AGNES JANZEN, of Coaldale, beloved wife of the late Aron E. Janzen, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2011, after a lengthy illness. Agnes was born on October 20, 1929 in Winnipeg, MB. She was the eldest of eight children born to John & Elizabeth Penner. The family later moved to Gem, AB where they bought a farm. Life was not easy and Mom learned to work hard at an early age. While attending high school in Coaldale she met Aron and they were married 1950. They began farming near Coaldale and in 1958 purchased a farm in the Sunnyside area where Mom resided until 2009, when she moved into the Sunny South Lodge.

In 1962 Mom underwent open-heart surgery in Edmonton. Later on she developed arthritis, which continued to worsen over the years. Despite these challenges, Mom was always hospitable and gracious to family and friends when they came to visit her and dad on the farm. Mom was a terrific cook and a wonderful baker of buns and pastries. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and tending to her flowers as health permitted.

Earthly possessions were not important to Mom. She treasured people, particularly her family. She had an abundance of love and patience for her children and grandchildren and was happiest when she could spend time with them. We will always remember her love for others and her self-sacrificing nature. Although Mom faced many trials during her life, her deep faith in God carried her through. Over the years her declining health restricted her physical activities, but not her ability to pray. Mom prayed daily for her family. Her greatest desire was that each of us would experience God's love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

She is dearly missed by her son Ron (Sue) and their sons Loren (Kelly), Terry (Jennifer) and their children Everet, Rosalyn and Moira and daughter Shirley Fast (Abe) and their children, Mark, Christopher, and Melanie. Also missing her are three sisters: Anne Klanning (Leif), Kathy Fletcher (Rob), and Betty Lewis (Tom), brother Bill (Barb), and sister-in-law Martha Penner, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband Aron and her three brothers Cornelius, Walter, and John, predeceased her.

Family and Friends are invited to pay their respects between 7:00 and 8:00pm on Friday, March 4, 2011 at Martin Bros. Riverview Chapel, 610 - 4 Street S., Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Coaldale Mennonite Brethren Church, 2114 - 18 Street, with Pastor Randy Dueck officiating.

We would like to thank the staff of 5A for the compassionate care they provided Mom during her final hospital stay.

Flowers are gratefully declined but donations in Mom's memory may be made to the Gideons International in Canada, c/o John Regier, 2225 - 27 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 6K5.