and Mrs. J . Wichert both of Vineland, Mrs. C. Neufeld of Niagara-on-the-lake, and Mrs. A . Driedger of Kingsville.