Katherine Neufeld

KATHERINE NEUFELD (JANZEN)

(1918 – 2016)

Katherine was born to Peter and Maria Janzen, the 5th of 10 children nearly a century ago.  The Janzens were a farming family living in Eigenheim.  Katherine grew up with strong ties to church and community.  The Janzen home was open to all - travellers, guests, and strangers who needed a meal or lodging.  Their farm would be considered self-sufficient, growing their own grain, vegetables and fruits, milk from the dairy and meat from animals.  Each child would contribute their efforts toward this end. Katherine continued in this vein when she married Jacob Neufeld, a farmer from Dundurn.  They settled on the Schwager Farm #2 which had become a settlement point for a number of Mennonites from Russia.  They became members of the Pleasant Point Community and participated in church and school activities.  Their neighbours became their friends, and Neufeld relatives lived nearby.  They raised their 3 children on the farm. Katherine loved nature, never missing an opportunity to comment on the clouds, the sky or other observations she made.  She enjoyed a good sense of humour, finding laughter in everyday events.  She had a strong sense of order and took great care in how things should unfold.  She enjoyed reading and took an interest in global affairs. In the 60’s they retired from farming and moved to Saskatoon.  They had a house built, made new friends they met through bowling, church and local activities.  Katherine even took on a job for a short time while Jacob went to the farm or to Market Mall for coffee. They took great pleasure in travelling while on the farm to Alberta and B.C.  Their interests were split – Katherine’s was definitely the mountains, nature, etc., while Jake’s was getting fruit in B.C.  They later visited destinations some of which now have travel advisories.  This was Katherine’s greatest pleasure – to see the world, her appetite unrelenting.  After Jake passed away, she decided she would continue travelling.  She packed up her nebulizer and headed out to Alaska.  This ambitious trip led her to a number of remote spots where she saw sights that so intrigued her.  Once travel was no longer an option, she resorted to her atlases which never left her side.  Katherine is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Lois Wiens, Erin, Mark Wiens (Darlene Van Brabant), Ethan, Nate; Arthur (Ella) Neufeld, Audrey Ambrus (Tim), Rachel & Derek, Brenda Paul (Darrell), Gina and Ian; Chrisy Dziadul (Neil), Maddison, Connor and Michael; Julia Puff (Ronald), Herman, Sylas.  She is also survived by sister, Helen Klassen, brother, Willie and Helen Janzen, sister-in-law, Helen Unrau and brother-in-law, Herman Klassen.  She was predeceased by her husband, Jacob Neufeld, and son-in-law, Eric Wiens;  also by her parents, Peter and Maria Janzen, 7 siblings and their spouses, 5 brother and sister in laws and their spouses.

Happy Journey, Katherine

The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 24 at First Mennonite Church, 418 Queen Street.  Interment will follow at Pleasant Point Cemetery near Clavet, SK.  Arrangements in care of David Schurr - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (306-978-5200)