Tribute

Else Janischewski peacefully took the passageway to the arms of her Lord on December 20, 2021 at the marvelous age of 94. She was predeceased by; mother, Olga Warkentin, brother, Teodor Ewert, sister, Aliene (Lena) Krahn, husband, Tadeusz Janischewski, daughter, Rita Janischewski, daughter-in-law, Cathy Myers and son-in-law, John Wiersema. She is survived by; son, Theodor (Ted) Janischewski, daughter, Eleanor Wiersema, son, Ronald, (Ron), (wife – Rita) Janischewski, son, Victor (Vic) Janischewki, 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, long time family friend, Frank Freemantle as well as her “Birchwood Bestie,” Annelisse Tenbrink.
Else was born in Suworceska, USSR (Russia) on March 6, 1927 where she lived until she was 14 years old. When wartime came, the Mennonite family with the German sounding name were treated very poorly in Russia which made life unbearable. In 1941, with the father dead and brother Teodor taken away to work in the camps, what was left of Else’s family fled their home country to live in Germany. Years later, Else met and married a handsome Polish man, Tadeusz (Ted) Janischewski. In 1948 they immigrated to Canada to start a life and family, producing 5 children: Theodor (Ted), Eleanor, Ronald (Ron), Rita and Victor (Vic). Having five children came in very handy as they were proud owners of a Raspberry farm on Sumas Prairie Rd. and there was always work to be done.
In 1978, Ted and Else were ready for retirement and sold the farm, moving to Trent St. They did some traveling, visiting Poland first and made a few trips to Hawaii and Mexico. They enjoyed camping and made an annual trip to Westbank with the Epp family. Else made a trip to Germany with her son, Ted, later in life where she rejoiced in reconnecting with family. She was also able to visit a newly re-discovered family member on that trip overseas. Many years ago, as a young man of 17 or 18, Else’s older brother, Teodor Ewert was transported to the Siberian labour camps because he was of German descent and considered a threat. Once Else’s family, including her sister, Aliene, had immigrated to Canada, all contact would have been lost with the brother and it was assumed that the worst had happened after such tumultuous times. It turns out that after the war, Teodor had been resettled in Kazakhstan, working in the gold and silver mines, married, had a family and lived his life always wondering what had happened to his mother and two sisters after he was taken from them. Years later, Teodor met a man from Canada who was visiting relatives in Kazakhstan and conveyed this info to him. Long story short, this man placed an ad in a Canadian Mennonite German language newspaper once back home and eventually news traveled to Else and her sister that their brother was alive and looking for them. A reunion was set in motion and finally took place in Calgary. After 54 years the sisters were reunited with their brother!
Else’s pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and proudly showed off photos to anyone who was interested. Her summer days were spent in her other pride and joy, her garden, tending to her beautiful flowers and harvesting vegetables. She loved baking and canning, weaving her unique yarn-covered clothes hangers, playing cards with friends, going to fitness classes and sewing and cutting squares for quilts with her church ladies. She volunteered at the MCC thrift store twice a month and was always willing to lend a hand in the kitchen for any church event. She loved to be the hostess and thrived on hosting meals for family or friends.
Else’s beloved Tadeusz passed away in 2002. Once things got to be too much at the house on Gleneden St. for her, Else made the move to Birchwood and soon began to cherish living there. She absolutely loved participating in all the activities offered and was thrilled to always be able to play games. Despite a few medical issues, Else’s health was generally good through the years and her spirit for life was remarkable. She was able to keep doing all that she loved right up until she ended up in hospital. The family would like to thank the staff at Birchwood for providing such a wonderful home for Else in her later years, the nurses and staff at Chilliwack General Hospital, 3 North and 4 North as well as ICU staff who went above and beyond to accommodate video calls for the family, Melanie VanLeeuwen for making a special delivery, the “Church Family” at River of Life Church for always lending a hand and Pastor George Hoeppner for visiting and praying with Else at the hospital.
A small graveside committal will be held Sat., Jan. 15th at 2pm. at Vedder View Cemetery in Chilliwack, BC. A Memorial Service will be held in the Spring of 2022 at River of Life Church, Chilliwack, BC. Condolences and Tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.wiebeandjeskefh.com.