Judith Siemens (nee Froese)

Obituary

Judith Elizabeth Siemens nee Froese, 73 of Winkler, Manitoba passed away at the Boundary Trails Health Centre at 12:32 pm Friday, May 18, 2018. She was surrounded by family, with many of her siblings and in-laws by her side singing, “Oh, what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face the One who saved me by His grace.” Judith loved the Lord, and her faith never wavered through this time of knowing where she was soon going, amongst excruciating pain.

Judith loved her calling as a nurse and health caregiver, operating two medical clinics at the time of her passing – one at 3M Canada in Morden where she was also in charge of the Occupational Health Care Services, and another medical clinic at Homestead South at Morden, MB. Most recently, under the direction of Manitoba Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen, she served on the board of directors of the Southern Manitoba Regional Health Board under the current government, a calling that exemplified the work God called her to when she entered the Misericordia School of Nursing in Winnipeg in 1964. She participated fully in the 50th anniversary in June 2017.

Whether ironic or fitting, Judith spent her last two weeks at the Boundary Trails Health Centre receiving exceptional care, professional help, and love. She always let the health care professionals know of her working status as a nurse and encouraged them to do their best while not expecting any special treatment, showing her astuteness and clarity of personal health issues to the very end.

When Judith graduated from the school of nursing, Dr. C.W. Wiebe hired her to work in the Operating Room of the Bethel Hospital in Winkler, MB, eventually becoming the Director of Nursing. Her career moves took her to Altona, Winnipeg, Morden and many points in between.

When Judith applied to become a director on the Southern Manitoba Health Board, she summarized her thoughts on her lifelong career:

“I have had a lifelong interest in health care, having worked all of my life in the field representing all aspects: patient care, family involvement, and working with physicians, nurses, educators, administrators, and board members. A primary concern is in how well the health system is serving our public, and whether the human and monetary resources are being applied at the right places. Wherever I was involved, it was important for me to see progress, changes for improvement, and not change for the sake of change. Health care is advancing continuously, and it is important we keep up with what is happening in that arena. It is important that the appropriate health advances get moved forward.”

Judith believed, and it showed, that she had the communication, leadership, organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and personal insight to develop new entities within the field of health. One of the initiatives she was involved with was establishing and organizing the first rural Alzheimer office in Manitoba, serving as the coordinator.

In addition, she served in a variety of leadership positions within healthcare including:

• Director of Nursing at the Bethel Hospital in Winkler
• Director of Nursing at the Ebenezer Personal Care Home in Altona, where she directed and oversaw a significant expansion of the healthcare facility.
• Elected to the Joint Board of Directors for the Altona Medical Health Centre and the Ebenezer Personal Care Home as the need for those facilities continued to grow.
• Appointed as Vice Chair of the board of directors of the Ebenezer Units in Altona.
• Member of the board of directors of the National Alzheimer’s Society.
• Elected to the Board of directors for the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses, serving as the Chair of the Manitoba Association of Registered Nurses Annual Meeting Committee.
• Appointed to the Ministers Advisory Board for Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health, for several terms.
• Instrumental in organizing the Salem Home Staff Association.
• Occupational Health Nurse at 3M Canada, Morden from 2001 to April 5, 2018.
• On-site nurse at Homestead South (Assisted Living), Morden, since 2013 developing a private health clinic.

Judith loved her grandchildren immensely and attempted to take them for burgers, ice cream, and fries whenever possible’ also, giving them gifts that they wanted and appreciated. She was so happy too when her two daughters, Lynn and Laurelle, married husbands that followed Christ’s teachings.

Judith accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour early in her life and received the assurance of salvation. This assurance was a great gift to her and remained with her to the end. Even during her immense suffering and pain in the last five weeks, her faith in Jesus never wavered. Her faith was an integral part of who she was and what she did. Just like her father, she lived out her lifelong motto, “To serve and to be of service” without expecting or receiving anything in return.

Her great love for music and singing with her sisters and in-laws was most important to her and she organized their last musical outing before Christmas 2017, sharing the gospel message in song and deed at Homestead South.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Siemens, her daughters, Lynn [Luke Elder], Laurelle [Kevin Loewen] six grandchildren, Josh, Luke, Riley, Eric, Noah and Abigail Loewen; six sisters and three brothers, Mary [Jack Siemens], Margaret [Melvin Klassen], Esther Anne [Terrance Klassen], Susan [Ben Dueck], Cathrine [Stephen Klassen], Jack (Dianne, nee Dyck], Netha [Henry Dyck], John [Lottie, nee Ens], Alan [Sandy, nee Dyck]; two sisters-in-law, Doreen [Wayne Penner]; and Elma [Abe Janzen deceased]; Uncle Frank and Edna Peters, John and Dorothy Peters of Steinbach and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and work-related colleagues.

She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob [JM] and Mary Froese, parents-in-law, Henry [HC] and Annie Siemens and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We appreciate the care and medical attention by the medical staff at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg greatly and locally, the Boundary Trails Health Centre.

1 John 5:13 – These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00PM on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at the Pembina Valley Baptist Church, Winkler. Viewing will be from 1-6:30PM on Tuesday at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler and at the church prior to the service. Interment to follow at the Reinfeld Cemetery.