Jacob Heinrichs

Obituary

Jacob (Jake) Heinrichs, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Boundary Trails Hospital, Winkler, MB., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the age of 93.

He is survived by his five children: Judith Wiebe, Reginald Heinrichs (Joanne), Rebecca de Buda (Eric), Cadence Reimer, Debora Thiessen, two brothers: William and David, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dad was born on April 29, 1931, as the seventh child to John P. & Helena (Hildebrand) Heinrichs in Hamburg, Manitoba. In grade seven, he received Jesus as his Saviour while attending Gimli camp in northern Manitoba. He had to memorize 300 Bible verses to be eligible to attend 10 days at camp. The decision to follow Christ made a huge difference in his life, especially education-wise. At that time, not many students attended high school. Dad was the first of his siblings to graduate from high school. For grade 11 and 12, he attended Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, where he met Gertrude Loewen, his future wife. After both graduated from high school and normal school, they got married on July 27, 1952.

For several years Dad and Mom taught in southern Manitoba during which time Judy was born. Dad then attended Canadian Mennonite Bible School in Winnipeg. During this time Reg and Becky were born. Dad worked part-time as an orderly at Misericordia Hospital to support his growing family. After graduating from Bible College, Dad taught two years in Ilford, Northern Manitoba where Cadence was born; eighteen years in Mexico, in a teaching and preaching ministry under the Conference of Mennonites (COM) where Deb was born; and ten years in Ontario under the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church (EMMC).

After serving in Ontario, our parents moved to Bethel Place in Winnipeg, where they lived for seventeen years. From 1995 – 2003, most of Dad’s time involved being part of the team that revised the J.J. Neufeld Plaudietschet Niee Tastament (Low German New Testament) and translated the Old Testament. “De Bible” was published in 2003.

In spite of Dad’s many responsibilities, he enjoyed other areas as well. Whether as skip or playing other positions on a curling team in the winter and playing on a baseball team in the summer until his mid 80s, playing shuffleboard, pool, or card games with the grandkids when they came over, or taking over more meal preparations and household duties when Mom became more frail, Dad’s passion was rejoicing thru music and song, as reflected by his favorite Bible verse, Phillipians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”. Leading choirs throughout his life or singing in one, playing his violin alone or with our family in the evenings as we were growing up (with Mom on the piano) Dad was never more alive than when singing praises to his Heavenly Father.

After Mom’s health deteriorated because of Parkinson’s Disease, they moved from Bethel Place into a senior’s home in Altona. A month before Covid hit in 2020, their daughter Cadence was able to make room for Mom and Dad in her home in Winkler. This was definitely a God thing; as we did not know Covid was coming. Here they resided under excellent care until the Lord took them home. Mom passed away on June 17; eight and a half days later Dad followed her. He had wanted to make sure she was okay and in God’s hands before he left this world, which he was able to do. Now together again for eternity, they are rejoicing while continuing their faithful service and worship to their dear Saviour and Lord.

The livestreamed funeral service will be held on Monday, July 1st, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., Zion Mennonite Church, Schanzenfeld, MB., with viewing one hour prior to the service.

The interment will take place at Zion Mennonite Cemetery, Schanzenfeld, MB., followed by the reception at the church.

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