Annie Hamm Janzen

Annie Janzen (nee Hamm) was born in Nickolaipol, Ukraine on August 8, 1921. Her parents were Peter and Lydia Hamm (nee Nickel). Her mother was born July 21, 1896 in Kasun, Poland. Her father was sent into exile in 1938. It meant great suffering for the family . . . and they did suffer greatly. They never saw their father again. So many had to go the same route. Annie was 16 at that time and her brother Andreas 13 years old. Andreas was named after grandfather, Andreas Nickel.

In 1941 the war broke out between Germany and Russia. Andreas was assigned to be a translator at age 17. He went missing in 1942 and was not heard from again.

Annie was able to attend school to the seventh grade.

In September 1942, she, along with many girls, was sent to Berlin, Germany to work.

Her mother was left on her own, alone . . . all her family members were gone. Her mother came to Poland in 1943. The Christmas of 1944 Annie was able to visit her. Later, her mother managed to come to Germany and in 1946 after the war, they moved to Barsinghausen, 20 km from Hanover. On September 28, 1948 Annie was baptized on the confession of her faith in the Brethern Church in Gronau, Westfallen.

Her baptism verse was from Ephesians 5: 1-2. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as fragrant aroma.”

In 1949 they emigrated to Rosthern, Saskatchewan to her mother’s brothers, Ewald and Leonard Nickel. Including her mother, there were 10 siblings in the Nickel family. They were kindly received and for that they were very grateful.

Sometime later she moved to Abbotsford, BC where she met Heinrich Janzen. Heinrich was born August 26, 1913 in Neuendorf, Southern Russia. He was the oldest of four sons.

His parents were Abram and Maria Janzen. Heinrich’s mother passed away when he was 8 years old. His father then married our grandmother Anna Braun, a widow with four daughters, Katya, Anganetha, Anna and Sara. The nephews and nieces here are all children and grandchildren of the named last three sisters. One remaining daughter of our grandmother Anna who is also an Anna (Koop) is with us here today.

Heinrich’s first wife, while still in Russia, was Netha Hildebrandt. They had three daughters while living in Neuendorf. During the unrest of the war they fled to Wartegau where Heinrich was conscripted into the German army and later became a prisoner of war.

Meanwhile his wife, Netha, and the three girls were sent back to Russia in 1945.

Netha and the youngest daughter, Anna, starved to death and Maria (Masha) age 11 and Anganetha (Natasha) age 12 were put into an orphanage in Melenki, Russia 300 km from Moscow. They grew up, were married, had their families and still reside in Melenki.

Between Masha and Natasha, Heinrich Janzen had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After his release from prison camp, Heinrich came to Leer, Germany in 1947. It was here that he was baptized on the confession of his faith.

In 1948 Heinrich emigrated to Canada and first worked at the Evans’ farm and later found work in Vancouver. It was here in Abbotsford that Heinrich met and courted Annie. They were married on November 7, 1954. Two sons were born to them: Peter Heinrich on June 27, 1956 and Henry Frank May 10, 1959. Annie enjoyed caring for the boys. They went to school at North Poplar and later to High School.

Heinrich and Anna had purchased a farm on Marshall Road where they farmed chickens and berries. They joined the West Abbotsford Church in 1960 and later the Ebenezer Mennonite Church. The years passed. Heinrich fell ill with cancer in 1981, but by the time he was diagnosed, no one could help him. Pastor Tilitzky came frequently and helped him through spiritual struggles. Heinrich died June 13, 1982.

It was a difficult time for Annie, but the loving Saviour did not leave her. He gave her strength in those difficult times. She was thankful that Jesus had also died for her sins---

Just as I am without one plea

But that thy blood was shed for me

And that thou bidst me come to thee

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

In 1955 her mother joined them in BC and enjoyed 21 years in her own little house before her health began failing. In 1979 Annie’s mother moved to the Tabor Home where Annie would visit regularly also help look after her in any way she could. The Lord took her mother Lydia home August 1, 1992 at age 96.

On February 5, 1988 Annie received the horrific heartbreaking news of her younger son Henry’s death. This deep sorrow affected her for the rest of her life. A deep friendship was also taken from Peter, as the two brothers enjoyed each other’s company.

Henry had a beautiful daughter Courtney whom he deeply loved and treasured . . . one he would have done anything for. She would be close to 30 years old now.

Annie moved from the farm into a condo at the Wedgewood. There she met new friends and often sat with an older lady who got to be 104 years of age.

On Sundays she would regularly make chicken as she awaited Peter for lunch.

She enjoyed and spent hours at putting puzzles together.

It was probably during this time that she copied numerous poems and scripture verses into several books. Her script is even and beautiful.

Many of the verses speak to anguish, fear and seeking refuge; then confirmation of God's love, help, comfort, assurance and forgiveness for her.

Over the years Annie's health began to fail. She was hospitalized on June 24, 2011 and from there was moved to the Menno Home. It took a little time until she got settled in but soon was able to give a full account on how many residents there were and which ones spoke German. She also kept track of the length of time of my weekly visits. We sang together often. Toward the end it was mostly “Gott ist die Liebe”.

Over the many years we had celebrated all the aunts' birthdays; many at our home, some outside and inside at the Menno Home and even one at her home. With the devotionals we would have prayer. Tante Anna Koop, who still prays for each of us daily, would join in and pray over Annie Janzen. After those times Tante Annie's eyes would sparkle with happiness.

Annie's health took a further decline when she had a heart attack December 12 and a fall December 26, 2013. Though surgery was successful, she would never regain her walking ability. She would ask us to pray that the Lord would take her to heaven soon.

“Im Himmel, Im Himmel ist's schoen” she would repeat. That's where she wanted to go.

She spent just over 2 ½ years at the Menno Home. We thank the staff for the love, help and comfort they gave her . . . and the visits from Ingrid Schultz which were highlights.

During these years, Peter would come to see her daily and towards the end 3 times a day.

She was losing strength and was no longer eating.

On February 22, 2014 she sang “Gott ist die Liebe” for the last time.

On my last visit March 9 it was difficult to find her pulse, Peter was there, we knew she was going soon. He came early the next morning March 10, and sat with his mother as she breathed her last and her soul went to be with the Lord for eternity at 1:30 PM.

Annie leaves behind her loving son Peter, granddaughter Courtney, Masha, Natasha and her husband, their five children and 8 grandchildren, her sister-in-law Anna Koop and many nieces and nephews.

We, nephews and nieces of Tante Annie, are grateful to God for His love, faithfulness and strength He has given her through the almost 93 years. We are thankful to God who has taken her into His fold and into His rest.

Till we meet again Tante Annie!