Obituary for Lydia Reimer (Bergen)
LYDIA REIMER
Lydia Reimer, nee Bergen was born September 10, 1928 in Altkolony, Osterwick, Ukraine. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 10, 2021.
While mom never spoke much of her childhood she was deeply impacted when the Russian army took her father away in 1941, just prior to the German troops taking possession of the area. Early in the morning on the day following her father’s arrest, her mother, sister Leni and mom took what they had, 1 shirt and a piece of bread and brought it to her dad. They watched as he was put into an open truck with others and driven out of the village. Mom loved her dad. The family never heard from him again.
As a result of the war, the family fled to a refugee in Berlin. It was during her time in Berlin that mom put her faith in Jesus and was baptized in August, 1946. Lydia’s faith and church life have always been very important to her.
On February 1, 1947, after a one and a half year stay in Berlin the family joined other Mennonite refugees on a 21-day voyage on the ship, Vollendam to settle in the Neuland Colony in the Chaco region of Paraguay, South America.
Life in Paraguay was difficult as the girls struggled through the demanding physical work of establishing a farm with no motorized machinery. While in Berlin mom had met Peter Reimer, another refugee whose family also made the trip to Paraguay. On June 26, 1949 they were married.
In 1957 Mom and Dad, Lydia and Maggie immigrated to Canada. Getting settled in a new country, and a new language, was not easy. In the first years in Canada mom experienced a great big spiritual battle. She begged the Lord for a verse, and he led her to Romans 5:1 “Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares you flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed one, has done for us.” This verse gave her peace, and she could again be wholeheartedly at peace in her heart and thank the Lord for his leading.
What gave her the most joy was spending time with children, grandchildren, baking and sharing her products, quilting, mending, singing in the Guitarenchor, family trips and building memories with family at the cabin for many years.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents, Isaac and Anganetha Bergen and step-sister Angeneta Peters. She is survived by her husband Peter, her children Lydia (John), Maggie (Brian), Willy (Gwen) and 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
A special thank you to Dr. Carey Isaak for his many home visits and care given to our mom, the Staff at Donwood, Home Care staff, and heartfelt thanks to the private caregivers, Jules and Pam.
Today we celebrate a life well lived. Mom lived well, loved well and cared well. Mom, you will be missed AND celebrated by the generations of people you impacted. Today we mourn your loss and celebrate your life. Mom, today you have the body God intends you to have. We love you and we will all miss you deeply.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: mcfcanada.org (Mully Children’s Foundation).
To view the livestream of the funeral service, please go to
http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/14129
Lydia Reimer, nee Bergen was born September 10, 1928 in Altkolony, Osterwick, Ukraine. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 10, 2021.
While mom never spoke much of her childhood she was deeply impacted when the Russian army took her father away in 1941, just prior to the German troops taking possession of the area. Early in the morning on the day following her father’s arrest, her mother, sister Leni and mom took what they had, 1 shirt and a piece of bread and brought it to her dad. They watched as he was put into an open truck with others and driven out of the village. Mom loved her dad. The family never heard from him again.
As a result of the war, the family fled to a refugee in Berlin. It was during her time in Berlin that mom put her faith in Jesus and was baptized in August, 1946. Lydia’s faith and church life have always been very important to her.
On February 1, 1947, after a one and a half year stay in Berlin the family joined other Mennonite refugees on a 21-day voyage on the ship, Vollendam to settle in the Neuland Colony in the Chaco region of Paraguay, South America.
Life in Paraguay was difficult as the girls struggled through the demanding physical work of establishing a farm with no motorized machinery. While in Berlin mom had met Peter Reimer, another refugee whose family also made the trip to Paraguay. On June 26, 1949 they were married.
In 1957 Mom and Dad, Lydia and Maggie immigrated to Canada. Getting settled in a new country, and a new language, was not easy. In the first years in Canada mom experienced a great big spiritual battle. She begged the Lord for a verse, and he led her to Romans 5:1 “Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares you flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed one, has done for us.” This verse gave her peace, and she could again be wholeheartedly at peace in her heart and thank the Lord for his leading.
What gave her the most joy was spending time with children, grandchildren, baking and sharing her products, quilting, mending, singing in the Guitarenchor, family trips and building memories with family at the cabin for many years.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents, Isaac and Anganetha Bergen and step-sister Angeneta Peters. She is survived by her husband Peter, her children Lydia (John), Maggie (Brian), Willy (Gwen) and 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
A special thank you to Dr. Carey Isaak for his many home visits and care given to our mom, the Staff at Donwood, Home Care staff, and heartfelt thanks to the private caregivers, Jules and Pam.
Today we celebrate a life well lived. Mom lived well, loved well and cared well. Mom, you will be missed AND celebrated by the generations of people you impacted. Today we mourn your loss and celebrate your life. Mom, today you have the body God intends you to have. We love you and we will all miss you deeply.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: mcfcanada.org (Mully Children’s Foundation).
To view the livestream of the funeral service, please go to
http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/14129