NETTIE LABUN BROWN (PENNER) -

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NETTIE LABUN BROWN (nee PENNER) 1907 - 2003 Nettie was born in Herbert, SK. When she was sixteen her grandmother, mother and one sister died in a typhoid epidemic. Her father remarried and soon moved the family to Winkler, MB. She stayed in Saskatchewan to continue high school and begin teacher training in 1925. For five years Nettie taught in the Herbert area and also the Winkler area. She loved teaching. In August 1930, she married fellow teacher Gerhard (George) Labun and they started a family. Unable to support the family on a teaching salary in the depression, they turned to farming in 1937. They owned farms at Gnadenthal, Marquette and Roland in Southern Manitoba. In 1957 Nettie and George both returned to teaching, leaving son Art to run the farm. They worked as colleagues in two or three room Indian Day Schools, first near Libau, MB and then in Northern B.C. Retiring in 1969, they attended Three Hills Bible Institute together for two years. Then they began a voluntary service assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators south of Oaxaca, Mexico. Nettie provided Kindergarten for the little children of the staff. In June 1972, their oldest son Dr. Clarence Labun died fairly suddenly of cancer at age 39, leaving wife Lydia and two children. He had begun pioneering work as Medical Director of Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler, MB. This tragedy was followed by another when her husband George died of cancer in December 1973. They had hurried home from Mexico a few months earlier and moved into the High Rise Apartments in Winkler, to facilitate care for George. The block was intended for seniors who might need assistance. As an able and relatively young widow of 66, Nettie was a very active resident. She served on the Board of Heritage Village, which includes the High Rise. She continued her teaching through the Mailbox Club of Child Evangelism Fellowship. For many years, she was Chair of the Missionsschwesternverein at Winkler MB Church. She gathered her children and grandchildren around her at the High Rise as well as going to their homes to stay for visits. A friend offered her gardening space and from this could eat and preserve fresh produce. At age 79, she was surprised and delighted by romance and married Frank Brown, well known Winkler teacher and historian. He was a widower and fellow resident in the High Rise. They were very happy together. When Franks Alzheimers meant she could no longer look after him he moved to Salem Home. For five years, she tried to visit him every day, made possible by her sister Lyndas driving her there and back. Gradually she needed Home Care herself. It was difficult for her to accept the passing of Frank in January 2002. She moved into Salem Home in June 2002. Once again she participated fully in all program activities and continued to welcome and charm all with her gentle wry humour. She had been in good health most of her life and was a strong walker. However her body began to fail in the last months and strength of purpose and faith no longer commanded it. On August 12, 2003 her spirit slipped away to be with her Maker and Saviour from whence it came. Nettie was a devoted wife and mother. She took interest in people and loved to teach, especially children. She was fluent in Low German, High German and English and had lived and served in many locations. Her strong Christian faith carried her through many hardships and gave her joy in spite of trials. Despite some memory loss her hospitable spirit and sense of humour continued to the end. The family wishes to express thanks to all who cared for her, most especially her sister Lynda Dyck, and the staff of Salem Home, Home Care, the Winkler Senior Centre, and the High Rise. She leaves to mourn her passing her two daughters, Lenora and husband Bert Suss of Steinbach; Evelyn Labun of Grand Forks, ND; two sons, Arthur and wife Margaret Labun of Winnipeg; Albert and wife Nettie Labun of Winnipeg; daughter-in-law Lydia (Clarence) Labun of Abbottsford, B.C.; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; children of Frank Brown; Helen and husband David Janzen; Dorothy and husband Bill Enns; and family. Viewing will be held at Wiebe Funeral Home, 121 8th St. Winkler, from 1:00 p.m. till 9 p.m., and at the church prior to the service. Funeral service will be held Sunday, August 17 3:00 p.m. at Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church, Pineview and Pembina, with Pastor Kelvin Dyck and Pastor James Peters officiating. Interment will follow at the Bloomfield-Rosewell Cemetery. Donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship or to Manitoba Pioneer Camp. Wiebe Funeral Home Winkler in care of arrangements. 204-325-4201.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2003