SUSANA SIEMENS

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SUSANA SIEMENS (née BRAUN) January 28, 1929 - December 31, 2016 Early on the last day of 2016, angels gently carried our beloved family matriarch to her heavenly home. As peacefully as she lived her life, this daughter of God left our midst at the age of 87 years and 11 months. Susana was born to Johann and Helena (Froese) Braun in Schoenwiese, the ninth of 13 children. She received her elementary education in this southern Manitoba village and then attended Elim Bible Institute in Altona. Susana's exceptional homemaking skills were cultivated while she worked as a cook and nanny in Winnipeg. In June of 1948 she was baptised upon the confession of her faith. It was in southern Ontario that Susana met her future husband, Jacob P. Siemens. They were married on July 11, 1953, and enjoyed teacherages at Weidenfeld, Altbergthal and Hochstadt. It was exciting for them to build a house in Steinbach and then their large, dream home on Kokomo Road where they cared for several foster children/young adults. In their senior years, Susana and Jacob lived in Winnipeg and Niverville. The couple served as missionaries in places like Bolivia, Texas, Mexico and Ukraine. During 63 years of marriage they were able to travel extensively and foster many relationships. Susana was a powerful prayer warrior, interceding for each family member by name! Reading the Bible and writing in her journal were daily routines. She expressed her faith in church (Sunday School and ladies' fellowship groups) and community (Friendship Bible Coffee) involvement. Throughout her earthly existence Susana was strengthened by an unwavering belief in her salvation which includes eternal life. Hospitality was a special gift! Susana performed miracles in the kitchen, garden and at the sewing machine. This gracious hostess knew the basics of cooking Mennonite meals that schmecked and was a very successful, resourceful family manager. When Parkinson's disease gradually stole her mobility, Susana remained positive. She relied on God and the wonderful caregivers at Bethesda Place Personal Care Home in Steinbach where she resided since September 21, 2012. Celebrating Susana's love and legacy are her husband Jacob and seven children: Karen and Willie Peters (Kristel Peters and Daniel Thomas with Gunner and Otis; Kevin and Jennifer Peters with Myles and Jewel; Korey Peters and fiancé Alexandra Nohlgren); Daniel and Joyce Siemens (Jonathan and Nicole Siemens; Rachel Siemens; Timothy Siemens); Waldo Jac and Audrey Siemens (Brett and Natalie Siemens with Brody, Madison and Payton; Britta Siemens and partner Aaron Corris); Lois Siemens; Irma and Jordan Morgan (Evan Morgan; Jordan Morgan); Iris and Brian Kennedy (Noah Kennedy); Luella and Vernon Peters (Clinton and Larissa Kay Peters; Larissa Susan Peters). Susana is survived by four sisters and one brother as well as a host of extended family members and a large circle of friends. Meeting Susana in heaven are her parents, three brothers and four sisters, and grandsons Darcy, Mitchell and Genesis. Viewing will take place at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 5 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6 at Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Boulevard. Burial will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Schoenwiese Cemetery, a family graveyard in The Municipality of Rhineland, Manitoba. If you wish to honour Susana, perform an act of kindness for someone! Those who desire may make a donation in Susana's memory to Mennonite Central Committee or The Gideons International in Canada. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2017