“Her children rise up and call her blessed.”

Proverbs 31:28 Laura was born on January 16, 1914, to John and Susan (Jost) Priebe at Flowing Well, Saskatchewan, the fourth of eight children (five daughters and three sons). She was baptized upon her personal confession of saving faith in Jesus Christ and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church at Flowing Well, the church her father pastored for many years. On October 4, 1936, she married Edward (Ed) Janz of Main Centre, Saskatchewan, where they farmed and raised a family of nine children: Darlene (born in 1937), Linton, Darrel, Shirley, Orval, Marion, Dorothy, Viola and Sandra (born in 1958). Marion admits that after Sandra came along she prayed there wouldn’t be any more children in our family; however, it was to become very obvious that Sandra was no mistake. Dad suffered a debilitating stroke in July of 1969. In October, after harvesting was finished, Mom and Sandra moved to Swift Current to be near the Geriatric Centre (now Palliser Regional Care Centre) where Dad resided after his stroke. For the next year and a half, Mom faithfully went to spend nearly every day with him until he passed away in April,1971. Linton provided her with a lovely new duplex (which he had just built) and she lived there happily and comfortably until September of 2002. He also looked after her in many other ways, and countless times drove her to shopping places, appointments and events. A special blessing to Mother was that Sandra was still with her for nine years after Dad died. After Dad passed away Linton bought the farm from Mom, but she continued to take a keen interest in the daily work and the crops. For many years she prepared abundant, tasty meals for Linton and whoever else was working with him on the farm at any given time. Mom’s home was always a place of hospitality for family and passers through. She was a magnificent cook and enjoyed serving meals to her family and others until well into her eighties. More recently she frequently took visitors out to restaurants for breakfast or supper. Fortunately, through all her years of widowhood Mom had the Lord to guide her and give her strength. Shortly after moving to Swift Current, she started attending the Church of the Open Bible. Over the next three decades she enjoyed the ministry and fellowship of the church, and she had many good friends there. She enjoyed reading her Bible and praying for missionaries, her family, and the needs of others. Giving financial support to various ministries and missionaries was also something she did generously and cheerfully. Mother felt deeply the loss of her daughter, Shirley, at age 58, in 2001; and her son, Linton, at age 62, in 2002. But her zest for living continued and she said at that time: “I’d like to live a little longer.” In the Fall of 2002 she sold the duplex (which Linton had bequeathed to her) and moved to Heritage Towers in Swift Current, where she spent three happy years. Two years ago it became evident that Mom should be in a place where some round-the-clock care would be provided. Her mind was keen, her memory was amazing, but she fell occasionally and suffered several injuries. So, in January 2006, she was moved to Heritage Manor in Herbert. She loved the staff there, and they loved her. She was always cheerful and thankful. Several months ago she was diagnosed with lung cancer. When the news was brought to her, she responded by saying: “Well, I guess I have to die sometime.” She seldom spoke about the matter and went on living in her quiet, kind and cheerful way. Mother passed away on Friday, October 11, 2007 at Heritage Manor with three of her daughters at her side. We are thankful that her labors and suffering are over, and she has gone to be with her Savior and Lord. We sorrow, but not as those who have no hope, knowing that we shall see her again. She was predeceased by her husband; one son; one daughter; her parents; and all of her siblings and their spouses except her youngest brother, Clarence, and his wife, Lorraine, of Calgary. Laura is survived by seven children and their spouses: Darlene (William) Braun of Swift Current; Darrel (Marianne) Janz of High River, AB; Orval (Georgetta) Janz of Winnipeg; Marion (Trevor) McGhie of Hines Creek, AB; Dorothy (Gus) VanHee of Calgary; Viola (Willard) Schmidt of Oyen, AB; Sandra (Gordon) Klassen of Swift Current; one son-in-law, Jim Middleton of Langley, BC; one daughter-in-law, Fern Rempel of Turn Hill, SK; seventeen grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren. Laura’s family sincerely thanks the compassionate staff of Heritage Manor in Herbert for their outstanding care. They truly went beyond the call of duty in ministering to Mother’s needs and to us as a family, especially in the last two weeks.