DR. JENNIFER GWEN SIEMENS

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DR. JENNIFER GWEN SIEMENS Dr. Jennifer Gwen Siemens passed away suddenly on Friday, May 2, 2008, in Winnipeg. Jennifer was born September 3, 1961 in Winkler. She grew up on a farm near Plum Coulee. Her early education was in Plum Coulee and Winkler, with high school at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna. Her dream since childhood was to become a medical doctor, but her career path initially led her to a B.Ed. degree at the University of Manitoba, followed by a teaching job at the Fort Alexander Reserve. After a course of study in deaf education she taught for two years at the Manitoba School for the Deaf. In 1989 she enrolled at the University of Manitoba School of Medicine. After receiving her M.D. she took up a residency in Psychiatry, which she completed in 1998. That same year Jennifer met her husband, David Bergen. They were married April 24, 1999. Their son Daniel was born in 2000; son Jonah followed in 2003. Jennifer worked as a psychiatrist at Eden Mental Health Centre, Winkler, and at Klinic in Winnipeg before starting a private practice in her home. She had a passion and concern for patients with special needs, and made the treatment of adults with mental retardation her primary focus. She also acted as a consultant to several Community Living agencies and to the Manitoba Developmental Centre in Portage la Prairie. Jennifer's life was shaped by her deep Christian faith. But the journey was not always easy. She sought to follow the leading of God even as she struggled with depression. She found support in various Christian church communities, and was sustained by the friendship of many caring individuals. She in turn was able to be a supportive friend to many. Jennifer was a good listener and, as a psychiatrist, was able to identify with and sympathize with her patients in a special way. She was a wonderful mother to her two small boys, a loving wife to her husband, and a generous friend to all who needed her. Jennifer Siemens was predeceased by her father, Lawrence Siemens, in 1987. She is survived by her husband David Bergen; her two sons, Daniel and Jonah Bergen; mother Tina Siemens; sisters, Medora Siemens and Renetta Siemens; brother Lowell Siemens; and grandmother Aganetha Harder. Also left to mourn are many dear friends, relatives, colleagues, and patients. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street. The service will be followed by a lunch reception, with interment in Mennonite Memorial Gardens. Public viewing will be on Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:15 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg, and at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Association for Community Living-Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 06, 2008