On Tuesday the 18th of November, in the early morning, Mom went peacefully to join our Dad and her heavenly Father. Mom passed away at the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital, after a brief stay, with daughter Karen by her side. She is survived by her children Shirley (Geoff) Townsend of Gjirokaster, Albania; Rose (John/Jack) Friesen of Steinbach; Ken (Helen) Klippenstein of Steinbach; Karen (Cornell) Friesen of Steinbach and Andrew (Rachel) Klippenstein of Moosomin, Saskatchewan. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, their spouses, 9 great-grandchildren; four brothers: Jake (Fran), John (Pat), Dave (Val), Abe (Marg) and one sister Maria Rempel. Neta was predeceased by her loving husband Leonard in July of 2007, and by her parents John S. and Maria Funk. Mom was born in the spring of 1934, in the R.M. of Hanover, on her parents’ farm. She married the love of her life, Leonard, on September 30th 1953. Mom and Dad were blessed with 5 children. They farmed in Randolph, Manitoba until their retirement and then moved to a small country acreage in the Randolph area. In 1999 they moved to Steinbach, where mom resided until her passing. Mom always enjoyed gardening and walks on their acreage to watch wildlife. She and Dad also liked to go for long drives through the countryside. Our mom was an excellent baker and seamstress; she crocheted many an afghan for her loved ones. Neta suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, which she courageously battled, for 24 years. Mom missed the companionship of Dad incredibly and looked forward to being reunited with Dad in heaven. A celebration service of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24th at the Mitchell Chortitzer Mennonite Church, 57 Willow St., Mitchell with interment to follow at the Mitchell CMC cemetery. A viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr., Steinbach, on Sunday, November 23rd at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional to follow at 7:30 p.m. Donations may be made to the Arthritis Society; 386 Broadway Ave.; Suite 105; Wpg., MB R3C 3R6