Loewen, Dietrich (1911-1990)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 1990 May 4 p. 28

Birth date: 1911

text of obituary:

Dietrich Loewen

Dietrich Loewen passed away in Abbotsford, B.C. Mar. 13. He was born Sept. 8, 1911 to Dietrich H. and Kornelia Loewen of Muensterberg, Zagradovka, Russia. When he was 5, his mother died while his father was doing alternative service. His father returned a year later, married Helena Derksen and reunited the family. In 1926 they immigrated to Canada, reaching Blumenhof, Sask. in October. Dietrich lived with his older sister Anna and Abe Froese. When he was 17, he received Christ during an evangelistic service in Blumenhof. In 1927 he joined his parents on a farm in Gilroy, Sask. At 20 he was baptized and joined the MB church there. He served as Sunday school teacher for some time. In 1944 he bought a farm in Lawson, Sask. In 1974 his father died. He sold his farm and bought another in Nipawin, Sask. He retired in 1985. In 1988 he developed cancer and for a time lived with a niece in Nipawin, then with sister Liese and Henry Funk in B.C. for several months. Throughout his life he tried to witness by distributing tracts. In his last. days he tried to witness to fellow patients and nurses, questioning them about their relationship to the Lord and pointing them to him. He eagerly awaited his home going. Predeceased by his parents, brothers Jacob, Peter and John, sisters Nellie, Annie and another in infancy, he is mourned by his stepmother of Herbert; sisters Elisabeth Funk of Clearbrook, B.C. and Helen Klassen of Kelstern, Sask.; and brother George of Los Angeles. The funeral was Mar. 19 in Clearbrook MB Church, with J.E. Klassen, Jacob Pauls and Lloyd Pankratz ministering.