I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25
Justina Jacqueline (Janzen) Hiebert passed away peacefully and at rest in the arms of her kind shepherd, Jesus, at Long Prairie Memorial Hospital on June 21, 2008 at the age of 84.
Justina, “Jackie” daughter of Peter V. and Aganetha (Wall) Janzen was born at home near Lustre, Montana, on September 24, 1923. When she was 10 years old, her parents moved from Montana to Mora, Minnesota. They resided there for 3 years and then moved to Mountain Lake in 1937. There, she graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1942. At School she enjoyed music, singing in the choir and playing trumpet in the band. After high school she attended Mountain Lake Bible School for one year.
She accepted the Lord as her personal savior during youth meetings at a Baptist Church near Mora. When her family moved to Mountain Lake, she joined the Bruderthaler (EMB) Church. She loved her church and served the Lord in various ways throughout her life. She sang at revival meetings and at numerous church services and funerals. In church she taught Sunday School, DVBS, and children’s church. She taught herself to play piano, accordion, guitar, and violin so that she could make music to the glory of God. In later years she even played violin with the Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra. In daily life the Lord was her constant companion. Justina was a woman of prayer. She believed that most problems could be solved with God’s help, Mennonite wisdom, and a few good home remedies
On September 24, 1943, Justina married Leonard Hiebert of Bingham Lake, Minnesota. They farmed together near his parent’s farm for 10 years. On September 21, 1953, they moved to a farm near Browerville, where she resided for the remainder of her life.
Justina devoted herself to being a good wife and mother, working hard on the farm, cooking many delicious meals for her husband, children and grandchildren. After her children were grown, she taught at a Mennonite
School for 2 years and also worked at a nursing home, and a group home. After her husband died on March 4, 1997, she continued the farming operation.
She was preceded in death by her dear husband Leonard, her parents, brother Rudy Janzen and his wife Marie Ruth, two brothers in laws, Peter Penner, and James Whisenhant.
Justina is survived by three sons and one daughter: Garvin (Cheryl) of Browerville, Jerald (Barbara) of Raymond, Alberta, Steven (Arlene) of Zimmerman and Laurie Reisdorph of Clarissa. Also surviving are a brother and three sisters: Richard Janzen (Darlene) of Butterfield, Salome Penner of Mountain Lake, Elizabeth Whisenhant of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Roberta Gingerich (James) of Moundridge, Kansas, eleven grandchildren: Brett, Jared, Ryan, Joel, Michael, Elizabeth, Deborah, Anna, Daniel, Artena, and Aaron, three great grandchildren: George and Isaac Nameny, and Haylee Hiebert.
We will remember her tender smile, warm encouragement, willingness to forgive, compassion for those with troubles, love for nature, her way of thinking the best of others, her beautiful singing voice, her emphasis on Mennonite faith and wisdom and faith to the end. She said, “Noa disa tiet kempt ne aundra tiet,” – meaning, after this time of suffering a new time of peace, joy, and blessing will arise.
We will miss her being here for us, her kindness, gentleness, tender touch, words of wisdom, a favorite meal, and a good laugh.
We thank God for the beautiful place He prepared for her in heaven. We rejoice with her as she abides eternally in the presence of God. Our desire is to someday be with her in heaven and as for now walk by faith as she walked.