Lena Ewert (nee Hamm)

March 19, 1923 - December 21, 2018
Our beloved mother, Lena (Hamm) Ewert, was borne away by the angels to her eternal home on December 21, 2018. Her life began in 1923 in the village of Schoenau, Ukraine, from which her family fled to Canada in 1926, seeking refuge from poverty and persecution. They settled on a farm near LaGlace in northern Alberta which is where Lena grew up. Lena enjoyed learning but was forced to leave school early to help with the many duties of the farm and the growing Hamm family which came to include 10 children. However, she was able to attend four terms of Bible schools in LaGlace and Coaldale, Alberta, and in Winkler, Manitoba. It was during these formative years that she met our father, David Ewert. They were married in 1944 and were eventually able to celebrate 65 years together.

Mother's life was an itinerant one as David's career as a Professor of Biblical Studies took them to live in many different places in Canada, the USA, Europe and Africa. Deep roots were

established in Winnipeg, where dad taught at what is now the Canadian Mennonite University for twenty-five years. That was followed by three years in Harrisonburg, Virginia and nine in

Fresno, California. In 1990 our parents settled in Abbotsford, B.C where they were active members of the Bakerview M.B. Church.

Having committed her life to Christ at an early age, our mother was, through all her years, a model of Christian devotion and service. She believed the role God had assigned her was to

support her husband in his ministry and care for her family. She did so with courage, kindness and grace. During dad's many absences she created a space for her children to thrive

physically, mentally, and spiritually. She fed us wonderful meals, encouraged us in our studies and in creative play, insisted on piano lessons, and made sure each day ended with stories and

prayers. Mom was especially gifted as a seamstress and, to the delight of her four daughters, could make any fashion fantasy come true. After retirement mom made hundreds of beautiful

quilts for Mennonite Central Committee's relief efforts. Mom had an active mind and drew inspiration from her church involvements, reading, and participating in her husband's academic world.

Our mother epitomized for us the Biblical "Proverbs 31" woman. We, her children, "arise and call her blessed" and remember her life with deep gratitude. Lena was predeceased by her husband, David, in 2010. She leaves to mourn her 5 children: Eleanor (Ray) Martens, Marianne (Robert) Worcester, Ernest (Brenda) Ewert, Grace Ewert and Doreen Ewert; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by 4 siblings - John, Peter, Frank and Martin - and is survived by siblings Mary, Annie, Cornel, Walter and Margaret.

A memorial service for Lena Ewert will be held on Friday, December 28th at 2pm in the Bakerview Mennonite Brethren Church, Abbotsford, B.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Lena can be made to Mennonite Central Committee.