Notes |
- Johanna was born on February 14, 1935 to Anna and Richard Henseleit in Dortmund Boevinghausen, Germany. She was the third child of six children. Johanna received Christ at a young age, and was baptised by Pastor Brauer in Herne. She served the Lord with thanksgiving and was active in the youth group.
After completing her schooling and her apprenticeship in textiles, Johanna and Josef were married on June 27, 1953 in a double wedding with her cousin from East Germany. Pastor Brauer officiated the marriage with a strong encouragement, (lasst euch beschenken) "Take God's Gifts".
Josef and Johanna moved in 1954 from Dortmund, Boevinghausen to Costrop-Rauxel. In May 1956, now with their first child, they immigrated to Canada. Coming on the Ship the "Italia" they settled in Saskatoon SK., where they joined the First German Baptist Church and two more children were born to them.
In 1961, a difficult and courageous decision was made to leave family ties, and familiar surroundings, and to move to Kitchener, Ontario, where there were more opportunities for Josef to develop his trade and business. It was then that they joined and became involved with the Central Baptist Church.
Johanna was an active member in the women's ministry. Renowned for her baking, her tortes were always in high demand, and sought after at any church function.
Johanna was encouraged by her children to upgrade her bookkeeping knowledge, which she did, and worked for 14 years at Kenson Enterprises. In their retirement they made the move to Kelowna in 1997, and their spiritual home became the Grace Baptist Church.
In her spare time Johanna (Hanni) knitted and crocheted clothing and blankets for her grandchildren, each stitch was made with love. Kelowna General Hospital benefitted from receiving her crocheted lap blankets for children and seniors. Hanni's life changed dramatically after her diagnose of heart fibrillation and diabetes, resulting in her right leg needing to be amputated 4 1/2 years ago. Now she was wheelchair bound. Josef become her devoted strong and loving caregiver and helper. Last year in the summer, gangrene affected her left leg and Josef again looked tenderly after Hanni's open sores. Despite the best of care, on December 30, 2012 Hanni was hospitalized, and never able to return to her home. During those days of unbearable pain, Hanni pleaded that the Lord would take her home. On January 17, 2013 she was admitted into the Kelowna Hospice House where step by step her body became weaker yet the Lord's peace carried her. In those days Hanni was thankful when her children and grandchildren called, and she enjoyed the deep conversations with Josef and sister Brunhilde about her home going. Hanni and Brunhilde especially enjoyed the quiet moments together with her favorite Latte and Scone. On Saturday February 2, 2013 in the evening, Hanni being relaxed and at peace without struggles, went to be with her Lord and Savior.
-Springfield Funeral Home
|