Allan Bartel Loewen was born to Peter F. and Elizabeth Bartel Loewen on August 25, 1928, in the Rosenort, Manitoba area. He peacefully passed away on November 1, 2009 at Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, Manitoba reaching the age of 81 years. Dad’s childhood was not an easy one as his mother passed away when he was still an infant. His grandma and aunts helped take care of him until he was eight and his father remarried. Dad accepted the Lord into his heart at a tender age and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on December 27, 1942 by Minister George F. Goossen, remaining faithful to the end. Attending church meant a lot to him. He seldom missed a service. On November 23, 1952, he married Annie Penner at Rosenort, Manitoba. They made this their home. They spent one year in Sunchild Mission, Alberta. The last year of their life together was spent at Maplewood Manor where they were lovingly cared for. Mom passed away on September 4, 2009. Dad was lonely with Mother gone but was glad she could go. He looked forward to joining her soon. Dad’s main livelihood was grain farming. He provided well for our needs. Experimenting was a way of life for him. He grew a wide variety of crops including alfalfa seed. Raising pedigreed seed provided useful employment for his growing children. Record keeping was important to him. This included his extensive diary and recording precipitation for Environment Canada for over 30 years. Dad set us an example of good work ethics, integrity and frugality. Helping others was something he really enjoyed. A lot of what we children learned from him was by observation, rather than through word of mouth. We also appreciate the patience he had with us when we made mistakes or had minor accidents. Dad showed his compassion and took good care of our brother Russell while he was suffering from lupus. He died at the age of 18. In 1994 Dad was involved in a tragic accident that took the lives of three teenagers. He accepted his own responsibility in this. By God’s grace he could forgive himself and live with the heartache it caused him and others. He appreciated the love and understanding he felt from the community and families involved. In January of 2003 he was diagnosed with cancer. He took this seriously and did what he could to fight this, including watching his diet. He thanked the Lord for another 5 years of fairly good health. In June of 2008, cancer took pre-eminence and he moved to a full care rest home. Those left to share memories are his four sons and four daughters. His children are: Dianne, Rosenort, MB; Gerald and Cheryl, Rosenort, MB; Fern and Victor Toews, Moorefield, Ontario; Byron and Darla, Rosenort, MB; Larry and Rosemarie, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia; Betty and Dalen Goossen, Gretna, MB; Keith and Sandi, Rosenort, MB; and Rhonda and Chester Friesen, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, presently serving in El Salvador. He also leaves 31 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His surviving brothers and sisters are: Leslie and Dorothy, Winnipeg, MB; Julie and Randell Goossen, Rosenort, MB; Gladwin and Pauline, Beausejour, MB; and Darleen of Rosenort, MB. His wife, one son, his parents, two stepmothers, and two nephews preceded him in death. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. with a devotional at 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held Thursday, November 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite in Rosenort with interment at the church cemetery.