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Obituary of Anne Loewen
As the harvest sun was setting, Thursday, September 19, 2024, Auntie Anne Loewen passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour, having lived 102 years and 23 days.
Anne was predeceased by her parents Peter T. and Margaret Loewen; her siblings and spouses, Margaret (Linden) Penner; Ben (Alvina) Loewen; Edna (William K.) Reimer; George (Margaret) Loewen; Herman (Doris) Loewen; Katharine (HarveyVan) Penner; brother-in-law, George Fast.
She is survived by her youngest sister, Eileen Fast, in Connecticut, USA and ALL 25 nieces and nephews.
Anne was born August 27, 1922 in Dallas, Oregon, USA, to Peter T. and Margaret Loewen. She grew up in Steinbach, MB with her seven siblings. Her mother had left family behind so initially there were annual car trips to Oregon to visit grandma and grandpa Friesen. Anne went to school, finishing grade 10 in 1938. Her first job was working for her dad at Loewen Garage for a year, doing clerical. Jake Penner then hired her to work at his grocery store “Penner Foods” where she stayed until 1943. Dr. Whetter and Dr. Hodgson had moved to Steinbach and set up their offices across from Loewen Garage. Aunt Anne was hired to be receptionist and secretary.
Her career job was 31 years at Reimer Agency working for P.J. Reimer, selling insurance. She enjoyed people and hearing their stories. Her last three years in a nursing home she met many former customers who bought insurance from her and they recalled memories. A gentleman, who wanted to insure his Quarter horse and she had asked him: “Which “Quarter” do you want to insure?” At age 65 she retired.
When Anne’s father died in 1953, she continued to live at home with her widowed mother. They took care of each other but together they also cared for the extended family, friends and neighbours. Many happy memories were made with no shortage of food and treats.
In 1980, Anne and her mother moved to a home at the corner of Elm Street and Elmdale. When her mother died in November 1983 she continued to live there until her move to Fernwood Place in January 1994.
The deeper side of her life was her simple, strong and trusting faith in a God who till the end of life she said, “He’s taking care of me”. Aunt Anne was content, with a joyful heart full of thanksgiving. She had a servant heart and into her mid nineties she visited the sick in the hospital and nursing homes, bringing them mini-chocolate bars and church bulletins. Nobody left Fernwood, her home for 26 years, without something in their hands, be it food or some gadget she found at the Dollar Store. It might even be repurposed paper place mats or paper cups. Anne was frugal.
Her legacy of faith and service was her home church all her life....EMB at the corner of Reimer and First Street (now Cornerstone). Anne had no children of her own but for 40 years she taught pre-school children in Sunday school. At age 100 she could recall their names when she met them. We will miss her prayers. She was an early riser ...4:30-5:00 a.m. reading her Bible and praying.
In 2018, she shared that she couldn’t concentrate when praying so she started writing out her prayers. We found them, a banker box, full. We are truly blessed.
Aunt Anne was disciplined and liked routine. One important routine was walking, morning, afternoon, and evening. She wasn’t perfect and could be quite stubborn. She said, “When you live a single life you are your own boss.”
Aunt Anne was always dressed with style even after her working days. Necklaces, broach and pierced ear rings were part of her wardrobe choices until the day before she died.
Her life has been full of hobbies. One in particular was creating her own cross stitch patterns. She made memory pictures of places she lived and people she shared life with. Little square broaches, place mats and book markers are some. There was always a jig-saw puzzle on her dining room table. She was still puzzling at Rest Haven.
She enjoyed traveling.... bus tours with lady friends and visiting family in Germany, Connecticut, BC, and Oregon.
Words of thanks hardly seem adequate to express to the staff at Maplewood Manor and Lake View House in Rest Haven our appreciation for being Anne’s family. You cared for her like your own Auntie. Sorry about Anne stubbornly not learning how to use her call button.” I can do it myself”....hence all the falls, no breaks!!!
Anne enjoyed all things social. Every morning she would check the “white board” to see what was happening in the chapel that day.
Sincere thanks to Peter Berg, chaplain at Rest Haven. Anne expressed thanks for your spiritual care and prayers.
There will be a private family burial service at Memorial Cemetery where Anne will be laid to rest next to her parents.
Rest in Peace, Auntie Anne
