LYDIA FOTH (FRIESEN)

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LYDIA FOTH (nee FRIESEN) March 27, 1939 - March 3, 2012 On March 3, 2012, Lydia went home peacefully to glory to meet her Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, with her husband at her bedside. She is survived by her husband Herbert Foth with whom she shared 51 and one half years of married life, two sons, Anthony and wife Chiemi with granddaughter Christina, Richard and wife Luana, as well as many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings. Lydia was born on March 27, 1939 in Schoenau, Ukraine. The Friesen family was able to leave Schoenau on October 30, 1943 and arrived in Germany on December 16 of the same year, where they lived until the family boarded the ship Heinzelmann headed for Canada, on October 7, 1947. The family arrived at Halifax on October 16, 1947. Their destination was Sandford, Manitoba. The family settled in Springstein and later moved to Winnipeg where they found employment. Herbert and Lydia met at the Southend MB Church youth group in Winnipeg, where Lydia had been baptized on the confession of her faith and where she enjoyed serving the Lord in choirs and other small singing groups. On August 13, 1960, Lydia married Herbert, the love of her life, at the same church. For two years they lived in Winnipeg before moving to Niverville, where they built a new house and raised their two sons, Anthony and Richard. Once the two boys were in school, Lydia pursued part-time employment, which gave her the desired option to be at home when the boys came home from school. This employment included tutoring a physically handicapped girl, as well as selling World Book Encyclopedias. Her trip to Hawaii was the result of a sales promotion she won. In Niverville she joined the MB Church and was active in the Pioneer Girls ministry as well. Lydia was very supportive of our sons' education, which resulted in Anthony graduating from Providence College and Richard from the University of Manitoba. In 2001, Lydia became ill with Alzheimers and Dad took care of her at home until June 24, 2003. She was admitted to the Bethesda Personal Care Home in Steinbach and lived there until her passing to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the age of 72 years, 11 months, and five days. The Herbert Foth family is grateful to the staff at Bethesda Place for the loving and compassionate care Lydia received over the past eight and one half years. The funeral service will be held Monday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m., at the Mennonite Brethren Church, 340 2nd St., Steinbach with viewing prior to the service. A private family burial will take place at the Hespeler Cemetery in Niverville. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 10-120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or to the Family Life Network, 225 Riverton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2L 0N1. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2012