Pauls, Elizabeth Janzen (1921-2002)

'Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jun 21 p. 26

Birth date: 1921 Nov 20

text of obituary:

ELIZABETY PAULS

Elisabeth Pauls of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Mar. 3. She was born to Heinrich J. and Maria Janzen in Islutschistoje, Ukraine. She dreamed of becoming a doctor but was only able to go to school for 4 years before she had to work to help support the family. In 1939 her mother died, leaving her with responsibility to care for 5 younger siblings. When she was 20, she met Heinrich F. Pauls; they married June 20, 1943 in Kamenka. In 1943 they fled to Kruschwitz, Poland. Heinrich was conscripted into the German army Sept. 8, 1944. After a brief exchange of letters they lost contact. She fled to East Germany in January 1945; their second child was born on the way. They fled further west in June, staying with an elderly couple in Friedland. After 4 years, she moved to the MCC refugee camp in Gronau. Sh e immigrated to Canada, joining her father. She was baptized and joined Clearbrook MB Church. After 2 years, she moved to her own home. She worked at Fraser Valley Farms. She enjoyed the church sewing circle, preparing packages for MCC and mission projects; making blankets, quilting and preparing clothes with other church members was both a social and spiritual activity. She later worked as a cook at Clearbrook Community Centre. After a trip to Russia, she gave and raised money to establish a church in Bogdonovka (formerly Gnadenfeld), Russia. In 1956 she learned that Heinrich was living in eastern Siberia. They were finally reunited in 1965. Heinrich died of cancer in 1980. In 1984 cancer was found in her. After chemotherapy and radiation treatments, it went into remission. She travelled to Russia to see her brother and her husband's long-time friend. In 1994 the cancer reappeared, and she suffered much in the following years. She moved to Hallmark Assisted Living Home for several months, then to Tabor Home. Predeceased by Heinrich, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by son Albert; daughter Anne de Andrade; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and 3 brothers. The memorial service was Mar. 8 in Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, with Jay Neufeld ministering.