LOEWEN: The death of John David Loewen of Brandon, formerly of Douglas, beloved husband of Helen and dear father of Les and Evelyn, occurred at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, October 17, 2006. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Saturday evening, October 21, 2006 from 7:00 pm. to 8:00 pm. The Funeral Ceremony will be held at the Justice Mennonite Brethren Church, Justice, Manitoba on Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 3:00 pm. Pastor Gerry Harms will officiate. Interment will follow in the Sparling Cemetery. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of John to The Gideons or to the Canadian Cancer Society-Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 9Z9. Complete obituary information will follow. Expressions of Sympathy may be forwarded to www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.


LOEWEN: The death of John David Loewen of Brandon, formerly of Douglas, beloved husband of Helen and dear father of Les and Evelyn, occurred at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, October 17, 2006. John was born August 14, 1931 at Foxwarren, Manitoba to David and Anna Loewen. The family moved to Brookdale area in 1940 where the family farmed. John was the fifth child of nine, with two brothers and six sisters. John married Helen Rogalsky on October 15, 1955. Together they farmed in the Douglas area and raised two children, Leslie and Evelyn. John and Helen retired to Brandon in the fall of 2005 when their granddaughter Cheryl and her husband Jeremy Unrau moved onto their family farm. John was a true steward of the land, taking great care in raising crops and livestock. John and his son Les built up a strong herd of commercial Simmental cattle and John always enjoyed going to cattle sales or the livestock yards just to see what the market was doing. John's idea of a Sunday evening drive often included trips to the pastures to check on the cattle. Church life was a very important part of John's life. He held many positions over the years but his work with the Youth was a highlight. His devotion to God was never a question. He walked with God seven days a week through the good and bad times. John was also a Gideon for forty some years, distributing Bibles to the schools each fall. He knew the importance of reading, studying, and sharing God's Word. John was also a councilor in the R.M. of Elton from 1980 to 1995. This was a challenge he faced head on and enjoyed his time working with the other councilors and trying to meet the needs of the ratepayers to the best of his ability. More than anything, John loved his family, he loved getting together with his siblings. It was never an option to miss a family reunion no matter where it was held. He instilled these strong family ties into his children and grandchildren. Camping with his granddaughters, playing table games, and the reading of the Christmas story each year are just a few of the memories treasured by the family. John had six granddaughters that thought he sun rose and set on Grandpa. He was always concerned about the young men that might come into their lives and was heard saying he'd have to sit at the gate with his shotgun if they didn't measure up. He was very pleased to have two grandsons-in-law and took great delight in farming with Jeremy these last few years. In the last six weeks of John's life his greatest joy was in his great grandson. He loved to just sit and hold little John his name sake and marvel at how tiny and precious he was. John worked hard all his life, but enjoyed life to it's fullest. In January 2003, he faced his battle with acute leukemia. Fighting his way back to health, it was shear determination that saw him swathing in the fall of 2003. John enjoyed reasonably good health until the Summer of 2006 when the cancer came back. While he would have preferred another ten years he was at peace knowing his Lord had prepared a place for him in Heaven. After six days of steady decline in the hospital, John passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 with his family around him. He will be dearly missed but always loved. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Anna and David Loewen; brother David Loewen; brother-in-law John Kroeker. John leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Helen; son Les (Genene); daughter Evelyn (Dan Lepp); grandchildren: Jo-Anne (Brad) Neufeld, Cheryl (Jeremy) Unrau, Nicole Loewen, Lindsay, Kathy-Jo, and Jodi Lepp; great grandson Johnathan David (JD) Neufeld. He is also survived by siblings: Anne Kroeker, Henry (Katie), Lydia (Jake) Heinrichs, Martha (John) Penner, Helen Loewen, Mary (John) Penner, Aggie (Eldon) Stobbe; sister-in-law Mardy Loewen as well as many nieces and nephews. The Funeral Ceremony was held at the Justice Mennonite Brethren Church, Justice, Manitoba on Sunday, October 22, 2006. Pastor Gerry Harms officiated. Pallbearers were Hank Loewen, Ken Loewen, Art Penner, Paul Penner, John Shezak, and Kelly Heinrichs. Interment followed in the Sparling Cemetery. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of John to The Gideons or to the Canadian Cancer Society-Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 9Z9. Expressions of Sympathy may be forwarded to www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. Memorials
The Gideons, or Canadian Cancer Society