Mary Funk of Coaldale, AB., beloved wife of John Funk, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2011 at the age of 82 years. Mary had a full and busy life and leaves behind a legacy of friends and service.

Mary was born in Osterwick, Russia on May 30, 1928 to parents Maria (nee Peters) and Abram Neudorf. When she was 12 years old, her father was taken by Soviet soldiers and died in a detention camp. They fled from the Soviet Union and Mary emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1948 with her mother and her brother Abe. She settled in Coaldale, AB. and married John Funk on November 19, 1950. They settled on a farm east of town and farmed there until their retirement in 1992.

Mary's life spanned two continents and a world of experiences - from the hunger and deprivation of her youth to the stability and relative prosperity of the latter part of her life in Canada. She was carried through all of it by her strong faith in God, her love for the people she met along the way, and a real sense of purpose in her life. Mary knew how to work, from the long days of labor on a sugar beet farm to the countless hours of volunteer work in her community, she gave of herself unsparingly. Mary's faith was the foundation of her life. She was active in her church ladies group and loved to sing in choirs and at home. She enjoyed visiting, cooking and offering hospitality. We couldn't begin to count the meals she's prepared for guests or the food Mary delivered to friends and neighbors during difficult times. Her compassion and generosity were an example for us all. Mary loved to garden - flowers were her special joy and she learned to love camping in her retirement years. And most of all she loved the company of her family and friends.
Three years ago Mary suffered a severe stroke that took away her ability to walk and made speech difficult. Overnight her life was transformed from serving and nurturing others to the point where she needed help herself. Yet in these difficult circumstances she gave us one last great gift - an example of grace and courage that we will remember forever. The faith and hope that carried her through her earlier years also carried her through these last months and inspires those she leaves behind. The family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the caring staff at the Coaldale Long Term Care facility and to the many people who visited and supported Mary while she was there. She was most thankful for your caring and so are we.

In addition to her loving husband John, Mary is survived by her children Eric, Harold (Joyce) and Elaine (Phil Klassen) as well as her grandchildren Justin and Nathan Sharpe. She is also survived by her brother Abe Neudorf. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Abram Neudorf and Maria Enns, her infant brother John and her step father David Enns, as well as her sister-in-law Melva Neudorf.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00 and 8:00pm on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316 17 Street Coaldale, Alberta.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316 17 Street Coaldale, Alberta, with a reception to follow.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make memorial donations to Mennonite Central Committee, 210, 2946 32 St. NE Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6J7.

Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.