Schroeder, Kathryne Cornelia Matties (1920-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Mar 16 p. 28

Birth date: 1920 Feb 25

text of obituary:

KATHRYNE CORNELIA SCHROEDER

Kathryne Cornelia Schroeder of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away Jan. 3. She was born Feb. 25, 1920 to Cornelius and Susanna Matthies in New Samara, Russia. When she was 1, her mother died. Her father married Amalia Isaak, a widow with 2 children. In 1925 the family immigrated to Rabbit Lake, Sask. She went to school till grade 9. She left home at age 16 or 17 to work as a housekeeper. At 18, she committed her life to the Lord. She was baptized at Lone Pine Lake, Sask. and joined Mullingar MB Church. She moved to Winnipeg in 1943 and Vancouver in 1946. She attended South Abbotsford Bible School for 4 years. She married Henry Klein Sept. 21, 1951 in Vancouver MB Church. In 1952 they moved to Yarrow, B.C., where Henry taught at the Bible school. They returned to Vancouver, where Henry did millwork and served as a lay pastor. In 1955 they moved to Richmond, B.C. Henry died unexpectedly May 6, 1959 following surgery. She was a good mother to daughter Evelyn, providing food from her large garden and re-sewing clothing. Her faith in God was strong. She taught the senior high girls' Sunday school class in Vancouver MB Church for many years. In the late 1960s, she took business courses at night school. She joined Richmond Bethel MB Church. In 1971 she moved to a condo in Steveston. She worked at a Dairy Queen and then was manager of a Laura Secord store. She got her driver's licence at 55 and bought a car. She married Fred Schroeder, a widower with 5 children, Feb. 2, 1976 in Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, Richmond. She joined King Road MB Church in Abbotsford. She was a loving stepmother. She and Fred travelled to Germany and Hawaii and within North America. In later years, they moved to a condo and joined Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford. She always had flowers blooming on her patio, enjoyed having company for meals and loved making treats for her grandchildren and looking after Fred. Fred moved to a care home in March 2000; he died May 7, 2000. She was diagnosed with cancer in April 2000 and entered hospital. Her faith in God never wavered. She was concerned to the end that her children and grandchildren would meet her in heaven. Predeceased by both husbands and a grandson, she is mourned by daughter Evelyn Kliewer; stepchildren Elli Driediger, Chris of Qatar, Ethel Valiant, Walter and John; 2 grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; 6 step-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters and 1 stepsister. The funeral was Jan. 22 in Clearbrook MB Church, with Peter J. Klassen, Eldon DeFehr and John E. Klassen ministering.