The following is posted in honour of my Aunt.
Margaretha Braun nee NikkelDecember 30, 1925
July 29, 2005
July 29, 2005
Margaretha was the first born to Peter and Margaretha Nikkel, in Siberia, USSR in 1925.
In 1930 this very young family had to escape into China and 2 years later they made their way to Paraguay. Life was very difficult, but Margaretha's faith in God helped her cope and survive.
Margaretha met her husband, Isaak, in Paraguay and they were married there on May 5, 1945.
Their 2 oldest children were born in Paraguay and after a few years of struggling to make a life there, they decided to move their family to Canada in 1958.
They began their new life in Winnipeg, Manitoba and here their third child was born in 1961.
Finding the weather too cold in Manitoba, they moved to Vancouver, BC in 1962.
Both Isaak and Margaretha worked hard for many years, which later, allowed them to take their motor home to California and Mexico, quite frequently, together with family and friends, many of which also shared their interest in fishing, camping and relaxing by the sea.
Something Margaretha loved to do before embarking on their annual trips to Mexico, was loading up the motor home with clothes from MCC and then generously give them to families that needed help. After her passing her family said that she still had enough clothes collected for at least 2 or 3 more trips.
In her retirement years, Margaretha was never idle! She continued to work until she was no longer physically able, with most of her time spent at the MC sorting, pairing and washing socks. Piles and piles of socks.... and became affectionately known as the "Sock Lady".
In the apartment block where she lived she befriended women who needed help with shopping and visits to the doctor. She was 70 years old at this time and the women she was helping were only a few years older but when she spoke of these friends she would always refer to them as the "Old Lady".
The loss of her oldest child in 2000 hit Margaretha very hard and she had barely recover from that sad event when her husband passed away in 2001, but she was determined to carry on.
She started going on short trips in the motor home by herself with her last trip being in July 2002 when she drove to Alberta to her grand-daughter, Denise's wedding.
With much faith, strength and willpower she bounced back from the loss of her loved ones and after a long life of struggles and hardships she finally recognized the one thing that was missing in her life and upon her Confession of Faith she was baptized in 2003 by Pastor Jacob Tilitzky and became a member at Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church.
It was shortly after her trip to Alberta that she started to have health problems. She stayed in her apartment as long as was possible but finally was moved to the Valhaven Seniors Home. Even there she was still determined to get better and get back on the road with her motor home.
Unfortunately she never recovered her health and passed into Eternity on July 29, 2005.
Margaretha is survived by 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
In 1930 this very young family had to escape into China and 2 years later they made their way to Paraguay. Life was very difficult, but Margaretha's faith in God helped her cope and survive.
Margaretha met her husband, Isaak, in Paraguay and they were married there on May 5, 1945.
Their 2 oldest children were born in Paraguay and after a few years of struggling to make a life there, they decided to move their family to Canada in 1958.
They began their new life in Winnipeg, Manitoba and here their third child was born in 1961.
Finding the weather too cold in Manitoba, they moved to Vancouver, BC in 1962.
Both Isaak and Margaretha worked hard for many years, which later, allowed them to take their motor home to California and Mexico, quite frequently, together with family and friends, many of which also shared their interest in fishing, camping and relaxing by the sea.
Something Margaretha loved to do before embarking on their annual trips to Mexico, was loading up the motor home with clothes from MCC and then generously give them to families that needed help. After her passing her family said that she still had enough clothes collected for at least 2 or 3 more trips.
In her retirement years, Margaretha was never idle! She continued to work until she was no longer physically able, with most of her time spent at the MC sorting, pairing and washing socks. Piles and piles of socks.... and became affectionately known as the "Sock Lady".
In the apartment block where she lived she befriended women who needed help with shopping and visits to the doctor. She was 70 years old at this time and the women she was helping were only a few years older but when she spoke of these friends she would always refer to them as the "Old Lady".
The loss of her oldest child in 2000 hit Margaretha very hard and she had barely recover from that sad event when her husband passed away in 2001, but she was determined to carry on.
She started going on short trips in the motor home by herself with her last trip being in July 2002 when she drove to Alberta to her grand-daughter, Denise's wedding.
With much faith, strength and willpower she bounced back from the loss of her loved ones and after a long life of struggles and hardships she finally recognized the one thing that was missing in her life and upon her Confession of Faith she was baptized in 2003 by Pastor Jacob Tilitzky and became a member at Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church.
It was shortly after her trip to Alberta that she started to have health problems. She stayed in her apartment as long as was possible but finally was moved to the Valhaven Seniors Home. Even there she was still determined to get better and get back on the road with her motor home.
Unfortunately she never recovered her health and passed into Eternity on July 29, 2005.
Margaretha is survived by 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Margaretha's Funeral Service took place on Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, BC
Officiating Pastor:
English - Jacob Tilitzky - Job 19:27
Eben-Ezer Mennonite Church, Abbotsford, BC
Officiating Pastor:
English - Jacob Tilitzky - Job 19:27
"Because Christ lives, death is not tragedy but TRIUMPH."
