Katherine (Katie) Speiser died Mar. 19, 2009 at 98. She was born Apr. 22, 1910 in Orenburg, Russia to Jacob and Agatha Klassen. The family immigrated to Canada in 1923, living in Rosthern and Waldheim before settling in Glenbush, Sask. Katie attended Hepburn Bible School for 4 years, and taught there 1 year. She attended Normal School in Saskatoon and taught in various one-room schools, the last in Laird, Sask. She married Jacob Speiser in 1947. In the early 1970s, Katie taught 4 years in Leipzig, Sask. In 1979, Katie and Jacob were building a home and planning retirement to Waldheim when he suddenly died. Friends helped finish the house and move Katie to her new home. She was active in Waldheim MB Church, teaching Sunday school, working in Ladies Aid, helping in the library, and singing in the choir. She was one of the oldest volunteers at the Clothes Basket in Rosthern. Katie readily thanked God for her good health, saying “God is so good!” She lived on her own until July 2008 when she had a stroke. Predeceased by Jacob, 6 siblings; Katie is mourned by daughter Lovella; nieces and nephews.
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