Tribute

Leona Justina Bergen was born to Anna (Epp) and Isaak Bergen at their farm near Aberdeen, Saskatchewan.

Leona attended a small schoolhouse in Aberdeen graduating in 1954 and shared many stories of travelling to school by horse drawn sleigh in the winter with their older brother Norman holding the reins.

After graduating from high school, she attended bible college where she met her future husband, John. That summer was filled with letters travelling between BC and SK and before long, plans were made for a wedding, which John and Leona celebrated on Aug. 5, 1955, in Aberdeen.

The happy couple took up residence in BC, and a year and a half later their first daughter arrived, soon followed by two more – one in 1958 and another in 1960. In 1957 they moved to Richmond BC where they lived for 16 years. Over the next 13 years Leona and John had 25 foster children, and rounded out their family in 1963 when they adopted their 4^th daughter.

After the move to Abbotsford in 1973 Leona worked in a print shop, where John was part owner. In 1978 a call to the mission field brought them first to Brussels, Belgium for language study, then to Zaire (now called Democratic Republic of the Congo), where they served as hostel parents and then as administrators, responsible for all the other missionaries within the country. They returned to Canada after a four-year stay.

In 1978 their first of six grandchildren were born and in 2005, great grandchildren joined the family. Leona’s seven great grandchildren affectionately called her “Super Grandma”.

After returning from the mission field, Leona decided to go back to college to become a Library Technician, graduating in 1986 along side her daughter Debbie. Leona worked in several part time library positions in several schools and at Western Pentecostal Bible School (now called Summit Pacific College).

To celebrate their retirement in 1999, John and Leona embarked upon many trips that took them to the far corners of the world.

Leona enjoyed serving the Lord which included being a leader in Pioneer Girls, Sunday School Teacher, Care groups and choir. She was always willing to help out whenever the need arose, which included knitting prayer shawls. Hobbies of Leona’s included sewing, knitting, crocheting, liquid embroidery and stamp collecting, and she loved singing in various choirs.

In 2015, Leona was diagnosed with cancer, and after treatment, remained in remission until July 2021. As her health declined, her desire to be with her Lord and Saviour was never stronger and on May 27th Leona went home to be with the Lord.

Leona is survived by her husband John Krause, brother Norman, her daughters Debora Krause, Jacqueline (David) Rempel, Leanne (Tim) Neufeld, Pamela (Paul) Nieuwland, grandchildren Melanie (Grant) Leippi, Michelle (Kirk) Hanshaw, Amanda (Jonathon) Froese, Cody (Hailey) Neufeld, Tyson Neufeld, Joshua (Chelsea) Nieuwland. Great grandchildren Madeleine and Morgan Leippi, Benjamin, Liam, Elias and Nathaniel Froese and Mars Neufeld.

Leona is predeceased by her parents, Isaak and Anna Bergen, and by siblings Menno, Rosa, Tony, Emma, Edna, Verna and Bruno.

A service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, June 6 at 2 o’clock at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, 3471 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford.

In memory gifts may be made to MCC Canada.