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Miriam Mary Jantzen

Miriam was born in her parents’ farmhouse in Brotherfield, near Waldheim, Sask., July 12, 1927. She was baptized in the North Saskatchewan River and joined the Brotherfield MB Church Aug. 3, 1941. During her teen years, she was the accompanist for the Brotherfield church choir that her father Peter H. Jantzen directed. After graduation, Miriam attended Saskatoon Normal School and taught in country schools in Saskatchewan for 3 years. In 1950, Miriam moved to Winnipeg to study at a school recognized for its strong music program: MB Bible College. During her 5 years there, she was a member of the Gospel Light Hour radio choir. She became an accomplished musician with the ability to simultaneously conduct and accompany a choir. Upon completion of her studies, she taught music at Rosthern School and Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, supplementing her income with private instruction. In 1961, Miriam became a missionary to Paraguay with the Board of Mission of the MB Church (now Multiply). For 5.5 years, she taught music at Asunción Christian Academy, taught music and English privately, led music programs in local churches, and supported the efforts of her co-workers. In 1966, it was her great joy to participate in the annual 5-week teacher training course for Indigenous people in the Paraguayan Chaco when, at their request, music was included in the curriculum for the first time. Her report on that experience in the MB Herald (March 11, 1966) states: “I have never had a pleasanter teaching experience.” In both 1973 and 1974, Mariam spent the summer in Panama, teaching voice and melodica lessons to those who requested music education for their indigenized churches in the jungle province of Darién. She said, they would sing together “1 to 2 hours every evening in church. Then they would come to our house to continue.” Miriam also served as the Mennonite chaplain at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon from 1991 to 2002. Miriam died peacefully at Langham (Sask.) Care Home Jan. 13, 2023 at 95. She was the last family member of her generation, predeceased by siblings Luella, Elizabeth, Edward (Sara Berg), Hanna (Wilfrid Plett), Daniel, Vernon (Dorothy-Jean Fehr), Eva, Bertha.

Birth: July 12, 1927

Birthplace: Brotherfield, Sask.

Death: January 13, 2023

Parents: Peter H. & Maria (Harms) Jantzen

Family: nieces & nephews Archie (Erna), Teresa Forest, Ruth (Thor) Skafte, Geri Yee, Gladys Neufeld (Clayton Beish), Jane Epp, Evanne (Glynn) Linnard, Joyce Janzen, Dan (Christine)

Church: Brotherfield (Sask.) MB; Waldheim (Sask.) MB; Nutana Park Mennonite, Saskatoon

EVE-MARIE DANIEL

Eva-Marie (Wiehler) Daniel went to her forever home on Sunday Jan. 8, 2023. Later that afternoon, her home was filled with friends and family for 3:00 coffee time. This was always her favourite part of the day, especially when someone came to visit. Eva was born Mar. 4, 1926, in West Prussia. She was the fifth child in a family of 13 kids. After WWII, Eva was sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee to work at a hospital in Pennsylvania for one year. This prepared her for Herbert’s proposal in 1956: “Will you marry me? I’m immigrating to Canada.” She said “Yes!” Canada was full of adventure: getting married within one week of arriving, working at Vancouver General Hospital, moving to North Delta, B.C., building a house, and making a home for her husband and 3 children. Eva was active at Kennedy Heights Church, helping at Pioneer Clubs and always practising hospitality. After the children grew up, she worked at the Fairweather clothing store, learned hairdressing, and then took a longterm care course and worked a few years in a senior care facility. Later she volunteered many years at the MCC Thrift Shop. After her husband’s death in 2012, Eva invited a group of widows from Central Heights Church to her home for coffee every Sunday at 3:00. This tradition continued right until Dec. 18. She lived a long and full life surrounded by people who loved her.

Birth: April 3, 1926

Birthplace: West Prussia.

Death: January 8, 2023

Parents: Richard & Louise Wiehler

Married: Herbert Daniel, 1956 [d. Aug. 3, 2012]

Family: children Evita, John, Doreen (Tim Buhler); grandchildren Daniel (Kristina), David (Nicole), Heidi, James (Melissa), Laura (Zach Janz); 8 great-grandchildren

Church: Central Heights, Abbotsford, B.C.

Baptism: 1939

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