I, Katharina Goertzen, was born to my parents, Justina Unger and Peter Goertzen in the Ukraine on August 24, 1928. I was a sister to John who was born two years later. I was very restless and often exhausted my parents. I learned to walk at nine months and learned to speak at the same time as my brother John.
Our Unger grandparents left Russia in 1929. By this time my parents had their own small farm. But times for Father became very difficult as he had to work for the communist government. Eventually they tormented and imprisoned him. From time to time Mother went to the prison to bring Father some food. Mother got a very bad cold and became ill and had lung problems.
After six months of suffering in prison, our Father was released, but his hair had turned white as a result of his poor treatment. By God’s grace we received the papers and in July 1931 when I was almost three, we left Russia and moved via Germany to Brazil.
The ocean trip was not easy for our parents because I was so hard to control. When there was something to climb, I climbed up. Nothing seemed too hard for me. After 21 long days at sea on the Ocean Liner, we finally arrived in Brazil.
Eventually we moved to Santa Catarina and built a small two room house with no door. On one occasion we found a snake in one of our beds. On Christmas Eve we put plates on the table which were filled with sweets. After our morning devotions we recited our Christmas verse, which mom had taught us and I received a new dress. During these poor and difficult times my brother Henry was born on December 17, 1933.
When I was only 11 years old, our family moved to the Curitiba area and we attended the Mennonite Brethren Church in Boqueirão. On September 26, 1941 a little sister Gertrude was born. I was so happy to have a little sister! But sadly she lived for only five months.
In 1945, on Good Friday evening, an Easter program was presented. Many people responded to the gospel and were saved. Father asked me if I also wanted to be saved but I was quiet and went home. That night I could not sleep. However, I too found peace with God the next day. On September 19, 1945, I was baptised upon the confession of my faith.
In 1949, I met Jacob Rahn who had come with his family from Paraguay. After attending the same Church for 2 years, Jake and I were engaged on April 29, 1951 and celebrated our wedding on September 15, 1951. Jake had built a wonderful house for us and after the wedding we began a dairy farm in Guarituba.
In June 1962, after many challenges in Brazil, we had the opportunity to move to Canada. I found a job in a dry cleaning business, ironing shirts working with four machines.
In August 1965, I suddenly became ill with kidney stones and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. For 30 hours they thought I wouldn’t make it. The kidney stone dissolved while I was in the hospital, and my condition improved.
After 18 years of marriage, Jake and I both experienced very deeply the pain of having had no children, we quietly applied for adoption. In May of 1969, we received a call that they had a baby boy for us. When we came to the hospital, I knew that I already loved the baby before we even saw him. As we entered the room, Jake said: “We’ll take him!” On May 19, we picked him up and loved him as our own child. What a great joy!
Caring for Larry wasn’t hard for me. He always slept through the night and was up only for meals and a bath. In the evening he wasn’t whiny or cranky. It was a wonderful time for me, such as I hadn’t enjoyed before, a calm life.
We sold our house in Vancouver in 1970 and moved to Clearbrook and soon after, built another new house of our own on Princess street.
On August 14, 1976 we celebrated our Silver anniversary in the Clearbrook MB Church where we were members. I sewed my own dress for the occasion and we invited 175 guests.
In 1977 we built another house and while cleaning the outside windows, I climbed down the ladder and fell 8 feet, breaking my right arm and and several ribs. As a result, I had many back problems. After that incident, I eventually recovered and was able to pick raspberries with Larry for 5 summers and cleaned houses to help supplement our income.
In 1984 I began to work at a nursery which I enjoyed much more than cleaning houses. I have always enjoyed my garden and flowers, especially roses.
In 1987 Larry graduated, for which we are very grateful. Up to now he has been industrious and eager to work and has given us much joy.
In 2001 we celebrated our Gold Wedding Anniversary in our home with the Rahn siblings. Jacob bought me 50 red roses for this most special occasion. In Psalm 92:1-2 it says: ‘It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O most High.’
In the beginning of June 2005, my Jake felt very ill and was diagnosed with water in the lungs and liver. Soon after on June 25, 2005, while in the hospital, he went to be with the Lord. Psalm 23 brought great comfort to me during my grieving days. We had the joy of making five trips to Germany and three to South America and have seen a lot with many bus tours.
Shortly after retirement, I began to volunteer at the MCC Clothing store where I sorted and organized clothes. I continued serving in MCC for many years after Jake was gone.
Larry met Heidi Carton in Mexico and several years later, on July 8, 2006, celebrated their wonderful wedding in Vancouver. The Lord blessed them with two lovely children: Grace Helena Carton Rahn and Adam Patrick. How I enjoyed my cute grandchildren when they would come to visit me on Sundays for lunch.
In August 2009 while working at the MCC store, I slipped and was taken by ambulance to the emergency. Eventually I was admitted to Tabor Home where I have lived for the past 7 years. They have so many wonderful care-givers here.
Tina went home to be with the Lord on July 24, 2018, one month before her 90th birthday.
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