Neumann, Dora March 13, 1924 - February 14, 2013. It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Dora Neumann in her home at Bevan Lodge in Abbotsford on February 14th, 2013. Left
to mourn her passing are her children Rene Neumann of Red Deer, Beda/Marlene Drury (Wayne) of Winnipeg, Karen
Davies (Larrie) of Kenora, Kathryn Neumann (Shawn Smith) and Paul Neumann
(Lori Begley) of Vancouver, her adopted daughter Mary Penner (Rudy) of Mission,
seven grandchildren (Carla Yorke (Dave), Pierre Oberg (Kristina), Martha Drury, Josh Drury (Carrie Simpson), Emma Drury (Chris McIlwraith), Nicole Smith (Scott Lysack) Joel Smith (Kristel), and seven great-grandchildren (Maggie, Sophia, Isaak,
Elliot, Winter, Charlotte, and
Madison). Dora was predeceased by her
husband John Neumann in 1980, and her daughter Anne Christine in 1946.
Mom was born Dora Pratt in Ogden, Utah in 1924. She spent her childhood and received her early education in the United States. In l943, Mom and Dad were
married in Walla Walla, Washington. Mom was attending Whitman College there, and Dad was serving with the United States Armed forces. When Dad returned
from the War, he returned to school and Mom raised her first three children, and
mourned the death of Anne Christine.
In 1955 the family moved from Oregon to Ohio, where Dad entered the Lutheran
Seminary. Mom worked outside the home at this time at the Wartburg Press Publishing House to help support the
family. In 1959 the family immigrated
to Canada, to Forestburg, Alberta
to serve Hope Lutheran Church there. While Dad was serving his parish, Mom was not idle at home. She raised her teenage daughters along with two new babies, Kathryn and Paul. As well as raising her children, and serving
alongside Dad at the Church, she still found time to lead the Girl Guides and to be active in our local school. This was to be her pattern through the
following years as the family
served other parishes in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia – from Forestburg to St. Paul’s Lutheran in
Brunkild, Manitoba, to Peace
Lutheran in Claresholm, Alberta,
to Redeemer Lutheran in Kitimat, BC, and finally to Matsqui Lutheran Church.
In 1980, the family moved into a home in Abbotsford where Mom and Dad began
massive renovations. When Dad died suddenly in August of that year, Mom was left with two young children and
a half-finished home. So many
good people from Matsqui and Abbotsford worked many hours alongside Mom, Kathryn
and Paul to finish this big project. While this work went on, Mom worked as a Parish Worker in Matsqui, and went
back to school, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University. Mom was
proud to be one of the more senior graduates, and to receive a standing ovation as she walked across the stage.
After graduation, she counseled people from home, and taught new Canadians ESL. In the midst of all of this, Mom
adopted into our family, our sister, Mary Penner. Later, Mom became involved
with Abbotsford Peer Support for Seniors. Here she made new friends and was active for many years. Mom’s final home was at Bevan Lodge in Abbotsford. Mom settled happily in her new home, and was always singing the praises of the staff there. We are very grateful to all who looked after Mom at the Bevan
and brightened her final days in so many ways. Thank you, Bevan. We would like to thank, also, Mom’s longtime friend, Lily Baysor of Mission, BC. Lily
rarely missed a day without touching base with Mom. Thank you, Lily.
A memorial for Mom is planned for February 28, 2:00 p.m. at Bevan Lodge, Abbotsford. A family memorial is being
planned for family and friends at Pleasington near Forestburg Alberta, where Mom’s ashes will be buried alongside Dad.