Voth, Katherina Bergen (1896-1976)

Mennonite Brethren Heraldobituary: 1976 Aug 06 p. 30

Birth date: 1896 May 16

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHERINA VOTH

(Mrs.) Katherina Voth was born in Pleschanow, Neu-samara, Russia, on May 16, 1896, to Kornelius and Helena Bergen. At the age of 15 years she was baptized with her parents and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church. On October 15, 1919 she married Johannes Voth. The Lord's strength promised in Isaiah 26:4, the verse they chose as a motto, became a reality during the difficult years of the Russian Revolution and the pioneer years when they moved to Canada in 1925.

The Voths settled first near Springstein, Man., where they farmed and were ordained as deacons in the Springstein Mennonite Brethren Church in 1939. In 1951 they moved to Virgil, Ontario. Her husband predeceased her in 1973. Due to disabilities she became shut-in physically, but spiritually and emotionally she lived fully and richly. She was deeply interested in her firmly, whose visits she enjoyed, the church and missions. Though confined to a wheel chair she spent hours lovingly writing up records of her early life.

After celebrating her eightieth birthday with most of her children and grandchildren on May 30, she suffered a stroke and passed peacefully on to be with the Lord on June 2. The funeral service was held at the Virgil (Ont.) Church, with John Klassen and Edwin Dyck officiating.

She is survived by four sons, Walter and Toby in Winnipeg, Alvin in Colombia, and John in Niagara Falls; six daughters, Herta in Panama, and Holdina, Susanna (Mrs. Peter) Wiebe, Erna (Mrs. Ben) Falk, Edith (Mrs. Walt) Wichert and Kae (Mrs. George) Froese of Ontario; one sister, (Mrs.) Susanna Enns in Russia; and 31 grandchildren.