Tribute

Tina was born in southern Manitoba on October 20, 1923.   Her parents were Peter P. and Helena Redekopp who had fled the horrors of the communist revolution with their five children; Helen, Peter, John, Jake and Nettie.  Later, her younger sister, Anne joined the family farm in Gnadenthal. Through the influence of Tina’s parents and the Mennonite Brethren Church, Tina made the decision to follow Christ, and was baptized upon her confession of faith at age 17.  Her Christian commitment remained with her to the end of her days. She attended Winkler Bible School from 1943 to 1945 and then completed her final years of high school. After attending Teacher’s college, she taught for 27 years in various elementary schools in Steinbach and later in Winnipeg. There she met Bernhard Martynes and became a bride at age 48.  The happy couple was married on July 1, 1972. They later moved to Winkler to support Tina’s elderly parents. Besides enjoying their gardening projects, Tina and Bernhard  took on many aspects of leadership in the church and community during their 18 wonderful years together. After her husband’s death,Tina moved to Abbotsford in 1994.  Friendships in BC were renewed with former Manitobans, and she was courted by Dietrich Wiebe who had known her many years earlier.  Dietrich passed away a few brief months after their wedding in May 1995.  Since 1997, Tina has lived at Garden Park Tower. The congregations of Bakerview and Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church have nurtured her during this time. Her legacy is one of love and prayer support for each one of her 21 nieces and nephews.  On her 95th birthday in October, she enjoyed all the well-wishes that came her way.   After that milestone, her health became more fragile and she passed away peacefully on January 3, 2019.  Her memory is cherished by  family and friends and her one remaining sibling, Anne Braun.