Peacefully on Thursday January 6, 2011 at Bethesda Hospital, with family at her side, Maria Doerksen passed away at the age of 87 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters Betty (Dave) Neufeld and Erna (Ernie) Kornelsen. Also left to cherish her memory are six grandchildren Kevin Neufeld and Peggy Neufeld; Sheila (Rob) Martens, Wendy (Patrick) Martens, Derek (Jen) Kornelsen, and Robin (Jeff) Card; seven great-grandchildren Jamie, Ryan, and Spencer Martens; Colton, Mckenzie, and Joshua Martens, and Samuel Kornelsen; three sisters-in-law, Margaret Banman, Ida Doerksen and Agnes (Ken) Slocum, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Maria was born to Peter and Maria Banman on August 14, 1923 on a farm in Blumengard 5 miles west of Blumenort, MB. She was baptized on confession of her faith in Jesus Christ and received into the fellowship of the Chortitzer Mennonite Conference on June 13, 1943. On July 25, 1943 she married the love of her life Jacob S Doerksen. They enjoyed 43 years together in which they farmed, raised two daughters and welcomed the birth of six grandchildren. In 1984 they sold their farm and moved to Steinbach, MB. .Within a year, at the age of 61 Maria lost her dear husband Jake. She learned to live as a widow by trusting God and keeping herself busy doing volunteer work at the C.M.C. Church, Heritage Museum and M.C.C. Thrift Shop, or ‘quick shop’ as she called it. At the age of 80 she sold her house and moved into an apartment at Fernwood Place. Gradual failing health became evident and she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This brought on mobility problems which caused her to fall - first breaking one arm and within a year the other. Home Care became necessary for which she was very grateful. She also survived 3 hip surgeries in the last 2 years. Her indomitable spirit enabled her to live in her apartment until 2 days before she died of heart failure. Although we, the family will miss her we are grateful to God that He called her gently home. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel on Monday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with interment at the Silberfeld CMC Cemetery prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. If friends so desire donations may be made to the Silberfeld CMC Church (for the Silberfeld Building Fund).