Tribute

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of a dear wife, mother, Oma, and Great Oma.

She will be greatly missed by her husband Heinz of 69 years.

She also leaves behind her four children, Hermann (Donna) Neufeld, Heidi (Phil) Giesbrecht, Ingrid (George) Sly and Monica Dowedoff,  10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  Also mourning are her sister Frida Berg and brother Ernest Friesen, many other relatives and friends in British Columbia, Ontario, Brazil and Germany.

Anna was born in Steinfeld, Russia to Heinrich and Katharina Friesen. As an infant her family moved first to Germany in 1929 and then to Brazil hoping for a better life.  It was in Brazil where she met Heinz and they were married October 18, 1952. The three oldest children were born there before they decided to move to Canada with Anna eight months pregnant with child number four.  They arrived in Canada December 23, 1960.  The first 15 years were spent in Kitchener, Ontario before they moved to Abbotsford, BC.

Anna worked hard all her life, from living on a dairy farm in Brazil, working in a factory in Kitchener to cooking at a restaurant and at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford.  She found much joy spending time with her family, going to their cabin at 100 Mile House, fishing, baking, playing games and working in her garden.  She even had a small garden plot at Tabor court. Anna had the gift of hospitality and truly enjoyed having family and friends over for meals.

Donations in memory of Anna can be made to the Logos Canada Foundation or Kingdom Ventures Inc.  Both organizations supporting people in Russia.  Details upon request.

A visitation time for family and friends is planned for  Friday Jan. 14 from 9:30 to 10:30am at Clearbrook MB Church with a graveside service at 11am.