Finish lines

Marion June Goertzen

Marion grew up in Turtle Creek, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of John and Agnes Cook, a sister for John, William, and Dallas. Hers was a happy childhood, though her mother died when she was only 9. One memory stands out: 12-year-old Marion walking home from the Baptist church, feeling like she was walking on air, because she had given her life to the Lord. She went to New York to study at Practical Bible Training School. She also took a year of nurse’s training before applying with The Evangelical Alliance Mission for missionary service. She travelled to India in 1952 where she met, and later married, Henry. Marion’s first son was stillborn, but a year later she gave birth to Stanley. Her daughter Sandra was born 2 years later in the city of Jhansi. While in India, Marion and Henry started a Bible correspondence course ministry called Light of Life which sent Bible courses throughout all of India in various languages. Marion looked back with special fondness on this time with the feeling she had done what God had called her to do. In 1970 the couple returned to Abbotsford for a year of home assignment and to welcome their third child, Paul, into the family. When their visa to return to India was denied, the family moved to Trinidad in 1973, where they served 4 years, Marion as the mission bookkeeper. They returned to Abbotsford in 1977 and provided a stable home for their adolescent children. Marion worked at the Clearbrook Credit Union (now Envision Financial). She began at an entry level position, filing cheques, but ended up as executive secretary to the bank manager. The type of person who only knew friends, Marion was kind, hospitable, a good conversationalist, and an excellent cook known for her pie crusts and Indian cuisine. Marion enjoyed her more than 20 years at Menno Terrace West, Abbotsford. In her early years there, she organized activities and led Bible studies. She was thrilled when her best friend of 40 years, Lillian Johnstone, moved in across the hall. Marion’s gratefulness was especially evident in the trials at the end of life. She often said, “This is a good place to be; people are so nice to me,” even if it was the overflow area of the ER. Marion loved her family and her family loved her. Above all, she loved Jesus and looked forward to going home to heaven. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Birth: June 15, 1926

Birthplace: Turtle Creek, Penn.

Death: December 25, 2022

Parents: John & Agnes Cook

Married: Henry Goertzen, Feb. 14, 1957 [d. Dec. 24, 2001]

Family: children Stanley (Annamaria), Sandra (Harv), Paul (Miska); 6 grandchildren Mandy, Malcolm, Samuel, James, John, Milo

Church: Central Heights, Abbotsford, B.C.

Blondina Neufeld

Blondina was the third of 4 children. Her early years were during the Great Depression. She was impressed with the way her parents coped during those difficult years. After graduating from high school, Blondina taught in a public school for a year before enrolling in a 4-year training program at Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alta. This is where she sensed God leading her to become a missionary to northern India. She served there for 20 years with WEC International (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ). In her first years there, she and her coworkers served in a remote village where there were no roads. Travel was either by foot or ox cart. For health reasons, Blondina was transferred to Kishtiwar, Kasmir, where she assisted in a medical clinic. Blondina moved to Abbotsford, B.C., to be a caregiver to her parents. During that time, she worked as a receptionist in Dr. Fast’s dental office. She continued to have a passion for evangelism. At Clearbrook MB Church, she was involved in outreach, teaching English and Bible to newcomers from South Asia. She had a compassionate heart and assisted in a Sunday school class for disabled adults in the church. Her last years were in White Rock (B.C.) Senior Village. Staff often mentioned her exceptionally positive attitude and constant smile. Blondina’s sense of inner peace was deeply rooted in her faith. Even after poor health left her weak, she was always grateful for the co-laborers she had in church ministries, for friends, and for the staff who served her. She was especially grateful for the friendship and care given by her brother Clarence and his wife Joan. Joan was a real sister to her. She loved their family dearly. They visited her regularly even after Blondina lost her ability to express herself verbally. Blondina will be remembered for her selfless service and her burden to share her faith with others. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Birth: June 2, 1929

Birthplace: Main Centre, Sask.

Death: June 17, 2022

Family: brother Clarence (Joan) Church: Clearbrook, Abbotsford, B.C.

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Anne (Friesen) Matthies

Annie was born in 1927 in Kronsgart/ Plum Coulee, Man., to Johann B. and Anna Giesbrecht Wiebe Friesen, the youngest in the combined family of 8 children. They eventually made their way west and settled in Clearbrook in 1931– one of the first families to homestead on Upper Maclure. Anne attended school at Dunach and North Poplar, leaving in Grade 7 to help at home. This didn’t stop her education, however. She was always an avid reader and lifelong learner. Anne was musically gifted and learned to play organ and piano at an early age. At 15, she became the first pianist at Clearbrook MB Church when they got their first piano. Over the years, she accompanied dozens of groups and choirs, and it was while playing piano for chapel at MBBS (now Columbia Bible College) in Abbotsford in the late 1940s where she met her future husband, George Matthies. George and Anne were married in 1950 in Clearbrook, B.C., but lived in George’s home community of Black Creek, B.C., until 1955. Charlotte was born while they were in Black Creek, and after the family moved to Vancouver, two sons, James and Jonathan, were born. There were lots of moves over the years, including to Williams Lake and Quesnel. George and Anne were committed to serving the church, wherever they lived. They also love camping, table games, weekly coffee with cousins, Sunday lunches at ABC, and travelling to Alberta to visit their children and grandchildren. Anne’s first love was music, and she was always involved – whether as church pianist and organist, wedding musician, ladies’ and community choir director, or accompanist at the local senior facilities’ hymn sings, or playing at home for her own enjoyment. In the early 1980s, Anne pursued her passion for natural health, and after years of studying, receiving many certificates and diplomas, she began her consulting practice in Clearbrook. This brought many lovely people into Anne’s life – many of whom became her close forever friends. After George’s death in 2012, Anne remained independent for a few years, but when it became clear that she needed more assistance, she moved to Calgary to live with her son Jon for a year. In 2018, she moved to a facility in Ponoka to be close to Charlotte. After suffering strokes, she was moved into a nursing home, where she resided for 2 years until her passing. Her energy and sense of humour are greatly missed.

Birth: April 7, 1927

Birthplace: Kronsgart/Plum Coulee, Man.

Death: December 11, 2022

Parents: JJohann (John) B. Friesen & Anna Giesbrecht

Wiebe Friesen

Married: Gerhard (George) Matthies, May 5, 1950 [d. 2012]

Family: children Charlotte (John), James (Ellie), Jonathan; 4 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren

Church: Clearbrook, Abbotsford, B.C.

Sharon Jean Loewen

Sharon grew up with 4 younger siblings on a dairy farm in Matsqui Prairie, B.C. She attended Matsqui Elementary school and Abbotsford Junior and Senior. In Grades 11 and 12, she eagerly embraced the new option of a secretarial program, including typing, business machines, business communications, and bookkeeping. Sharon committed her life to the Lord as a teen, and in 1964, was baptized with a group of young people that included her future husband. After graduating in 1967, she married Ben Loewen at Matsqui MB Church. Ben bought 8.8 acres on Hallert Road in Matsqui and raised cattle. Over the next 5 years, she gave birth to their 4 children. Sharon’s secretarial training prepared her to set up Ben’s excavating business in 1968. She supplemented her training with Accounting I at Fraser Valley College in 1976. Wanting to teach their children responsibility through daily chores, Ben and Sharon bought a layer farm in Bradner in 1978. They relocated to Smith Avenue in 2015 and started a gravel pit business. Sharon continued to manage the farms and business right up to her passing. Ben and Sharon shared their passion of music through Valley Festival Singers and church choirs. Sharon enjoyed many friendships as part of the ladies singing group Wayfayers. Even during her last weeks, she would ask to be led to the piano and she would play worship songs. She joined Bible Study Fellowship in 1984 and dedicated herself to studying God’s Word, completing the 5-year course twice and leading for 4 years. Sharon felt called to be a light and extend God’s love by sharing the gospel and spending quality time nurturing relationships. Sharon and Ben attended Ross Road Church until 2017, when they were drawn to Clearbrook MB Church. They were excited to join the music ministry and make new friends. Sharon believed that death cannot separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38).

Birth: February 19, 1949

Birthplace: Abbotsford, B.C.

Death: June 27, 2022

Parents: Peter & Stella Reimer

Married: Ben Loewen, July 21, 1967 [d. Jan. 10, 2022]

Family: children Bernie, Rachelle (Karl) Dyck, Darren (Elissa), Trevor (Lisa); 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren

Church: Clearbrook, Abbotsford, B.C.