Maria Janzen was born on May 1, 1942, in Morden, MB, to John and Elizabeth Janzen, the eighth of twelve children. She passed away on November 1, 2025, at the Boyne Lodge in Carman, MB.
Mari is survived by her husband, John Friesen, and her two daughters, Joanne Zoppa (Ken) and Erin Stanhope (Trevor). Her grandchildren, Nicholas Zoppa (Kaitlyn), Lauren Zoppa, and Julianne Anseeuw (Zachary), also survive her. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Anne Sawatzky (Vic), and brothers, Leonard Janzen and Menno Janzen (Linda), along with many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Mari was predeceased by her parents, John and Elizabeth, and her siblings, Katherine Giesbrecht (John), Elizabeth Froese (George), John Janzen, Henry Janzen (Della), an infant sister, Ben Janzen, Peter Janzen, and Helena Epp.
Mari had many fond memories of growing up in a large family, first in Morden and then in Graysville. Her father, a farmer and pastor, and her mother, a homemaker, instilled in her and her siblings the values of hard work, family, fun, and faith in God. Mari often recounted stories of milking cows, working in the garden, and cleaning up, while her older sisters did the cooking.
She attended schools in Morden and Graysville, completing her Grade 12 at MCI. With her graduation certificate in hand, Mari moved to the city for three years of nursing school at Grace General Hospital, alongside her older sister Elizabeth. She graduated with her RN in 1963, and her first job was in Crystal City. Mari's nursing career included positions at Carman Hospital, a Public Health nurse, Director of Nursing at Boyne Lodge, and finally as the Carman Home Care Coordinator and direct service care provider after retirement.
Mari and John married on June 11, 1965, and lived north of Elm Creek until 1967, when they purchased a farmyard west of the Elm Creek Cemetery, where they remained until 2005. Upon retiring from the acreage, they moved to Starbuck, MB, where John still resides. Mari spent a few months at the Pilot Mound Care Home in 2023 before spending the remainder of her days at the Boyne Lodge in Carman.
The family cherished many years together, working on the yard and tending to various animals, with horses holding a special place in their hearts.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Pilot Mound Care Home and Boyne Lodge for the excellent care and kindness Mari received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boyne Lodge Campus Charity.
Mari is survived by her husband, John Friesen, and her two daughters, Joanne Zoppa (Ken) and Erin Stanhope (Trevor). Her grandchildren, Nicholas Zoppa (Kaitlyn), Lauren Zoppa, and Julianne Anseeuw (Zachary), also survive her. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Anne Sawatzky (Vic), and brothers, Leonard Janzen and Menno Janzen (Linda), along with many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
Mari was predeceased by her parents, John and Elizabeth, and her siblings, Katherine Giesbrecht (John), Elizabeth Froese (George), John Janzen, Henry Janzen (Della), an infant sister, Ben Janzen, Peter Janzen, and Helena Epp.
Mari had many fond memories of growing up in a large family, first in Morden and then in Graysville. Her father, a farmer and pastor, and her mother, a homemaker, instilled in her and her siblings the values of hard work, family, fun, and faith in God. Mari often recounted stories of milking cows, working in the garden, and cleaning up, while her older sisters did the cooking.
She attended schools in Morden and Graysville, completing her Grade 12 at MCI. With her graduation certificate in hand, Mari moved to the city for three years of nursing school at Grace General Hospital, alongside her older sister Elizabeth. She graduated with her RN in 1963, and her first job was in Crystal City. Mari's nursing career included positions at Carman Hospital, a Public Health nurse, Director of Nursing at Boyne Lodge, and finally as the Carman Home Care Coordinator and direct service care provider after retirement.
Mari and John married on June 11, 1965, and lived north of Elm Creek until 1967, when they purchased a farmyard west of the Elm Creek Cemetery, where they remained until 2005. Upon retiring from the acreage, they moved to Starbuck, MB, where John still resides. Mari spent a few months at the Pilot Mound Care Home in 2023 before spending the remainder of her days at the Boyne Lodge in Carman.
The family cherished many years together, working on the yard and tending to various animals, with horses holding a special place in their hearts.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Pilot Mound Care Home and Boyne Lodge for the excellent care and kindness Mari received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boyne Lodge Campus Charity.