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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.



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