KATHARINA (KROEGER) NEUFELD

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KATHARINA (KROEGER) NEUFELD May 30, 1921 - January 9, 2008 On Wednesday, January 9, Katharina Neufeld, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 86 years. Her husband Bernhard predeceased her in July 2005 and her first grandchild, Harold Mark, in May 1969. She leaves to mourn her children Victor (Rosula), Elfrieda Schroeder (Hardy), Irma, Bernhard (Jacqui), John (Linda), Ruth Jansen (Wally), Hertha Paetkau (Don) and Margaret Neufeld (Alain); 21 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers John Kroeger and Jake Kroeger of Calgary. Katharina was born in Chortitza, Ukraine, on May 30, 1921 ( the year of famine ) and just before Stalin's reign of terror. She survived those terrible years with the help of Mennonite Central Committee, which provided food once a day. On November 3, 1940, she married Bernhard Neufeld. On October 1, 1943, the family fled from Russia to Germany via Poland, living in various refugee camps. On February 1, 1947, they boarded the Dutch ship Volendam for Paraguay. Here they lived under the most adverse pioneer conditions. Mom was very happy when the family immigrated to Canada in June 1952, settling in Didsbury, Alberta. While Dad worked the night shift at the local creamery, Mom burned the midnight oil, keeping her family of eight children fed and clothed. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1964 where Dad was employed by DeFehr Furniture (now Palliser) until his retirement and Mom was a part-time employee at the Sears Tailor Shop in Polo Park. Our parents spent many years babysitting their grandchildren and hosting their large family. Together they lived in Winnipeg for just over 40 years, enjoying the peace and quiet they longed for all their lives. Things changed when Katharina lost her beloved husband in 2005. During her latter years Mom suffered from osteoporosis and osteoarthritis and her days were often filled with pain. However, she loved having family and friends drop in to play games and chat or have tea or coffee. Mom was able to stay in her own home and die in her daughter Irma's arms. She never ceased to praise this beloved caregiver, who gave herself unconditionally to Mom's care and well-being. The funeral will be held at the Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, 570 Sharron Bay, Winnipeg, MB, on Wednesday January 16, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Many thanks to Dr. Chris Loepp. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mennonite Central Committee will be gratefully accepted. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 Main Street 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 12, 2008