October 2014 - Mennonite Collegiate Institute

Table of Contents
CrossRoads
Page 4: MCI Life Flows On
Page 5: Blues News
Page 6: Blues Sports
Page 7: Christian Life Retreat
Page 8: We Are Already Loved
Page 10: Art
Page 11: Reunion News
Page 15: Alumni News & Updates
Page 19: MCI 125
on the cover: Grade 12 students Diana Muela, Sara-Helene Heide, Kim Ginter, and Meagan Schlorff at the
Christian Life Retreat.
Photo taken by Toby Wiens (staff).
CrossRoads thanks Rebeca Giesbrecht for her work in capturing excellent photos.
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From the Principal’s Desk
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MCI Lif
By Darryl Loewen
Robert Wadsworth Lowry’s hymn,
“How Can I Keep From Singing,”
may be as well-known by the
familiar first line, “My life flows on
in endless song,” as by the rhetorical
question posed in its title. At first
glimpse, this great hymn evokes a
sense of lament at the great struggle
of Christian faithfulness in this
world. However, to linger longer is
to discover that it is more suitably an
anthem of certainty about the Christ
that, “…makes fresh my heart.”
As I reflect on 125 years in the life
of MCI, I am inclined to paraphrase
the end of the song:
“…A fountain ever springing;
All things are MCI’s since it
is his –
How can we keep from
singing?”
cycle of arrival of new and returning
students, the uncertainty of first-year
Stookies who wonder from where
will come their first new friend,
warm evening soccer games turning
to cool autumn volleyball road trips,
musical auditions (Have you heard?
This year’s show is Disney’s Beauty
& the Beast.), the first Bio, Chem,
and Pre-Cal tests. This fountain also
seems to be ever-springing.
MCI also hears the “hail of a
new creation” this fall. Recent
years have seen the arrival of a new
demographic of alumni kids-- these
born and raised in the Pacific Rim.
There are a few such alumni kids
this year, including one from Hong
Kong whose mother and father both
are Stookies of the 1980s.
By the time you read this issue a
new receptionist will be in place on
campus. From November 3rd, the
friendly voice receiving your calls
& emails belongs to Lori Franz.
Welcome her when next you call.
committee is working toward a
series of enjoyable events to mark
this exciting milestone in school
life. Details will be forthcoming,
but we can all look forward to
recreational activities (perhaps a
golf tournament) and entertainment
(think comedy-illusion after an
outdoor feast) on Saturday.
All Alumni Reunion:
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The tradition of decade reunions
of MCI classes is well established.
This coming spring MCI invites
EVERY CLASS to join a reunion
on campus in conjunction with
MCI 125. It will all be right here
for you on Saturday-- tent, food,
entertainment, reminiscing. Then
stick around for a Sängerfest to
remember on Sunday.
Really, how can we keep from
singing?
Let’s all gather at MCI on
June 6 & 7, 2015.
MCI life flows on this fall, in ways
familiar “since first I learned to love
As I reported in the spring edition
it.” This flow of life ripples with the Crossroads, a MCI 125 planning
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Blues News
With the start of the new school
year, we welcome four new staff
to the MCI community. Kevin
Giesbrecht is serving as Athletics
Director as well as teaching courses
in Phys Ed and Biology. Meghan
Funk (‘07) joined the teaching
staff as an educational assistant.
Matthew Fransen (Kevin, Meghan, and
Matthew pictured to the right) and Kaitlin
Reimer joined the residence staff as
deans. We welcome these new staff
and eagerly look forward to the new
energy, gifts, and passions they will
each bring to the MCI community.
This year, MCI’s student body
totals
132 students from all
over Manitoba and the world.
We welcomed 46 new students
into our student body, including
students from Paraguay, Mexico,
Hong Kong, Rwanda, and China.
Already our student body is creating
a unique community that we hope
will encourage all our students
and staff to continue to grow and
develop into the people of faith
God has lovingly called us to be.
The new social committee heads,
Shaelyn Fehr and Laura Woelk, led
the school in our first social event
for the year-- the Get Acquainted
Social. They kicked the year off
right with a fun-filled evening of
games and activities. Through this
event, students got a chance to begin
building friendships and connections
that the social committee hopes to
continue to foster throughout the
year.
Student leaders arrived early to
campus in September and engaged
in two days of leadership training
and preparation for the school
year ahead. Included in this group
of student leaders were the new
resident assistants (RAs). Resident
assistants are chosen through an
application and interview process in
the spring. The RAs have already
been called upon to welcome the
new students into the residence and
to lead activities that help connect
students within their mod. RAs
this year are: Rebeca Giesbrecht,
Lily Zhou, and Meagan Schlorff
(pictured below) and Zach Tiessen,
Adam Harms, Johnny Zhou, and
Myles Tiessen (pictured above).
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Blues Sports
Barely a day into the school year,
MCI soccer got started with a new
season. The boys team was coached
by Lester Schellenberg while the
girls team was coached by Kevin
Giesbrecht. Both teams struggled
to secure the win in games though
both also demonstrated significant
improvement
throughout
the
season and consistently played with
determination and energy.
This year MCI will have three
volleyball teams competing in zone
games. Junior varsity girls are
being coached by Carianne Peters
and Meghan Funk. Varsity girls
are under the direction of Amanda
Reynolds and varsity boys are
coached by Toby Wiens. All three
teams have already proven to be
hard-working teams. Visit the MCI
website for updated scores.
The MCI cross country team
competed in the zone meet on
October 7. In the grade 7 and 8 boys
3000 meters, James Bergen placed
30th. In the varsity boys 5000 meters,
Ryan Penner placed 36th and Adam
Harms placed 17th. In the varsity
girls 3000 meters, Amelia Pahl
placed 18th, Sarah Bergen placed
16th, Daria Hildebrand placed 13th,
and Chantel Thiessen placed 1st.
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Christian Life Retreat
MCI students in grades 9-12 and
staff travelled to Red Rock Bible
Camp in the Whiteshell Provincial
Park for the annual Christian Life
Retreat. The three-day retreat was
a chance for students and staff to
grow relationships with each other,
within each ourselves, and with the
loving God who created it all.
kayaking, canoeing, and the polar
bear swim made for a memorable
and fun retreat for everyone.
All students in grades 9 to 12
attended the retreat at Red Rock
while the students in grades 7 and
8 took over the MCI campus for an
on-campus class retreat.
This year Christian Life Committee
heads Meagan Schlorff and Kirsten
Friesen led the activities of the
retreat.
At Red Rock, speakers Cullen
Klassen and David Thiessen led
students and staff in sessions that
encouraged everyone to explore the
question, “Who are we?” Through
their sharing and interactive
activities they looked at who we
are in Christ and who we are as
children of God. Session topics
included: ‘We are Known,’ We are
Connected,’ ‘We are Community,’
and ‘We are Sent.’
In addition to sessions, students
and staff had lots of time to build
community and connection through
playing, laughing, eating, and
exploring together. The annual staff
vs students football game, hiking,
games, and water activities including
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Call or Email:
(204) 327-5891 MCI@mciblues.net
Keep up-to-date with MCI happenings such as the
Christian Life Retreat and other adventures by liking
MCI on Facebook.
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We are Already Loved
People feel love in countless ways.
For some, the feeling of love and
belonging is a physical space – the
house you have lived in since you
were born, for example. The creaks
in the steps, the smell of laundry
detergent, the upright piano that
has rested against the same wall
for ten years.
These seemingly
mundane characteristics create a
place of familiarity, a place that has
experienced love. Objects and small
imperfections remind us of times
during which we have felt love.
The church is also a place where
love exists. Tied into this love is a
sense of mission; our call to be a
“light to the nations,” as Abram and
Sarah were commissioned to do in
Genesis 12. The church body is like
Israel in that we, too, are called to
bless others. God calls us to serve
the world. This sense of mission is
what brings us together. As we carry
out this mission, we become a loving
community.
For me, the love of God is most
present when I work or act in a
way that blesses others. I feel God
especially loves me in and because
of the working I’m doing. But does
the love of God follow directly from
serving others? Sometimes I feel this
is the case, and when I use my time
studying on my own or watching
Netflix in solitude, I feel selfish, as
though God’s love is less available
to me. Old Testament theologian
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RWL Moberly sheds a hopeful light Twenty-year-old Bonhoeffer and I
on my dilemma:
share an appreciation for the fusion
“Even if…love brings with it of work and life.
a call to serve, that service is
Like Bonhoeffer in Barcelona, I
a corollary [or consequence] found that the four months I spent
to being loved, not the core at camp were valuable mix of work
of being loved. So too, the and life, prompting me to put my
Israelites are loved for relational skills to practice and also
themselves, prior to any recognize my limitations.
impact for good that they
My limitations were, in fact, what
may have on others.”
I noticed most during my initial
Moberly is saying that God’s love directing stint. I suppose the first
comes first. We are already loved. limitation was my inexperience with
God loved Abram and Sarah before the camp world. This was only my
they were sent to establish a blessed second year of staffing at camp, and
nation. God loved us when we were two years ago was my first summer
created and loves us in our current counseling. The learning curve from
circumstances. In knowing we are two years ago as a counselor to this
already loved, it is easier to see what summer as a director was steep.
the Kingdom of God looks like, and My goals as director, however,
what kinds of things we need to do were more important than the
to make the kingdom more real.
sheer learning curve. I didn’t have
While helping my dad move his spirituality figured out yet, but I
classroom, I was drawn to a hefty was expected to define my beliefs
piece of literature from the many before sharing them with others. As
on dad’s shelf. It was a biography a director still a little wet behind
of German theologian Dietrich the ears, this was my hope for the
Bonhoeffer. Since then I’ve made summer.
myself somewhat of a Bonhoeffer Halfway through my directing
buff. I see something of myself career, Camp Pastor Elisa Barkman
in twenty-year-old Dietrich’s very shared a verse that encouraged
first pastoring stint in Barcelona. me. She opened her morning staff
Just as the Breslau native felt a call devotion with an Invitation to the
to leave his home to work for the Lord’s Table, used in the Anglican
church, I made the trek out to camp tradition. She did naot employ this
Assiniboia and Moose Lake this text for communion per se, but
summer to be a Program Director. recited it to invite groggy-eyed staff
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members to a deeper faith:
“This is the table, not of the
Church, but of God. It is to be
made ready for those who love
God and who want to love God
more. So, come, you who have
much faith and you who have
little, you who have been here
often and you who have not
been for a long time, you who
have tried to follow and you who
have failed. Come, not because
I invite you: it is God, and it is
God’s will that you who want
God should meet God here.”
God invites us into community, and
if we accept that invitation. It is
God’s will that we will experience
God. Even if we do not actively
seek God, God’s love is ready for
us. We are already loved.
My second limitation – of which
there are many more than what
I have chosen to include – was a
persisting self-consciousness. It
took nearly the entire summer to
become comfortable as a director.
I did not feel right telling staffers
who have been at camp for five
years what to do and when to do it.
I was just the new guy. I had to give
When I hear this invitation to the
Lord’s Table, I feel loved. It is
an assuring text that God’s love is
already in place for you. For those
with little faith, for those who have
failed to follow. God’s love is there.
a session for the under 18-year-old
staff – most of whom had worked at
camp longer than I! Every decision
I made was a process of self-doubt.
Everything I said regarding the
program seemed wrong, and leading
groups in prayer and worship felt
foreign. What did I know about
God? Had I experienced God? What
did my prayers even mean, and what
did they accomplish?
Fortunately, we are already loved.
And without a doubt, there is an
innate love within the grounds and
buildings of each of our camps.
Remember the house? The creaky
steps, the laundry detergent, the
piano against the wall? Camp is
like a home, and has been loved
and contains love when its walls
are filled with people. My selfconsciousness was unwarranted
– the love of God and the love of
campers and staff alike informed
every inch of camp property.
The fact that I was already loved
took a long time to realize. But
directing at Moose Lake, I learned
that other people could immediately
feel something profound at camp.
During a week of camp for Adults
with Disabilities, I met a woman
who shaped my summer. I first
saw her doing a puzzle. I sat down
with her and we puzzled as a pair.
As is customary and effective at
Adults with Disabilities weeks, I
made piles of less-than-funny jokes,
prompting this woman to comment:
“I don’t know about you, Mike.” We
joked and we puzzled. As supper
approached, this woman said to
me with complete self-possession
that she was blessed to be at camp,
everyone was kind to her, and she
wanted to return next year.
(Continued on Page 10)
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Later that week she shared about
her childhood, and it made sense to
me why kindness felt so real to her
at camp. The abuse that this woman
grew up with left me speechless. She
was a child with disabilities, and
people exploited her vulnerability.
At the end of the week before people
got on the bus to go home, she stood
up and said thank you to everybody
for treating her with kindness, and
being there to support her. Her
experiences that week were the
opposite of the mistreatment she’d
dealt with in her life. It will stand
as the most real word of thanks
I’ve ever been blessed to hear. She
made God’s love real through her
gratitude. We made God’s love real,
I hope, through our openness to her
humanity.
God commissioned Abram and
Sarah to be a blessing to the nations,
but God did not leave them resourceless. They were already loved, and
were able to share the blessing of
that divine affection.
We are already loved, and that is a
blessing. This is my prayer: that
your knowledge of God’s love may
abound more and more, so that
you may be able to discern how
best to serve others by sharing
the fruit of righteousness that
comes through Jesus Christ –
to the glory and praise of God.
Amen.
Written by Michael Wiebe (‘11) and
presented at Altona Mennonite Church Photo taken for an assignment Digital Photography Class taught by Toby Wiens
in September 2014
We invite MCI Alumni to submit original works of art for
publication in CrossRoads.
Photos of visual art should be submitted in JPEG or PNG formats.
Written works should be 200 words or less, if possible. Art can be
submitted via email to alumni@mciblues.net.
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Reunion News
Class of 1944
It was Monday, July 21, 2014. It
was time to remember. 1944 was a
momentous year for the world. June
6 was D Day, the beginning of the end
of WWII. June 9 was graduation day
at MCI Gretna for 33 young people-a momentous day in our lives. Many
parents had sacrified much financially
to give their child an education there.
It is now 70 years later. Of the 12
remaining graduates, five (two with
their spouses) gathered at the Nor Villa
Inn for lunch and reminiscing including
much laughter, but also a note of
sadness for those that are no more and
for those that couldn’t attend.
The difference in the world of “then”
and “now” kicked in forcibly when
pictures, taken while eating, were
brought to us before the day was over!
The Class of 1944 Above, Back Row: Ella Klassen Neufeld, Jacob Kroeker, Helen Peters We also recalled that one month’s cost
of board and room then ($13.00) was
Redekopp Front Row: Helen Koop Johnson, Mary Peters Fehr
what we were paying for our lunch
today.
Leaving the Nor Villa, we gathered at
my apartment for more sharing, again
much laughter, and giving God the
glory for His leading us thus far.
The hours ticked by fast. It was time
for faspa and time to say good-bye. We
all felt that this would probably be our
last MCI graduation reunion. With hugs
and more hugs and blessings for each,
the leave-taking began. Moments later,
quick prayers were said for misplaced
keys and a missing hearing-aid, both of
which turned up soon thereafter.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
forget
none of His benefits.” Psalm
The Class of 1949 Above: Helga Wiebe, Trudy Heinrichs, John Bock, Helen Schulz,
103:2
Alice Dueck
Submitted by Helen Peters Redekopp
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Class of 1949
(Photo on page 11)
The “Flagship MCI-’49” made
a brief stop at its original home on
June 1, 2014. The welcoming crowd
that had gathered to hear the MCI
students, “Saengerfest,” welcomed
our group in several ways. A
feeling of belonging to a growing
international family warmed our
hearts.
Just 65 years ago, we were on stage
singing, “Das Lied von der Glocke,”
in a large tent that accommodated the
crowds of friends of the MCI. Today
the bright lights and comfortable
seats at Buhler Hall almost lulled
us seniors to sleep in the afternoon
session!
After a day of music and
handshakes, hugs, and visits
throughout
intermissions,
we
gathered our crew of the Flagship
MCI-’49 for a delicious supper and
private reunion. There were so many
memories of our student years that
caught us laughing and sharing.
We also sang a number of German
favourite songs from our MCI days.
A question was raised: “Do you
remember a particular item from our
MCI experience that influenced your
lifestyle later?” Several items were
named: Mr. Schaefer’s Mennonite
History classes, our MCI dress
codes, when we were naughty as
teenagers, and more!
Before we knew it the fog horn of
our Flagship alerted us to pack up
and leave. Our enjoyable stay was
closed with prayer, committing our
travels in life to the guidance and
care of God.
A reminder to all ‘49 Grads that
in 2019 a renewed call may come
to have another reunion. If you find
yourself in a wheelchair, get a friend
to assist you. Friends of our class
are welcome!
Submitted by Jacob Siemens
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The Class of 1954 Above, Back Row: David Penner, Jake Froese, Peter Neudorf, Ben
Stobbe, Abe Friesen Middle Row: Ruth Bock, Myrna Loewen, Hedy Martens, Margaret
Suderman, Helen Reimer, Marie Zacharias Front Row: Katharine Martens, Marianne
Mann, Anna Exley, MaryAnne Zacharias
Class of 1954
At our 50th Reunion, some of us
discussed the possibility of meeting
for lunch occasionally when out of
town Stookies come to Winnipeg.
Since that discussion, there have
been from 5 to 11 Stookies and some
of their husbands, meeting twice a
year, in spring and fall to enjoy lunch
and fellowship with each other. It
was at our gathering this spring, that
Marianne (Dyck) Mann, brought
up the topic that 60 years is an
important milestone and we should
think seriously about organizing a
60th Reunion. Katherine (Klassen)
Martens and Myrna (Goossen)
Loewen volunteered to assist her, so
the date for the reunion was set for
August 27, 2014.
On Wednesday, August 27, we met
at the Oak Ridge Point Condo Party
Room in Winnipeg.The celebration
was very well attended with 15
graduates and 11 spouses.
The
evening
began
with reacquainting with one another,
as several graduates were unable
to attend the 50th Reunion. While
the Sam’s Place caterers were
getting organized, we got seated
around tastefully decorated tables.
Marianne had chosen purple flowers
and serviettes, as she remembered
those were our grad colours 60 years
ago! Katherine got everyonearound
each table involved with an MCI
trivia game. To my knowledge, I
don’t think we determined from
where the term ‘stookie’ originated.
After a delicious sit-down-dinner,
we gathered around the fireplace in
the beautiful facility and listened
to what the graduates had to share.
This was a good time to reflect on
how fortunate we all are to enjoy
good health and be able to join in
this fellowship! A topic that came
up for discussion was whether or not
we should plan for a 65th Reunion!
On display, was a tribute to the
graduates and teachers that have
passed on.
Submitted by Myrna (Goossen)
Loewen
CrossRoads
you to the organizing committee
for initiating this memorable
anniversary celebration.
Submitted by Esther Anne and
Terrance Klassen
Class of 1984
The Class of 1964
Class of 1964
and had a lengthy time of sharing
of experiences. Ron Loeppky led
a short tribute to two graduates,
Marilyn Dueck (Heinrichs) and
Lester Butts who had passed away
during the last 50 years and Sieg
Toews blessed us with a meditation
and hymn singing.
We enjoyed our time of
reminiscing, renewing acquaintances
and sharing the fellowship of
our former classmates.
Thank-
Thirty Years! How time flies
when you’re having fun! The class
of 1984 got together on Sept 21,
2014, at MCI to visit and reminisce.
A great time was had talking about
the highlights of everyones’ lives
for the last thirty years. We shared
how many children we each had
and what they are doing and what
we, as alumni, are doing. We met in
the library, were served coffee and
cookies, and then went on a tour of
the school. We hung out by our class
picture for a while, talking about
the classmates that couldn’t make
it, and sharing what we knew about
them. We went on a tour of Buhler
Hall and then made our way to the
kitchen where we were served an
excellent meal. To end the evening,
we hung out on the old girls res floor
outside (which is now a skateboard
park) and chatted. It was great to see
the alumni of 1984 who could make
it.
Submitted by Brian Borne
On June 28, 2014 twenty-nine
MCI graduates of 1964 celebrated
their 50th anniversary with a reunion
at St. John’s College in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.
A self-appointed
organizing committee led by Harold
Penner began work earlier in the year
to set a date, prepare a mailing list,
and organize a day of reminiscing,
sharing and good food.
Several weeks before the event
we were encouraged to write
biographies and distribute them to
our former classmates so that we
could become familiar with what
had transpired in each of our lives
during the past fifty years.
The reunion began mid-afternoon
with a stand-up reception of hors
d’oeuvres and punch. This allowed
us to introduce ourselves, renew
acquaintances, and to visit a short
time before having a delicious
buffet meal in the dining room
of the College. For dessert, we The Class of 1984 Above, Back Row: Andrea Bergen, Marge (Funk) Driedger, Cheryl
gathered in the reception hall where Janzen, Edie (Wiebe) Pankratz, Ericka (Dyck) Rempel Front Row: Brad Friesen, Jeff
we also posed for a group picture Kathler, Greg Carman, Louis Quasso, Bernie Hildebrand, Dave Rempel, Brian Borne
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The Class of 1989 Above Back Row: Monica (Penner) Poettcker; Ernie Thiessen; Lionel
Ens; James Friesen; Chris Dale; Scott Fehr Front Row: Susie (Rempel) Bunka; Melanie
(Tiessen) Kehler; Jackie (Froese) Ens; Naomi (Engbrecht) Klassen; Jodi (Warkentin)
Friesen; Charlotte (Reimer) Mortensen; Brenda (Sawatzky) Smith; Carla (Zacharias)
Loewen; Fiona (McCallum) Plett; Verna Martens; Peter Ens
Class of 1989
On August 16th, 18 of the 1989
MCI grads gathered to celebrate
25 years since we received our
grade 12 diplomas and embarked
in a new chapter in our lives.
MCI Stookies came from as far as
Alberta and Churchill to reminisce
of MCI shenanigans and catch up
on our diverse life journeys over
the past 25 years. There was lots
of informal visiting, meeting of
spouses, good laughs, and stories
shared. Interestingly, one of us is
already a grandparent, while another
had a baby just a week prior to the
reunion. Others have kids currently
attending MCI.
We enjoyed a catered pork dinner
and were hosted by Barry and
Melanie (Tiessen) Kehler in their
beautiful backyard in Winnipeg.
A big thank you to Jodi, Fiona,
and Jackie for being a part of the
planning team and to Melanie for
spearheading,
organizing,
and
hosting this great opportunity to
reconnect with old friends!
Submitted by Carla (Zacharias)
Loewen
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Gather Your Class at MCI 125
As the planning committee for the MCI 125 celebration is hard at work
putting together a weekend of entertainment, connecting, reminiscing, and
sharing, they are eager for MCI’s graduating classes to have a chance to
re-connect specifically with their fellow classmates through class reunions.
All day Saturday, June 6, 2015, class reunions will be happening all over
the MCI campus along with other activities.
Whether your class wants to have a meal together, play games, just
visit over coffee and cookies, or attend one of the 125 events together,
the weekend of MCI 125 will offer many opportunities to gather together
to reminisce and to build new memories. Don’t miss this chance to reconnect with old friends and remember the glory days, the ridiculous
shenanigans,the concerts and travelling, and the fun-filled mischief that
was your MCI experience.
Anyone is welcome to step forward to be the host of their class reunion.
Contact MCI today to get the conversation started! We can help you be in
contact with your classmates, brainstorm ideas, and get the word out.
CrossRoads
Alumni News and Updates
births
Zahara Jayne Baro-Wiens was born
to Samantha Wiens (‘97) and
Reynaldo Baro Baro on April 30,
2014. Zahara was welcomed by
older brothers, Rio and Muracco.
Kylie Jane Higgins was born to Hedy
Parker Cole was born to Amanda Friesen (‘99) and Jared Higgins on
(Klassen) Giesbrecht (‘99) and May 8, 2014.
Dustin Giesbrecht on November 19,
2013. Parker was welcomed by big
brothers, Hunter and Carter. The
Giesbrecht family recently moved
from Winnipeg to Altona, MB.
Did you know that
if you send us your
email address we can
send you CrossRoads
electronically?
Did you know that now
e-CrossRoads contains
all kinds of great links
to information, pictures,
and video?
Zander Pete Friesen Wiebe, Myelle Nora Friesen Wiebe, and Tasha Jess
Friesen Wiebe were born to Tom Wiebe (‘97) and Loretta Friesen of
Mitchell, MB, on June 4, 2014. The triplets were welcomed by older
brother, Paxton.
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weddings & celebrations
Jessica Spanjer (‘09) married Martin Raupers in Hedy Friesen (‘99) and Jared Higgins were married on
Newdale, MB, on July 12, 2014.
October 19, 2013.
Ryan Pauls (‘09), son of Alvina and Ernie Pauls of
Morden, married Tara Bergen on July 26, 2014.
Herbert Brandt (‘43) celebrated 63 years of marriage
to his wife, Anne, on September 1, 2014. The Lord
gave him over 40 years of ministry as pastor. Life has
been wonderful, even in retirement. Herbert and Anne
live in Delta, British Columbia.
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Where are you living? What are you
up to?
What experiences would you like to
share with MCI alumni & friends of
the school?
Email us: alumni@mciblues.net
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deaths
He cultivated enduring relationships
with friends and relatives. He had
a generous spirit and contributed
significantly to each community
where he lived. He loved music and
was a marvelous storyteller.
George
Friesen
(‘46)
died
peacefully, surrounded by family,
on May 12, 2014 and went to be
with his Lord and Saviour. He is
remembered by Louise (nee Wiens),
his beloved wife of 65 years, and
six children: Lawrence and Carol
Friesen of Winnipeg, Irene Friesen
of Pinawa, Paul Friesen of Sanford
and his fiancé Ann, Phil and Karen
Friesen of Crystal City, Grace and
Orest Pelech of Lloydminster, David
and Alana Friesen of West St. Paul,
as well as 15 grandchildren and 24
great-grandchildren. He is survived
by his sisters Sara (Peter) Friesen and
Annelie (Henry) Enns, his brother
Henry (Helen) Friesen, and sistersin-law, Elvira Friesen and Phyllis
Friesen. George was predeceased
by infant grandson Owen, and two
brothers, Wiegand and Vern. George
Friesen was born on August 6,
1927 to Gerhard and Sara Friesen
of Crystal City. George and Louise
farmed at Crystal City (Huron
district) for 30 years before moving
to Winnipeg where George worked
for Choice Books and Lawson &
Falle. George was a man of deep
faith who touched the lives of many.
On August 6, 2014, Karen
Rasmussen (‘71) passed away at
St. Boniface Hospital at the age of
61 years. Karen is survived by her
son Kelly (Tracy); grandson Avery;
father Abram Neufeld; sister Enid
(Ron) Rasmussen; brother Tim
Neufeld. She was predeceased
by her mother Aganetha Neufeld.
The family would like to thank
the Palliative Care Unit staff at St.
Boniface Hospital for their care and
compassion.
John Warkentin (‘50), beloved
husband of Erna Warkentin (nee
Engbrecht). Dear father of Barbara
Graham (Brent), Jocelyn and Greg
(Rosa). Cherished grandfather of
Liam, Erin, Brynne, Lauren, Scott,
John and Alexandra. Passed away
peacefully at Joseph Brant Hospital,
Burlington, on Sunday, March 30,
2014 at the age of 82. He is survived
by his sisters Margaret, Irene, Hedy,
Marlies and brothers Peter, Werner
and Alfred. John is predeceased by
his parents David and Margaretha
and his brother David Warkentin.
He will be sadly missed by his
extended family and friends. John
was a professor of chemistry at
McMaster University, from 1960
until his retirement in 1996. An avid
outdoorsman, he loved canoeing,
fishing, camping and hiking
Jacob Friesen (‘50), husband of
Sara Friesen (nee Bergen) passed
away Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at
St. Boniface Hospital after a lengthy
battle with cancer. Jake was born
near Lena, Manitoba on November
29, 1931, the second of 14 children of
Isaac and Mary Friesen. Following
graduation from the M.C.I., Gretna
he found his vocation as a teacher.
He graduated from Normal School
in 1956, completed his B.Sc. at
the University of Manitoba in
1962 and, a few years later, his
B.Ed. His 33-year career included
three years (Continued on page 18)
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in one-room country schools, and
30 years in the River East School
Division - seven in junior high and
23 at River East Collegiate. Jake
married Sara in 1962. Jake was
predeceased by newborn twin sons,
Robert and Michael. He is survived
by his son Kevin (Pam) and their four
sons, and his daughter Carla (Glen
Martin) and their two daughters.
Jake was actively involved in his
church, as well as many other types
of volunteer service including
delivering Meals on Wheels, filling
out income tax for persons with
lower income, and working at Ten
Thousand Villages. He and Sara
enjoyed traveling widely. He shared
slide presentations on these travels
at many seniors’ establishments.
Most of all, he took great joy in
his family, attending many of
their sports activities and dramas.
Error:
In Ruth Neufeld’s
obituary in the June 2014 issue
of CrossRoads, an error was
printed. Ruth was a student in
the year 1945-46, not 1949 as
written. Thanks to Jack Neufeld
for catching this error.
CrossRoads is printed in Canada by
FRIESENS FAST PRINT,
Altona, MB
Managing Editor:
Shanda Hochstetler
MCI Box 250 Gretna, MB
R0G 0V0
204-327-5891
alumni@mciblues.net
www.mciblues.net
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Upcoming Events @
MCI
November 20, 21, 22 7:30pm
Cottonwood Community Drama presents Pollyanna
(Tickets available online at: www.MCIBlues.net)
December 6
MCI Chamber Choir Concert with the Winnipeg Singers
December 17 & 18 7:30pm
Christmas Concerts
December 19 to January 4
Christmas Break
March 12, 13, 14 7:30pm
MCI presents Disney’s Beauty & the Beast
June 5-7
MCI 125th Anniversary Celebration
For full event calendars, visit the Buhler Hall
and MCI websites.
www.buhlerhall.com
www.mciblues.net
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Contact MCI Toll Free in Manitoba:
1-877-MCI-BLUE
(1-877-624-2583)
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