Elnore "Ella" Neufeld
(nee Klassen)
September 13, 1924 - August 23, 2025
Elnore (Ella) Neufeld (nee Klassen) was born September 13, 1924, to David J. and Katharina (Nickel) Klassen in Rosenfeld, Manitoba. She was the fourth of twelve children born to her parents.
When she was seven, she invited Jesus into her life. Ella attended MCI in Gretna for high school, graduating in June 1943. This was also the year she was baptized in the Winkler Bergthaler Church.
Ella made the decision to become a teacher with the encouragement of her Grandpa Nickel. She attended Normal School/Teachers' College in Winnipeg in the fall of 1944 and began teaching in Kane, MB, for the 1946-1947 school year. In 1948, she took a teaching position at Blumenfeld MB. This is where she met the handsome Jake E. Neufeld, and sparks ignited between them as soon as they met.
Their romance blossomed, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1949, in the Winkler Bergthaler Church. Jake decided to become a teacher after a life-changing fall from a roof while working to build his home heating and plumbing business in Winkler.
During these early years, they were blessed with two daughters, Gay Lynn (1953) and Lori Fay (1956). Jake and Ella taught in a variety of schools ranging from Pine Dock, MB (1959-1960) to their last assignment with the Conference of Mennonites at the Steinreich Mexico boarding school (1975-1978).
Upon their return to Winkler from Mexico, Ella continued teaching. She headed up the special needs area at the Winkler Elementary school, retiring after eight years there (1979-1987). In all, she was a much-appreciated educator for more than 40 years.
Ella and Jake were active in the Winkler Bergthaler Church as deacons and Sunday school teachers. She was involved in a wide variety of local community work, especially the MCC Thrift Store in her later years. As she said, "There was never a dull moment in our life- it was always kept upbeat by Jake's inspirational spirit." Ella dearly anticipated the day of their reunion in heaven.
They enjoyed living in a house Jake designed and built for them on 10th St. in Winkler in 1978 till his
passing on June 4, 1998, after 49 years of married life. During this time, Anne Marie LaPointe came to live with them. Anne Marie's 35 year presence in their life was a special gift for Ella, especially after Jake's passing.
Ella was predeceased by her husband Jake, 3 sisters, 5 brothers, and 13 in-laws. She is survived by daughters Gay Lynn Voth (Rick) and their children, Shana (Chris), Krista (Jeremy), and Tamara, and 5 grandchildren: Charlie, Elias, Oliver, Brigitte and Lucia; and Lori Dueck (Dale) and their children: Erin (Sam), Leann (Eric) and Cameron (Alex), and 4 grandchildren: Joy, Amelia, Elliott and Rory. She is also survived by foster daughter Anne Marie LaPointe, 3 siblings and 3 in-laws, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Ella will be remembered lovingly by her family for her consistent, thoughtful prayers for each family member, including her siblings and their families. She loved her family very much and through the years would always welcome each visit with enthusiasm, wise words, special gifts and great food.
As Ella has said: God has blessed my life richly, and this is definitely a time to celebrate.
(nee Klassen)
September 13, 1924 - August 23, 2025
Elnore (Ella) Neufeld (nee Klassen) was born September 13, 1924, to David J. and Katharina (Nickel) Klassen in Rosenfeld, Manitoba. She was the fourth of twelve children born to her parents.
When she was seven, she invited Jesus into her life. Ella attended MCI in Gretna for high school, graduating in June 1943. This was also the year she was baptized in the Winkler Bergthaler Church.
Ella made the decision to become a teacher with the encouragement of her Grandpa Nickel. She attended Normal School/Teachers' College in Winnipeg in the fall of 1944 and began teaching in Kane, MB, for the 1946-1947 school year. In 1948, she took a teaching position at Blumenfeld MB. This is where she met the handsome Jake E. Neufeld, and sparks ignited between them as soon as they met.
Their romance blossomed, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1949, in the Winkler Bergthaler Church. Jake decided to become a teacher after a life-changing fall from a roof while working to build his home heating and plumbing business in Winkler.
During these early years, they were blessed with two daughters, Gay Lynn (1953) and Lori Fay (1956). Jake and Ella taught in a variety of schools ranging from Pine Dock, MB (1959-1960) to their last assignment with the Conference of Mennonites at the Steinreich Mexico boarding school (1975-1978).
Upon their return to Winkler from Mexico, Ella continued teaching. She headed up the special needs area at the Winkler Elementary school, retiring after eight years there (1979-1987). In all, she was a much-appreciated educator for more than 40 years.
Ella and Jake were active in the Winkler Bergthaler Church as deacons and Sunday school teachers. She was involved in a wide variety of local community work, especially the MCC Thrift Store in her later years. As she said, "There was never a dull moment in our life- it was always kept upbeat by Jake's inspirational spirit." Ella dearly anticipated the day of their reunion in heaven.
They enjoyed living in a house Jake designed and built for them on 10th St. in Winkler in 1978 till his
passing on June 4, 1998, after 49 years of married life. During this time, Anne Marie LaPointe came to live with them. Anne Marie's 35 year presence in their life was a special gift for Ella, especially after Jake's passing.
Ella was predeceased by her husband Jake, 3 sisters, 5 brothers, and 13 in-laws. She is survived by daughters Gay Lynn Voth (Rick) and their children, Shana (Chris), Krista (Jeremy), and Tamara, and 5 grandchildren: Charlie, Elias, Oliver, Brigitte and Lucia; and Lori Dueck (Dale) and their children: Erin (Sam), Leann (Eric) and Cameron (Alex), and 4 grandchildren: Joy, Amelia, Elliott and Rory. She is also survived by foster daughter Anne Marie LaPointe, 3 siblings and 3 in-laws, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Ella will be remembered lovingly by her family for her consistent, thoughtful prayers for each family member, including her siblings and their families. She loved her family very much and through the years would always welcome each visit with enthusiasm, wise words, special gifts and great food.
As Ella has said: God has blessed my life richly, and this is definitely a time to celebrate.