Margaret
Janzen was born April 24, 1921, the eldest child of Abram D. and Margaretha
Thiessen, in the village of Chortitz, Manitoba, Canada. After moving to Mexico
with her parents and returning again to Canada, she grew up in the Chortitz,
Blumstein and Schanzenfeld areas of Manitoba. She was baptized upon the
confession of her faith on June 1,1941, by Bishop Jacob Froese at the Chortitz
Old Colony Mennonite Church. On July 7, 1955, she married Jacob J. Janzen.
Together they moved to Rosengart, where they farmed and resided until 1999,
after which they moved to Winkler. Her husband Jacob passed away suddenly in
April of 2000. They were blessed with 44 years of marriage. The move from Rosengart to Winkler and her husband’s passing away were traumatic for her. Changes were difficult for Margaret. Together with regular home care assistance, she was able to continue residing at Sun Valley Bay. After experiencing a number of health challenges in her later years, it was only in November of 2003 that her condition seriously deteriorated. She was hospitalized on May 3, 2004. Only three days after being diagnosed with cancer, she passed away, on May 15, 2004, 12:15 pm.
Margaret was able to visit with her siblings, in-laws, and friends till the day she died.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Jacob, 3 brothers- Abram Thiessen, Jacob Thiessen, and Bernhard Thiessen, and 2 sisters, Katherine Peters and Aganetha Buhler. She leaves to mourn her passing and is survived by 6 brothers- Peter Thiessen of Altona, Diedrich and Anna Thiessen of Alberta, John Thiessen of B.C., Cornelius and Annie Thiessen of Bolivia, Henry and Helen Thiessen of Bolivia, George and Marlene Thiessen of Bolivia, and 5 sisters- Elizabeth and Peter Janzen of Winkler, Mary and Henry Elias of Stuartburn, Helena and William Elias of Bolivia, Susan and Philip Gerbrandt of Grunthal, and Annie Wieler of Bolivia, the Janzen in-laws, many nieces and nephews, and friends.
Not having a family of her own, Margaret was very close to her relatives and her many friends. She was always concerned that she would have very good food prepared for any and all guests. Gardening was also a great enjoyment for her.
She very much appreciated all her home care workers, her contact person/niece, Margaret Regier, special assistant Agnes Elias, and the Janzen brothers-in-law that helped her in many ways.