Maria Derksen

1917 – 2007

Maria Derksen passed away on October 2, 2007 at Chilliwack B.C. at age 90 years.

Maria was born June 15, 1917 in Blumenort, Zagradovka Colony, Ukraine.

Maria is survived by her daughters, Mary (Marvin) Wiebe and Lydia Engel, seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Helmut, her son Henry, sons-in-law Ron Hiebert and Ed Engel, three brothers and two sisters and her parents Johann & Katharina (Koehn) Goerzen.

Maria is remembered as a talented and gracious lady who loved beauty and knew compassion in the midst of pain. She modeled contentment and gratefulness and she had deep trust in God.


They lived on Vedder Mountain Road, near Yarrow. In 1958, she became a member of the Greendale M.B. Church. She belonged to the Ladies Aide Group which made many blankets for the MCC. She also did much baking for the group. Maria was a prayer warrior for her church and family. She loved her garden and flowers.

Maria spent her last few years at the Menno Pavilion on Clearbrook. Her apartment was on the ground floor so she could feel the earth when she went out on her patio. She loved the Chapel sometimes attending twice on Sundays. She will be deeply missed by all.

A graveside service was held on Friday October 5th, 2007 at the Greendale Cemetery. Pallbearers were Brad Engel, Greg Stork, Grant Hiebert, Ken Massie, Lee Derksen and Doug Horrey.

A memorial service was held on October 6, 2007 at the Greendale MB Church with Pastor Reg. Toews officiating.




Helmut Derksen

1916 – 1993

Helmut Derksen of Sardis, B.C. passed away May 11, 1993 He was born May 11, 1916 to Henry & Susanna Derksen of Nikolaifeld, Russia. His father was taken to a concentration camp in 1929 and sent home to die in 1933. The family moved to Blumenort, where Helmut started working. He married Maria Goertzen in 1936.

In 1943 they went to Germany and were able to immigrate to Greendale, B.C. in Canada where they had relatives. He worked at a variety of jobs. They bought a dairy farm near Yarrow, B.C. in 1954 and spent many happy years working together with their three children Mary, Lydia and Henry.

He was baptized in the summer of 1958 and joined the Greendale MB Church, remaining a faithful member for the rest of his life. His gift was lending a helping hand and giving the assurance of a firm handshake as he was ushering in church.

In 1974 they sold the farm and moved to Sardis. They enjoyed trips to Jerusalem and Europe. He enjoyed golf and especially fishing, spending many hours at the Vedder River with friends and family. He was always the center of fun. When his own yard was in order, he worked in his children’s yards and helped them with money.

In 1987 their son-in-law Ron Hiebert built their dream home, but shortly afterward he became ill with Shidrager’s syndrome and passed away on May 11, 1993.

Helmut was predeceased by 4 sisters, 3 brothers and 2 grand-daughters. He is mourned by his wife Maria; daughters Mary Hiebert of Sardis and Lydia Engel of Chilliwack; son Henry of Langley; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and 4 sisters.