Harry,

My condolences on the passing of your Dad.  The death of a parent is always difficult, whether they were ill or not.  The picture of your dad is fantastic!  I can imagine his fun character.  

Take care,

Lisa P.

Our sincere condolences to Sister Susie and all the family and the local church where our brother Chris was an elder for many years. Our prayers are with you. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”Ps 116:15 KJV The apostle Peter shared these thoughts with us on elders 1 Peter 5:1- NLT Chris” too will share in His glory when He 
(Christ Jesus) is revealed to the whole world”. He lead by his good example. He loved sharing nuggets of truth from the Word of God and from former brothers and sisters in Christ. I was blessed as a young man when I watched how he played with his teenage children ball or soccer  etc. He was probably in his late forties early fifties. He came home from work spent some time in the garden. Then went and played with his children. They had prayer meetings at there house on prefontaine rd near Niverville  almost every Wednesday evening. Aileen and I lived in Winnipeg  during my nursing school and he was one of our elders. He and Susie opened there doors to us and hearts. And to anyone who came. 
David and Aileen Klassen

Dear Susie and family! 
We are so grateful we got to spend a little time with Chris before he graduated to eternity! 
We remember so many special times with him- his love for his Lord - his family - his garden - and oh my! Those raspberries!!! 
He loved to sing and he displayed such a gentle spirit. 
We miss him already- and we know that in the days ahead you will all miss him greatly! 
Our love and prayers are with you all! 
Hugs, Joe and Irene

Dear Susie and Family: My heart-felt condolences to you, on the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. I listened with interest to the stories Chris would tell—of his father’s harrowing experiences in Russia, of his own challenges in leaving the Colony and finding work, of his speeding tickets, of the frequent trips to McDonald’s for coffee. Always told with a smile and a chuckle. He stands out to me as a model of good humour and helpfulness, someone I was glad to have as a brother-in-law. If I would have a name for him, it would be “Good Neighbour Chris Dornn.” Blessings to his memory.

Ralph Friesen

July 19, 2024
On the Passing Of Chris Dornn in 2024

Dear Susie and Family:
 Last I spoke to you Susie, we were waiting for Chris to enter his final journey. I admired how calm and positive you were. It was a pleasure connecting with you by telephone and I hope we can do more of that in the future. Sisters need one another.
And I appreciate how well your family stepped up to care for their father and provided, well, Hospice Care. I know it must have been challenging as they all have their own lives as well. Still, very much gratitude to all family members including of course in laws who I am aware did so much.
I remember Chris with love and appreciation for what he brought to our lives. In the colony where all seemed so very serious, he brought humour. We were made to laugh and experience joy from that. 
Chris was not a Maendel, and thank goodness for that as there were plenty of them around already. He was not a person who sought conflict nor argumentation. He could stay quiet during those inflammatory times. Although sometimes others will try to take advantage of these kinds of individuals, they are able to hold on and stand their ground. They have their strength and stand firm. They know who they are.  To me that was Chris. 
Whenever I called the house, most often Chris answered. During that brief time before Susie got the phone, we talked garden in summer. I heard about his raised garden beds, his copious tomatoes, his zucchini, his raspberries etc. I love raspberries and wished so much I could share his. 
And so I’ll end with a characteristic phone call to the home of Chris and Susie, as follows.
“Hi Chris this is Hannah.”
“Hannnnnah! Susie it’s your sister Hannah.”
I asked, “how are you Chris?”
He answered, “Great, I couldn’t be better.”
To me, the theme for his Celebration of Life might be, “Great, I couldn’t be better,“ which brings a positive and even loving attitude.  I will miss him, and although he was ready to go, there is still loss.
Hannah Friesen

I want to write a few memories we have about Chris . He was a very special man and he blessed us with kindness and gentle ways .Growing up I always appreciated how approachable and kind he was . I was 5 years old tagging along with my mom to Fairholme Colony I vaguely recall that I was present at Chris and Susie s wedding . I remember how beautiful and happy this “ bride “ was . Susie was the first bride I ever saw ! Many more trips and family visits to their home I always felt that Chris and Susie were  the most in love couple ever . I was always touched how fun and loving Chris was with his family . He showed his love in many ways espically how he and Susie liked to sing together . That sounded so beautiful to me and I loved to hear them sing . Chris also loved softball and man o man could he ever swing  that windmill pitch . I was so impressed and still think he is my hero . Fast forward to when Dan and I moved to Wpg with our family . The turbulent days of making a living and raising teenagers . This is the time when Dan got acquainted with Chris . It was a blessed and wonderful time to Dan .His gentle person and deep love for The Lord connected their hearts . Dan drew much strength from the loving Elder that Chris was to the assembly in wpg . Dan saved notes and nuggets from those meetings and treasures them  always  Chris also liked to bring the odd humorous clip here is one : “ whether the weather be fine or whether the weather be not whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot we ll weather the weather whatever the weather . Whether we like it or not . We will miss you Chris ! Our love to you Susie big hugs from across the miles . The same to the family .. each and every one of you . We love you God be with you and draw us closer to Himself

This memory was very special to me.  We lived at Steinbach, MB at the time, Larry lived in SD, Joseph was a student at Dartmouth College and Terry was travelling in the states.  Br. Dornn knew I was alone at home with Sharon our daughter when this blizzard happened, one of the worse storms for our area. He called me when the storm was over and asked how I was doing.  I told him I got the driveway shoveled but the snow plough went by and blocked my driveway and I am not able to get Sharon who was at a sleep over last night. He said Sharon has to get home, we will get her home, I will be over soon. He lived about half an hour drive at Niverville from us.

He made it to Steinbach, shoveled the snow and went to get Sharon.  She was the happiest girl to be home, she kissed the step and said thanks for getting me. Mission accomplished! That's the kind of elder/father in Israel he was to his flock and will have it no other way. There are many stories I could tell of him and Susie filling in the gap when Terry was away. He has gone on to his reward, it didn't go unnoticed. Blessings to Susie who graciously shared in his ministry. You  are not alone, he is always with you.

Blessings to the whole family at this time of celebration of his life!

The Terry and Ingrid Miller Family

OBITUARY

Christopher Dornn

28 July, 1930 – 16 July, 2024

Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery

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