In 1938, Annie’s father was arrested and never returned. In 1941, her brother Peter was drafted into the German army and died in war. Brother Jacob was also drafted. When the Germans retreated, the family joined the trek, ending in Poland. In 1945, the family fled the advancing Russian army to Germany, where Annie worked for farmers. The family heard John Kroeker was providing a refuge for Mennonites in West Berlin. When a refugee, Annie accepted the Lord in Jan. 15, 1946. On the steamer Volendam, the family reunited with Jacob. They farmed 10 years in Volendam, Paraguay. Annie attended Bible school in Friesland, Paraguay. She worked at the German embassy in Asuncion with her sister Tina and visited the MCC home for girls on Sundays. In 1957, Annie, her mother and Jacob immigrated to Canada. Annie worked at Concordia Hospital, Winnipeg. In 1961, she and her mother moved to Vancouver, near Tina. Her mother’s 1969 death was hard for Annie. She often babysat nieces and nephews. At Culloden MB, Annie sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. At Clearbrook MB, she sang in German and English choirs and served the funeral catering committee. Annie was a dedicated friend and loyal disciple of Christ.
