Adolf Abram Janzen died Mar. 21, 2012 at 91. He was born in Danilovka, Ukraine to Abram Janzen and Sara Sawatsky. Adolf enjoyed fishing, playing clarinet, and making his own skates. Though churches were closed, the family read the Bible and sang hymns. In 1935, his mother died, and Adolf worked on the collective farm as blacksmith and combine operator. His father remarried, but was taken to prison. In 1941, Adolf was drafted into the Russian army, and later, the German army, where he worked as a translator. He evacuated with the German army and became a policeman and translator in a hospital. At a Christian youth conference, Adolf came to faith and met Elvira. As an MCC representative, he heard about jobs in Canada. He worked in a Quebec gold mine, then moved to Winnipeg where he married Elvira Aug. 1, 1951. They attended Central MB Church, where Adolf was an usher and Hausvater. He opened North Kildonan Motors and built houses. When Adolf and Elvira’s first child died during birth, they were comforted by Psalm 73. In 1972, the family moved to B.C., joining Bakerview (MB) Church, Abbotsford. Adolf worked as a finish carpenter and managed an apartment block. Adolf and Elvira travelled to Ontario, Hawaii, Arizona, Europe, and Colombia. After Adolf lost his eyesight, he enjoyed meeting friends at coffee shops. Adolf encouraged his family to work diligently, and generously sponsored them on mission trips. Predeceased by 4 siblings, son Paul Siegmund; Adolf is mourned by Elvira; children Johanna (Aldo), Astri, Eleanor (Richard), Fred (Monde); 4 grandchildren; 1 sister.
