Vera Janzen Isaak (1927-2000)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Mar 02 p. 29

Birth date: 1927 May 20

text of obituary:

VERA JANZEN

Henry and Vera Janzen of Kingston, Ont. both passed away in 2000, Vera Mar. 31 of Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), and Henry Oct. 14 of prostate cancer. Vera Martha was born May 20, 1927 to Jacob and Martha Isaak in Winnipeg. She attended school in Winnipeg and Ottawa, then studied at MB Bible College in Winnipeg. The Isaaks were members of North End MB Church. Henry was born May 29, 1924 to Abram P. and Justina Janzen in Orloff, Sagradowka, Ukraine. The family immigrated to Manitoba in 1926. Henry went to school in the Lake District and Steinbach, Man. He was baptized and joined Steinbach MB Church. A conscientious objector during World War II, he worked as a translator in a camp for German POWs. After the war, he attended MBBC, where he met Vera. While Henry began university studies, Vera served with MCC in Akron, Pa. They married Sept. 16, 1950 in St. Catharines, Ont. During the 1950s, Henry completed his education and taught in Sioux Lookout, Ont., then Parry Sound, Ont. During the '60s, they were members of Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church. Henry taught at several Kitchener schools, including Rockway Mennonite Collegiate 1959-62. He also taught in Oakville and Port Credit, Ont. before moving to the Kingston area in 1970. Vera worked as a secretary for the school board, then Queen's University in Kingston 1974-92, retiring as secretary to the Principal. Henry took early retirement in 1977. For the next 20 years, he showed his people-friendliness and concern in a wide variety of voluntary service, including prison ministry and service to seniors and various charities. Vera and Henry were known for their beautiful singing as a duet and in church choirs. Henry sang for some years with the Schneider Male Chorus in Kitchener. Henry was active in curling, hockey, swimming and racquet sports, and carried the Olympic Torch for 1 kilometre in the Kingston area in 1988. Throughout their Kingston years, Henry and Vera were active in the Alliance church. Henry pursued his interest in Anabaptist theology by taking courses at Queen's. Both had a strong faith that sustained them through the difficult years of illness. Vera and Henry are mourned by sons Arthur, Victor and Gordon; 9 grandchildren; Vera's 2 brothers and Henry's 3 sisters.