ABRAM J. KRAHN

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ABRAM J. KRAHN On Monday, December 27, 2004 at 23:45 p.m. Abram J. Krahn, lately of Donwood Manor, entered his heavenly home at the age of 95. He had out lived all eight of his siblings and their spouses by a number of years. Dad was born in Georgstal, Fuerstenland, Ukraine on September 1, 1909. His father and younger brother had died within a few days of each other when he was five years old. Two years later their home and barn were burned to the ground. These were turbulent times in Russia. At the age of 17, dad, with his mother and younger sister came to Canada with borrowed money. His first goal was to repay their travel debts. He began to farm at Rivers, always enjoying hard physical labour. He took great pride in living off the land. He harrowed his last field at the age of 90. On June 17, 1934, Abe married Margaret Tiessen whose family had also emigrated from Russia a year before he did. He was predeceased by his loving wife of almost 65 years in May of 1999. Dad moved into Arlington Haus in Winnipeg that November, and though physically quite healthy his memory began to deteriorate. In June, 2003 he became a resident in the personal care home at Donwood Manor. Abe is survived by two sons, John (Elsa), Abe (Esther); and daughter Margaret (Dr. Don Peters); 11 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. Dad's Christian faith was very important to him, and set the standard of how he lived; honesty, always hardworking, owe no man anything, help others, thrifty. These values are being passed on to the fourth generation. Dad was active in the local Rivers Mennonite Church for many years as a deacon and secretary treasurer, in later years also as caretaker of church property and cemetery. The family would like to express their appreciation first to the staff of Arlington Haus for their kindness to him. More recently, very special thanks to all the staff at Donwood Manor for the care dad received in the last year and a half. The friendly attention, good food, wonderful extracurricular programs, especially music, the special parties, and clean tidy environment always left us feeling confident of the first rate care he was receiving. Thank you! Funeral services have taken place on Friday, December 31 at Grace Mennonite Church in Brandon, MB with interment at Rivers. Donations in Abe's memory may be made to the Gideons for Bible distribution or to Acres of Hope, the River's Project for Canadian Food Grain's Bank.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2005