KORNELIUS ABRAHAMS

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KORNELIUS ABRAHAMS January 18, 1925 - March 14, 2009 Kornelius Abrahams passed away peacefully on March 14, 2009 at age 84 at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg. He was born on January 18, 1925 in Siberia, Russia to Kornelius and Katherina Abrahams, where he lived until age 1. The family returned to the Molotschna Colony, Ukraine where they farmed and his love of farming began. Shortly after turning 16, he was conscripted into the Russian army. One year later, he returned home. During the Second World War, as the German army retreated, the family also moved with the army and ended up in Poland where he was forced to join the German army for eight months before the war ended. Following the end of the war he spent time in a prison camp in Italy, then was sent to England to help pay off the war debt. In 1948 Kornelius moved to Paraguay, where he met Sara Peters and they married in June 1949. During their time in Paraguay, Sara and Kornelius had eight of their nine children. He also became involved in the Mennonite Brethren Church as a Deacon along with his wife. At that time, he was able to fulfill his dream of farming and also joined MEDA, which helped grow the economy in the area. In November 1960, he achieved his second dream of moving to Canada, where the family settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Upon arriving in Winnipeg the family joined the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church where he became involved in many different areas. He worked at several jobs to provide for his family before he ended up working as a shop foreman for a window manufacturer. Kornelius spent his retirement years focused on both friends and family. He enjoyed working around the yard and going for walks. His strong character and faith served him well throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Sara, children Elvira (Martin), Magdalena (Gerhard), Anna (John), Harry (Catherine), Martha (Max), Luise, Beate (Lionel), and Ruth, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, as well as numerous relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter Kaethe and one granddaughter, also parents and four siblings. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, 145 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg. Viewing will be held prior to the service. Interment will take place at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens following the service. Donations may be made to the Family Life Network.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2009