MARIA QUIRING (KLASSEN)

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MARIA QUIRING (nee KLASSEN) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Maria Quiring on August 25, 2014 at Bethania Personal Care Home, at the age of 87. Maria was predeceased by her husband Henry, her sister Anna, and brothers-in-law Henry and David, as well many brothers and sisters-in-law from Henry's family in Canada. Maria will be lovingly remembered by her seven children, John, Justina (Rudy), Henry (Paddy), Jake (Cathy), Lisa, Walter (Angie), and Annie; 15 grandchildren Kevin, Sean, Lori (Erwin), Christopher (Melanie), Michael, David, Christine, Janet (Derek), Danielle, Richard, Jenelle, Erik, Julie, Samantha, and Sarah; nine great-grandchildren Mia, Simon, Sophie, Nathaniel, Audrey, Zoey, Garrett, Kieran, and Riley. Maria is survived by her siblings Justina, Agnes, John (Mary), Lisa (John), Jakob (Tina) and Nick (Jessie), and numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Russia, and Germany. Maria was born in Nickoleifeld, Ukraine on February 27, 1927 to Maria and John Klassen. She was the oldest of seven children. Maria's life is an incredible story of survival, strength, love and faith. There were many struggles and difficulties, but Mom overcame these with her faith and determination. Mom grew up in Russia during the hard times of war and hunger. She married Henry on March 8, 1951 in Sakhalin, Russia, and settled in Slavgorod, Russia until July 4, 1967 when the family immigrated to Canada with seven children (aged six months to 16 years old). This was an incredible sacrifice and a leap of faith for Mom and Dad to leave behind her mother and siblings to begin a life in Canada. Mom had many passions in her life including the outdoors, gardening, baking, and sewing. A large part of Mom's life was the church, especially the Sargent Avenue Ladies' group. Mom cherished family, being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her best medicine'. A special thank you is extended to the staff at Bethania and Irene Baron Centre for the loving care of Mom. Funeral service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, 926 Garfield Street, Winnipeg. Viewing will be held on Thursday, August 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg. Interment to follow at Springstein Cemetery. If so desired, donations can be made to Mennonite Central Committee. We are thankful to God for giving us a loving, caring, generous, kind mother and Omi.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 27, 2014