OLFERT, Mary (Nee KNELSEN) ~ 1915 - 2013. Our mother, Mary Olfert, was born November 30, 1915, at SW 23-13-12 in the Iris School district, SK, to Abraham and Helena Knelsen, the third of six children, Helena, Abe, John, Jake and Jessie. She grew up on the homestead where she developed a strong work ethic. She had limited formal education, sporadically attending Rhinefeld German School with her older brother, Abe. However, she did learn to read English by reading the Bible. She became an avid reader of scripture. Her lack of education never limited her undertaking ambitious challenges. Mary married Corny Olfert from the neighboring village of Rhinefeld, on November 15, 1936. They settled in Gnadental where they began farming. Nine years later and with two children, they moved to the Iris School district. This was center of their farming operations until 1974 when they moved to Swift Current. They continued active involvement on the farm until Corny’s death in 1984. Mary was a hard and efficient worker in the home, on the farm with the animals and on the field with seeding and harvest. During seeding and harvest she did all the chores and prepared hot meals which she lovingly brought to the field. Mary was baptized in 1936, into the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church but they did not get full assurance of salvation until 1958, when they made decisions to follow Jesus. They joined Wymark Evangelical Mennonite Church where they discovered the joy of serving God in the local church and supporting the EM Conference. They regularly attended Annual Conventions, getting to know missionaries, praying for them and supporting them. Mary cooked soup, baked buns, cookies and pies and served in the kitchen at special events, hosted missionaries and special speakers. She was active in sewing circles making blankets, layettes, quilting and raising support for missionaries. She was a hospitable person. Pastoral families were often invited for meals and missionaries were billeted. They would never leave without receiving a blue jean blanket. Mary and Corny loved to host youth at the farm for wiener roasts or for lunch in their basement on Bell Street. They volunteered at camps and retreats, cooking and doing handyman jobs. Mary was a faithful prayer intercessor for her family, families of the church, and pastors and missionaries around the world. We will continue to benefit from her intercession for years to come. Mary served as taxi for many of her widow lady friends until she was 94. In retirement, they volunteered at the MCC Gift and Thrift where Mary continued to serve after Corny passed away in 1984. They loved to travel visiting relatives throughout Canada, scenic places in the USA and Canada, and internationally to visit ministries in Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Ecuador. As a widow, Mom continued to travel, going to Israel, the Maritimes and Nicaragua. Mary’s hobbies included crocheting, embroidery (while listening to gospel programs on CKSW), sewing, quilting, baking, reading, and taking pictures. Mom’s garden was her joy and pride, on the farm as well as on Bell Street. There is likely not another garden plot in Swift Current that has yielded as much nutritious produce. This added to her longevity and kept her from moving to a Senior’s complex. In 2009, she moved to Riverview Village Estates where she lived until late 2012. After a few weeks in the hospital, she moved to the Swift Current Care Centre in November 2012. Her final move was in the early hours of February 18, when she was called to her eternal home by her heavenly Father. We will treasure the memory of her love and commitment to God, her family and acquaintances. Mother leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Shirley (Lawrence - deceased 2012) Schulz, Herbert, SK; sons, Lester (Darlene), Steinbach, MB, Arnie (Sylvia), Calgary, AB, Ron (Trudy), Swift Current, SK; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; a sister, Jessie Krahn of McMahon; nieces, nephews and countless friends. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3”. Thank you to the staff at Riverview Village Estates and the Swift Current Care Centre for their excellent care. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 2:00 pm from the Church of the Open Bible, Swift Current, SK, with Pastor Bryon Bezanson officiating. The organist for the service was Delores Falk accompanied by pianist, Janice Bezanson. “”How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” were sung by the congregation under the direction of Ron Olfert. Scripture was read from Romans 8:18-25 by Ed Klassen. Tributes were shared by grandchildren, Beryl Braun, Jenny Hryhoriw and Elisa Peters with Lester Olfert reading the life history. Special music was brought by John Regier singing, “The Love of God”, His Reflection singing, “Unclouded Day”, John Regier, Ben and Helena Funk singing, “I Want to See My Savior” and the recessional music on CD, “Safe In the Arms of Jesus” by Paul Todd. The ushers in the church were Jake Driedger, Henry Fehr, Jake Janzen and Gord Klassen. The Interment Service was held at the Mount Pleasant Burial Park, Swift Current, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, Brian Schulz, Lyndon Olfert, Greg Hryhoriw, Brent Doyle, Scott Peters and Raelene Cobb. In memory of Mary Olfert, donations made to the Gideons International would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to sign the Family Book of Condolences, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com