Katherine Neufeld

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

KATHERINE (WIEBE) NEUFELD

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Katherine (Wiebe) Neufeld, on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at the age of 86, at the St Pierre-Jolys personal care home.

Katherine leaves to mourn: her two daughters: Joanne (John) Guenter and Irma (Lawrence) Bergen; five grandchildren: Lawrence (Mandy) Bergen, Marcus (Melanie) Bergen, James (Vanessa) Bergen, Trevor (Madelyn) Guenter, and Angela (Raphael) Lopez; nine great-grandchildren; three sisters: Helen, Mary, and Susan; two brothers: Aron and David; and one sister-in-law Mary.

She was predeceased by her husband Frank, two sisters: Elsie and Margaret; two brothers: Jake and Pete; four brothers-in-law: Pete, Abe, Abe, and Victor; and one sister-in-law Ann.

Katherine was ninth of ten children. She was born on the 9th of January 1928. She was born and raised around Niverville, Manitoba. After her three sisters married three brothers she was urged to marry the fourth brother, but accepted the hand of Frank Abram Neufeld in 1952 in the Chortize Church. They settled near Niverville where she worked on the farm caring for the chickens and pigs, milking cows, and raising two daughters. A few years later, they moved into town and she looked for work. She began her first job at Frank Harder's chicken barns. Later she also worked as a part-time janitor for William Dyck & Sons store, and at Keystone Hatchery for over 15 years. In 1972, Frank passed away. Katherine continued working till her retirement at age 55.

She was a hardworking, selfless, committed mother and wife who looked after her family's needs. Her genuine concern for the spiritual and physical welfare of others went beyond her family and into the world as she would give to several charities and missions.

Katherine enjoyed listening to music, playing piano, reading, discussing spiritual matters and current affairs, stitching needlepoint projects (of which there were many), gardening and planting flowers every year, and going for daily walks. She enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren by playing her mouth organ.

The time came when she no longer wanted the upkeep of a house and yard. So after living there for over 45 years, she sold it to her sister and brother-in-law and moved to Niverville Place for almost five years. She was hospitalized for six months before placement in a nursing home was found and she was moved to St Pierre-Jolys in the summer of 2011.

Katherine had several health problems in her years, however, she bounced back from them all and continued to surprise us all with her will to live despite decades of depression. She will be missed and always be loved. We thank the Lord for giving us a caring, praying, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who we know is received with open arms into heaven.

The funeral service for Katherine Neufeld will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with viewing at the chapel prior to the service. Burial will follow at Heritage Cemetery, Niverville, Manitoba.

We, the family, would like to express our appreciation to the staff of the St.Pierre-Jolys Personal Care Home for the wonderful care they gave to our mother.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Katherine may be made to Faith Mission.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on May 27, 2014