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FRANZISKA (FRANCES) DERKSEN (FROESE)
Born: Aug 14, 1929
Date of Passing: May 04, 2018
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
FRANZISKA (FRANCES) DERKSEN (nee FROESE) Franziska (Frances) Derksen (nee Froese), passed away with family at her side, on May 4, 2018, at the age of 88 years in Winnipeg, Canada. Always independent, she chose to leave hospital and finish her fight with cancer in her beloved home of 58 years. Frances was born on August 14, 1929 in Ekaterinoslav, Ukraine. She was the first born of nine children. Her mother died when she was seven years old. Her formative years took place under the brutal oppression of the Russian regime, which gave way to the horrors of the Second World War. She watched Dresden burn as her family fled across Europe. At war's end, she was 15 years old and found herself living and working in the small German village of Hagedorn. They were hard times, but she considered it home and didn't want to leave when her family immigrated to Canada in 1948. Two months after Frances arrived in Manitoba, she got a letter from an admirer she had met in a German Immigration camp. She had been too shy to give him her address but the letter had found her. The admirer was Abram Derksen and he had copied her address from her luggage. His ingenuity worked as they were married in 1950, in Winnipeg. Frances was also baptized in 1950 in the Mennonite faith. Four children followed: Rudy Derksen (Irene), Marianne Toews (Peter), Frank Derksen (Rita) and Peter Derksen (Shannon). Her grandchildren are Caroline, Laura and Christine Derksen; Christopher, Nathan and Joel Toews; Frank, Mark and Colin Derksen; Quinn, Serena and Tess Derksen, along with five recent great-grandchildren. Tragically, her husband Abram died at 48 years of age of the same cancer that would take his loving wife 44 years and two days later. Frances never remarried and times were tough, but she was dedicated to raising her children and earning a living. The war had ended her education early, so at the age of 55 she went back to school and then college, and was very proud of her career as an administrative assistant with the Provincial Government. After she retired, she dedicated even more time to her ever growing family. She was still canvassing her neighbourhood for the Cancer Society well into her 80's. Right up to a few months before her passing, she was living independently in the house her husband built, shovelling snow, driving her friends to doctor appointments and teaching grandchildren how to use Facebook. She had a busy schedule but she always made time for family, friends and those in need; they were number one! Despite all the tragedies that her life encompassed, she did not feel sorry for herself. Instead, she believed: "God has blessed us more than I could have imagined". Celebration of Life, interment and reception, Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10:00 a.m., Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB. Memorial donations may be made in her name to CancerCare Manitoba.
Publish Date: May 12, 2018
FRANZISKA (FRANCES) DERKSEN (nee FROESE) Franziska (Frances) Derksen (nee Froese), passed away with family at her side, on May 4, 2018, at the age of 88 years in Winnipeg, Canada. Always independent, she chose to leave hospital and finish her fight with cancer in her beloved home of 58 years. Frances was born on August 14, 1929 in Ekaterinoslav, Ukraine. She was the first born of nine children. Her mother died when she was seven years old. Her formative years took place under the brutal oppression of the Russian regime, which gave way to the horrors of the Second World War. She watched Dresden burn as her family fled across Europe. At war's end, she was 15 years old and found herself living and working in the small German village of Hagedorn. They were hard times, but she considered it home and didn't want to leave when her family immigrated to Canada in 1948. Two months after Frances arrived in Manitoba, she got a letter from an admirer she had met in a German Immigration camp. She had been too shy to give him her address but the letter had found her. The admirer was Abram Derksen and he had copied her address from her luggage. His ingenuity worked as they were married in 1950, in Winnipeg. Frances was also baptized in 1950 in the Mennonite faith. Four children followed: Rudy Derksen (Irene), Marianne Toews (Peter), Frank Derksen (Rita) and Peter Derksen (Shannon). Her grandchildren are Caroline, Laura and Christine Derksen; Christopher, Nathan and Joel Toews; Frank, Mark and Colin Derksen; Quinn, Serena and Tess Derksen, along with five recent great-grandchildren. Tragically, her husband Abram died at 48 years of age of the same cancer that would take his loving wife 44 years and two days later. Frances never remarried and times were tough, but she was dedicated to raising her children and earning a living. The war had ended her education early, so at the age of 55 she went back to school and then college, and was very proud of her career as an administrative assistant with the Provincial Government. After she retired, she dedicated even more time to her ever growing family. She was still canvassing her neighbourhood for the Cancer Society well into her 80's. Right up to a few months before her passing, she was living independently in the house her husband built, shovelling snow, driving her friends to doctor appointments and teaching grandchildren how to use Facebook. She had a busy schedule but she always made time for family, friends and those in need; they were number one! Despite all the tragedies that her life encompassed, she did not feel sorry for herself. Instead, she believed: "God has blessed us more than I could have imagined". Celebration of Life, interment and reception, Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10:00 a.m., Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB. Memorial donations may be made in her name to CancerCare Manitoba. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca
Publish Date: May 10, 2018
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 12, 2018
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
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Papi and Muttie, another year passes and on this day May 3, I celebrate that you lie in the same place together again after 44 years apart. Yes Muttie I cleaned the marble, it’s looks great even 51 years later, that’s why you paid extra for it, I know! I gave you flowers and tree stems from our yard. I still have the sand from the beach where you swam as a child. I will reunite it with you some day when I can part with it. I miss you so very much. I’m nearly 60 and it still crushes me not to have you in my life. Papi what do I know of you, I was so young, I don’t even know what I don’t know about you, but I know there has always been a hole in my heart where you were supposed to teach me, guide me and love me. I have a piece of the building where you used to ride horses in the village where you were born. I will reunite that with you as well when I can part with it. I miss you both, thank you for giving me life and the best childhood that you could ever have imagined yourselves. - Posted by: Peter DERKSEN (Son) on: May 03, 2025
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To my amazing parents on the anniversary of their deaths, Papi yesterday and Muttie tomorrow. I have chosen to celebrate your lives on the day in between. I am back in Canada after a year in your birth countries fighting the evil that is once again risen there. I am sad to have returned before the country is free of invaders and I feel selfish and cowardly to have left. So many of my soldier friends and their families cannot simply leave to an amazing country like Canada to escape their fates. I continue to try and be as good a parent and citizen as you two were. I love you both and miss you very much. You would be so very proud of your grandchildren and great grandchildren. The legacy of your lives and marriage will live on forever. - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: May 03, 2024
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Hello Muttie and Papi. Muttie today is your 94th birthday. You would be so proud of all your grandkids and children. They are all very well. I went to your village again Papi. Amazingly that I stood on the German house and only property and German home of the only horse stables in the village before the war end of August as I know you loved horses and were the town expert at taming them I know you stood on that ground. I took some of it with me. Very special for me. Two very nice ladies gave me tours of Mennonite houses on the Main Street. Muttie I went to the beach again where you swam as you grew up. I have some of the sand. So I am still fighting in this war. I work hard everyday for Justice and freedom. The Ukrainian soldiers treat me very well, I can’t go to town for supplies without being stopped many times by soldiers and told that I saved their lives. Each time I hear that it makes all the danger and sacrifices worth it. I miss you both very much but you are both with me all the time. I love you both very much. - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: Aug 14, 2023
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Muttie -on your husband's birthday I stood in your house! Where you grew up, where you went to school. I stood in your 3 room house and met the man whose grandfather bought the house from the government that forced you to flee. I touched the tree your father planted beside the house he built and the fruit you surely ate. I saw the school you went to and walked the streets you ran down and saw the park and beach you swam in and spoke so fondly of beside the imposing damn where your father worked. Your tiny house, smaller than your Canada living room that you died in 4 short years ago, and yet you were so happy there. Hardship is all perspective! With all this fate, to find myself assigned to a military unit that brought me to your childhood doorstep, I was also blessed to be allowed two days before to travel the 20km to Papi’s village Schoenberg. It really is a nice Berg with a valley and fertile land all around. Papi I saw the Mennonite houses and the street where you rode your beloved horses and grew into such a strong man. There was a grave of a Mennonite that died 111 years ago and his name was Abram Frose. Papi’s name meets Muttie’s family name, how many more signs do I need to feel my parents love? Can you imagine that someone is tending to the grave yet even though no Mennonites are left in Ukraine. I am blessed to be here and feel my parents presence and do my part to rid this land of Russian barbarism once and for all. I feel you both closer than ever even when the plaster falls from the ceiling and glass shatters from the Russian bombs. I love you both, know that your son is here and being brave to help keep your ancestral lands free. - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: Dec 19, 2022
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Ive been here over a week and I crossed the Dnieper river yesterday near Zaporizhzhia, very close to where you grew up and Papi grew up. The villages I travel thorough are just the same as when you were a child I think. Like stepping back in time. Simple people, simple lives being ravaged by war just like when you were a child. So devastating, for the first time I’m glad your not here to see it. Yet the people are so warm and loving and when they find out why I am here and that I am Canadian they shower me with food and hugs just like you used to. I brought 1000kg of aid so I know I have already made a difference and I intend to stay and continue making a difference so good will triumph over evil. Love you Mutti see you in the stars. - Posted by: Peter (Son ) on: Oct 28, 2022
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You would be 93 today, I’m sure if our medical system hadn’t let you down then your mind would be as amazingly sharp today as it was the day you died. What a waste it was for such an inspiring loving person to leave us. We still needed you, we still need you. The grandkids are totally different people because they got to have you as their oma. All three of your grandkids are currently serving in the same place where their parents met. Top of their class, all three. You would be devastated to know we have learned nothing as a global society as war rages again in your homeland. I am going there to make a difference for freedom which all people should have the right to enjoy. You would be very angry with me but it’s the right thing to do. Your chocolate bar is still “hidden” waiting for you. Maybe I join you soon in the stars. I love you always. Goodbye. - Posted by: Peter (Son ) on: Aug 14, 2022
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I went by both your graves on May 3 again. Cleaned it up and left flowers. I’ve been retired and year and haven’t spent a single minute with you. What a shame. Mickey died yesterday and Thunder two weeks before. We are heartbroken as I know you would be. No one can make your “healthy” cookies to cheer me up the way you did. The kids make your crepes though very well but I never got any because Bella ate them all off the table. I love you Mutti, miss you very much and I still see you every clear night with the first star! - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: Jun 17, 2021
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I went to visit you and Papi on May 3, the day after he died and the day before you died. Nice to see you both together again after so many years apart. You always cleaned his headstone to show off the marble, “that you paid extra for”, and I cleaned it to your liking I’m sure. So two years later I still miss you as much as ever. Maybe more because I retired a few days ago and I would have finally been able to spend more time with you. You always said how much you missed our visits when I got transferred downtown. I’m so sad that we couldn’t enjoy my retirement together, you deserved more visits! Kids miss you as well, they talk about you often, you are still a role model to them of how to be a real Oma. They know what unconditional love is because of you, as did I. Love you always. - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: May 07, 2020
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It’s a year and I still miss you so much. I still find myself wanting to call you or send you an email and brag about the kids. I miss visiting you and telling you five times over I don’t want any more cookies. I love you so much, you were the best mother a son could have. - Posted by: Peter (Son) on: Apr 23, 2019
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To the entire Derksen Family, Frances is one of my mother's dearest friends from their days working together, even well into their retirement years. They had a very strong bond that I know my mother will treasure forever. Frances was a wonderful lady, have had a few lunches with her, my mother and sister and thought she was a very interesting person. I feel lucky to have had the pleasure in knowing her. Joyce & Michael Hinson, and Janet Hunt ( Topaz ) - Posted by: Michael Hinson (Family Friend) on: May 14, 2018
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Dear Derksen family Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your lovely Mom. Frances was a very good friend to our Mom, Katharina (Tina) Friesen, who passed away about 2 1/2 years ago. I believe it was during our Moms last summer that my sister Elsie and I took our Mom for a wheelchair stroll along the streets of the neighbourhood near Kingsford Haus, to see people’s yards and flowers. We found ourselves in front of your family home and recognized it immediately. So we pushed Mom to the door, rang the bell and ran to hide, leaving your Mom to find our Mom waiting... It was fun, they had a short visit in the yard. Best wishes as you move forward, remembering your Mom. - Posted by: Linda Floren ( nee Friesen) (Mom was cousin of Frances’ husband) on: May 11, 2018
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We, as a Derksen family, would like to acknowledge Frances' brothers & sisters for their care and support throughout her life and in her last days. Grateful thanks to: brother - Ted Froese with wife Irene sister - Marian Banman with husband Abe sister - Hertha Tessman with husband Wilmer brother - Frank (deceased) with wife Helga brother - Eric Froese with wife Anne brother - John Froese with wife Judith brother - Peter Froese with wife Gerda in Holland brother - Jac Froese with wife Margaret - Posted by: Frances Derksen Family (family) on: May 11, 2018
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A FINE LADY says it all! No stranger to adversity, and she admirably waved it aside. An accomplished family perhaps her greatest legacy. A BIG spiritual HUG for Frances from Linda and Jack Swiddle. - Posted by: Linda & Jack (Family friends) on: May 10, 2018
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Your mom was a very special person and she and my mom enjoyed numerous telephone conversations many years ago, Not quite sure how this came about but Peter wanted a little chick and so my mom gave Peter a chick from the farm and your mom supported Peter's wish. I loved your mom's smile. My sincerest condolences to each of you. May your memories of her continue to bless you. Lily Hiebert Rempel - Posted by: Lily Hiebert Rempel (friend ) on: May 10, 2018
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Love you Mom! 🌷🌷🌷💗 - Posted by: Marianne (Daughter ) on: May 10, 2018
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I miss you Mutti - Posted by: Peter Derksen (Son) on: May 10, 2018
