It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of a very dear mother and grandmother at Bethania Personal Care Home at the age of 86 years. Left to cherish her memory are her children, son Wolfgang (Grethe), son Hans (Carol), son Werner (Cynthia), daughter-in-law Carol and grandchildren Michael, Christian, Jeffrey, Patrick, Peter, Tina Joy, Tessa and Paul. Also mourning her loss are sisters Mary Klassen, Helen Friesen and Liesel (Albert) Schroeder and many nieces, nephews and friends. Tina was predeceased by her parents Katharina de Jager and Johann Martens, her husband Willi and brother Hans. Tina was born in Tiege, Sagradowka in the Ukraine. After completing her basic schooling in Tiege, Tina moved to Kiev where she taught school and later continued her education as a teacher at the Lehrerbildungsanstalt. In 1942-43, Tina fled the oncoming conflict eventually reaching Wolfsburg, Germany where she reunited with her mother, sisters and aunt. There she met Willi Roth. Tina and Willi were married in 1947 and worked and lived in Wolfsburg until 1950 when they immigrated to Winnipeg with their first child, Wolfgang. There they had two more sons, Hans and Werner, and in 1959 moved to Brandon, MB. Here Tina got her first teaching position in Canada and continued her career until her retirement in 1989. During that time, Tina undertook further education earning a B.A. with a silver medal from Brandon University at age 50. Tina loved teaching children for over 30 years as well as travelling the world, singing in the church choir and spending time with her family and friends. She had an endless curiosity for learning, always reading on subjects of interest. Tina touched the lives of many and was a constant inspiration because of her positive outlook on life. The funeral service will be held at the First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2010. Reverend Franz Wiebe will officiate. Interment will take place at 4:00 p.m. at the Brandon Municipal Cemetery, 18th Street South, Brandon, MB. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive; Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 or to a charity of choice. We’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the many staff at Bethania Personal Care Home who helped Tina in countless ways. I would like to specifically thank the staff of South Wing who cared for Tina in ways that were intimately human, with true kindness and compassion. Funeral arrangements are provided by the Birchwood Funeral Chapel.