Obituary of Margaret Franz

FRANZ: Margaret Warkentin was born in southern Russia on January 16, 1924. That summer she immigrated to Canada with her family, settling near Winnipeg. Within two years, the extended family joined them. She always enjoyed school and did well, finishing high school by correspondence. She taught for a year on permit immediately after Gr. 12 before attending Normal school. This led to a nine year career of teaching in one room country schools. She was baptized on May 20, 1945, at the Schoenfelder Mennonite Church in Pigeon Lake and was always active in the church, in the ladies groups and teaching Sunday School. After her family moved to Mountainside, they attended the Whitewater Mennonite Church where she met Peter. They were married on June 27, 1953 and were blessed with four children – Ruth, Arthur, Edward and Herbert. Margaret and Peter believed strongly in serving and helping others whenever possible. Together they served locally as well as in Hamilton, Colombia, Paraguay and Florida. Their caring also led them to become integrally involved in helping a refugee family settle in Canada. They were adopted as surrogate grandparents by this family. Margaret and Peter farmed a mixed farm, raising cattle and grain as well as maintaining a large orchard of apple trees. They retired to Brandon in 1989. In 2013, they moved from their house to Victoria Landing. Three years later, Peter moved to Hillcrest Care Home while Margaret moved to Oddfellows Lodge, conveniently located a block from the church. In June of 2018, she joined Peter at Hillcrest where they were once again able to live together. Peter and Margaret often spoke of how God had blessed them in so many ways and how fortunate they had been to enjoy 65 years together. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, one sister, two brothers, all of Peter's siblings and one daughter-in-law, Janice. She is survived by her husband, Peter; their children: Ruth and Al Nickel, their children Andrea (Ian), Tim (Caelie), Eric (Kerry) with Micah and Leah; Art Franz, Janice's children Katia (Sam) with Damaris and Corbin, Lindsay, Adrian (Melissa); Ed and Carol Gaeke Franz, their children Baden, Shelby; Herb and Joan Franz, their children Rey (Heidi), Hannah, Jeff. Also surviving are two sisters, one brother and his wife, three sisters-in-law, as well as the two families who had adopted them as their parents and grandparents - Deng Sengmany and her family, Seveng and Souda and their children. A Memorial Service was held at Grace Mennonite Church, Brandon, MB on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Ken Quiring officiating. Donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee Canada, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9.