Agnes (Isaak) Spenst of Abbotsford, BC went to be with the Lord on July 3, 2015 at the age of nearly 96 years.

She was born on July 11, 1919 in Donskoj, Samara, Russia. Agnes came to Canada with her parents Henry H. & Anna (Kroeker) Isaak on December 16, 1925.

They settled at Zenetta, Saskatchewan for 3 years. Her parents had their children in Saskatchewan and moved to Yarrow, BC in December 1928.

She married Henry Spenst on July 13, 1963 at the Yarrow MB Church. In 1988, they moved to the Clearbrook area.

She enjoyed many years of good health in her own apartment close to church and town before moving to Menno Home where she resided until her passing.

Agnes was loving caregiver who took in foster children for over 10 years, and was a practical nurse.

She was predeceased by her parents Henry H. and Anna (Kroeker) Isaak.

She was also predeceased by her husband Henry Spenst, in 1992, siblings John, Peter, Mary, James, Martha and nephew Paul in 1979.

Survived by her brother Henry (Freda) Isaak, sister Annie (Jerry) Peterson, Henry Spenst's children, relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 11:00 am at Clearbrook MB Church, 2719 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, B.C.

Agnes Spenst

1919 - 2015

Agnes Spenst was born July 11, 1919 to Henry & Anna Isaak at Pleschanovo, Neu Samara, Russia Agnes’ family immigrated to Canada aboard the Minnedosa, arriving in Quebec in 1925. A train took them to Zeneta, Sask.

After 3 crop failures, they responded to the Mennonitische Rundschau’s invitation to settle in Yarrow, B.C.

Agnes left school to work on the farm. She had no opportunity to study nursing, but at 30 she was hired as a practical nurse at Vancouver General Hospital. She worked at Bethesda Mennonite Home, Vineland, Ont., and Chilliwack (B.C.) Hospital.

In 1963, she met and married widower Henry Spenst on July 13, 1963. They travelled to South Africa to help missionary Elsie Peters whom they knew from Yarrow.

In Yarrow, Henry and Agnes had up to 7 foster children at one time. Susie and Vera lived with them for 10 years and the family accepted them as relatives.

Henry and Agnes served a year at MB Bible College, Winnipeg, as kitchen help and handyman. While in Winnipeg, Henry had a stroke that put him in a wheelchair.

They moved to a condo in Abbotsford in 1988, where Agnes cared for Henry.

After Henry’s death on June 6, 1992, Agnes lived on her own, sang in the choir at Clearbrook M.B. Church and she was active with Evangelism Encouragers. She boldly witnessed about her faith at every opportunity. Her love for God and people was evident. She entered Menno Home, and in 2011, Menno Hospital, Abbotsford, B.C.

Agnes passed away July 3, 2015 at the Menno Hospital in Abbotsford. She is survived by Henry’s children and grandchildren, and 2 siblings and remembered by many foster children.