LILLIAN STOBBE

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LILLIAN STOBBE Lillian Stobbe, 83, of North Kildonan, MB passed away on December 4, 2014, after a short illness. She was born in Agassiz, British Columbia, on August 18, 1931, to Peter J. and Marie E. Stobbe, staying single all her life. At age four, her family moved into a pioneering community in Abbotsford, BC. After graduation from the Mennonite Educational Institute in Clearbrook, BC, Lillian worked at the Abbotsford Post Office for eight and a half years. She obtained her BRE degree at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College, moving to Hillsboro, KS to work at the M.B. Board of General Welfare. Four years later found her in Germany with the Cornie Balzers in their radio ministry. She returned to Winnipeg in 1970 to serve as bookkeeper and secretary to the president at Mennonite Brethren Bible College, a position she held for 27 years. After retirement, Lillian became an invaluable volunteer for Family Life Network (now Square One Media), the Ten Thousand Villages store, and River East MB Church. Lillian loved her church (River East M.B.) and was a consistent supporter. Beyond the church, Lillian was also an active member of Christian Business and Professional Women's organization, including a stint as president, and was a long-term committee member of the Singles Fellowship (Inter-Mennonite). For some years she served on the board of the Mennonite Community Orchestra as secretary/bookkeeper. For 44 years Lillian belonged to a singles bowling club. In 2005 Lillian moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Parkside Plaza, North Kildonan, where she developed a new circle of friends. Lillian loved her nephews and nieces, remembered their birthdays and stayed in touch with them. She leaves behind her brother Leslie and his wife Rita, with their daughter Carol and husband Dale, son Max and daughter Rebecca; son Gerald and his wife Lorraine and their daughters Bethany, Lillie, and Charlotte; a sister, Wilma Friesen (husband John is predeceased); Ruth Stobbe, her predeceased brother Vernon's wife, with daughter Dawn Marie and husband Shinichi Matsui, daughter Kumiko with husband Arlo Borgnino, son Chris with wife Hisako, and sons Shinjiro, Kenji, and Yuji; her brother Elmer and his wife Wilma, with daughter Sandra and husband Bill, and son Colin, with his wife Lenora (a son, Russell, predeceased ) and son Joseph; plus many cousins and families. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the River East Mennonite Brethren Church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2014