Obituary of Mary (nee Hiebert) Derksen

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary Hiebert Derksen. 

Mary was born in Macklin, Saskatchewan, to Gerhard J. and Maria (Block) Hiebert on December 3, 1932. Her parents predeceased her, as did brothers George Hiebert and John Hiebert, her sisters Sarah Hiebert and Elizabeth Schroeder, her brothers-in-law Ed Andres, John Neufeld and Bruno Schroeder, her sisters-in-law Irene Andres and Marianne Hiebert.

She leaves to mourn, her loving husband Frank Derksen of 69 years, son Dale (Laurie) Derksen, son Bruce (Susan) Derksen and daughter Pearl (Jerry) Belan; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Mary was baptized on the profession of her faith in Jesus Christ on June 20, 1948, in the Zoar Mennonite Church, Waldheim, SK. 

She attended Teacher's College in Saskatoon, SK, in 1951. In 1976 she received her Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. After teaching for 35 and a half years, in rural Saskatchewan, Steinbach, MB, Edmonton, AB, and Winnipeg, MB, she retired in June of 1997. 

Following a two year courtship, mostly by correspondence, culminated in marrying Frank Derksen on July 18, 1954, in Waldheim, SK. 

The couple took up residence in Steinbach for three years after which time Frank accepted a position with Reimer Express Lines in Port Arthur, ON (present Thunder Bay). Three years later Frank was transferred to Edmonton, AB, and in 1972 the family relocated to Winnipeg. After 48 years they sold their home and in December 2020, Frank and Mary moved to Bridgepark Manor in Steinbach, MB. 

Complementing Mary’s distinguished teaching career she will be affectionately remembered for having published a comprehensive family genealogy, “A Tribute to Isaak F and Susana Doerksen”, with her sister Anne H Neufeld. Mary has also left a legacy of Christian ministry of encouraging and caring, along with her multifaceted giftedness. She leaves behind an indelible positive impression on all who were blessed to have interacted with her.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.