On Wednesday, November 11, 2014, Rev. John C. Siemens, with family by his side and his eyes raised towards heaven, went home to spend eternity with his Master. He would have celebrated his 91st birthday in three weeks. Dad was born in Russia on December 1, 1923, to Cornelius and Aganetha Siemens. He lost his father at the age of 7 months. Three years later Dad and his mother immigrated to Canada. They settled near Horndean, Manitoba, where his mom supported the two of them by doing housework and sewing. In 1931, his mother remarried to Bernard Wiens and they moved to Herschel, SK. Dad was so proud to have a father and Grandpa Wiens treated him as his own son. Dad married Mary Penner on June 3, 1949. Together they raised four children. Dad farmed exclusively for 5 years, then started his pastoral ministry at Herschel SK. He ministered at Ebenfeld Mennonite Church for five years, at Herbert Mennonite Church from 1960-1971, and at Niverville Mennonite Church from 1971-1981. After his retirement he provided pulpit supply for the church in Blumenhof, SK for some time as well. In February of 1982, Dad lost his first love. This was a very difficult time for him, but God blessed him and our family when he found his second love, Mary Dyck. They married on April 16, 1983. They spent their married life together in Swift Current until Dad became ill and had to move to the Palliser, where Mom was a daily visitor until his passing. We are grateful for the wonderful care and love both Dad and Mom received during his stay at the Palliser. Dad leaves to mourn his wife, Mary; his children, Vicki (Bob) Enns, their children, Carrie and Tracy, Lois (Harv) Klassen, their children, Chris (Joella - children, Levi, Silas, Jonas), Corwin (Kerry - daughter, Zoe), Curtis (Michelle – children, Mikayla, Jake, Carter, Charlotte), Kendra (Mario – children, Brooklyn, Braxton, Keagan, Jace), Bev (Clare) Neufeld, their children, Russ (Kendra – children, Ethan and Natalie), Ryan (Sara – daughters, Ella and Harlow) and Rachel, Ken (Kathy) Siemens, their children, Travis (Hilda - children, Kaed, Brayer, Ara, Lachlan), Kara (Kelly) Westerlund, Shelly (John) McGown. He was predeceased by his father, Cornelius; his mother, Aganetha; his first wife, Mary; his sister, Helen; and stepfather, Bernard Wiens.
The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at 2:00 pm from the Fairview Bible Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Bob Enns officiating. The pianist for the service was Lois Klassen. “Channels Only” and “When We See Christ” were sung by the congregation. The tributes and obituary were shared by Rachel Neufeld, Kara Westerlund, Shelly McGown, Carrie Enns, and Tracy Enns. The scriptures read were Psalms 71, 23 & 62 by Vicki Enns, Bev Neufeld, and Ken Siemens. The Interment Service was held at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current, SK, with the following serving as pallbearers, Chris Klassen, Russ Neufeld, Corwin Klassen, Ryan Neufeld, Curtis Klassen, and Travis Siemens. In memory of Rev. John C. Siemens, donations made to Millar College of the Bible, Box 25, Pambrun, SK, S0N 1W0 would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family‘s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com