Annie Schroeder (nee Derksen)
Obituary
Annie Schroeder (nee Derksen), age 85, of Grunthal, MB, passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.
Mom was the oldest of eight siblings. Born to Aaron and Helen Derksen on July 12th, 1933 in Altona, MB. Mom reached the age of 85 years and just shy of 6 months.
Mom’s growing up years were spent in a number of places within the province of Manitoba including Altona, Oakpoint and Grunthal. She was baptized upon the confession of her faith on June 7th, 1954, by Bishop Peter S. Wiebe. Mom and Dad were married 2 years later, on July 22nd, 1956 by Rev Jacob Schellenberg at the Grunthal Chortizer Church. Mom and Dad were married for 53 and a half years when Dad passed away on December 27th, 2010.
Shortly after that, Mom moved from the home where she and Dad lived for 20 years, on Park Street in Grunthal, then to Greendale Estates just a few blocks up the street, where she had lived for the past 8 years.
She is survived by her four sons and their wives, John & Mary of Grunthal, Bill & Anne of Miami, Jake & Sarah of Dundurn, SK. & Ben & Kathy of Grunthal; 12 grandchildren, six of who are married, 17 great-grandchildren, two brothers and four sisters.
Mom stood by Dad’s side faithfully serving in ministry for many years.
Some of the things we remember Mom enjoying were gardening, blueberry picking, flowers and reading until her eyes failed to the point of not being able to read. That’s when she switched to listening to audio CDs.
She also enjoyed sewing. As a matter of fact, as we wrote this up, we had a chuckle about her loving the color blue to the point where she sewed us boys matching suits in a memorable color of blue.
She also enjoyed nature. Of course, she had little choice with a husband and four boys who loved hunting, fishing and the outdoors. She loved it when we would bring fish home so she could have a fish fry.
Mom was a hard worker. We remember Dad being off to work in the city and Mom managing the dairy farm at home while raising us.
Among the many things Mom loved, there were things she highly valued such as serving her family, and loving the Lord. She was a woman of quiet faith but her trust in the Lord was very evident.
In the past few years, she was admitted to the hospital several times with various health issues. On Thursday, January 3rd, we brought her to the hospital one last time with what was diagnosed as respiratory infection as well as influenza. The Lord took her home to be with Him on Monday, January 7th, 2019 at approximately 4:50 in the morning. We, as a family, are content knowing that this is what Mom has been waiting for….to be with Dad in their eternal home in Heaven.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 7:00-7:30 p.m. followed by a devotional at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at New Bothwell Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, New Bothwell, MB with a viewing prior to the service. Interment will take place at the church cemetery.
Donations in memory of Annie may be made to the Menno Home for the Aged – (in memo line: Chaplaincy Fund), Box 280, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0.
