Tribute
Marjorie Schellenberg
Marjorie was the youngest of four children in the Johann and Susanna Dyck family from Inglis MB. Her 95 years spanned teaching in a one-room school in Kronsweide, learning to farm while raising six children in Rosenfeld, working for DW Friesen in Altona, wintering in Arizona, embracing a second family with a move to Steinbach, and residing in Winnipeg at Lindenwood Terrace, Pembina Place and Bethania Personal Care Home.
Marjorie’s life included significant losses: the sorrow of losing her son, Howard at age 22, the loss of her infant granddaughter, Corinne, the death of her husband, Peter Schellenberg in 2007, and of her second husband, Dave Friesen in 2012. However, her life was also filled with much love, shared with her children and grandchildren as well as Dave’s children and their families.
Cathie Braun, who visited Marge at Bethania, said that Marge’s bulletin board was filled with photos of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She liked to tell stories of her youth and of learning to bake bread, milk cows and can the yearly harvest, as she embraced farm life. Marge loved music, playing piano for church choirs and teaching private lessons. She spoke fondly of the nineteen years that she worked in the finance department of DW Friesen.
Cathie began to share her visits with Diane Tokarchuk, Marge’s stepdaughter. Marge would wish them well when they headed south for their winter vacations. She loved to reminisce about the thirteen years she and Peter enjoyed, wintering in Mesa, Arizona. Cathie remembers Marge as cheerful and friendly and counts herself blessed for having known her.
Diana recounts, “I feel in some ways that I have always known Marge.” Diana’s father, Dave, and Marge’s first husband, Peter, were childhood friends, walking to school together for six years, and forming a life-long friendship. When Marge and Peter married, they shared an apartment with Dave and his wife, above Diana’s grandfather’s store. As a child, Diana visited Marge on the farm, forming a bond in their shared love of baking and plants.
When a long-term friendship between Marge and Dave developed into a romance, it was noted that they were giddy as teenagers! They entered into a loving marriage and the Friesens happily welcomed Marjorie into their family. Diana described Marge as a rock — a loving, patient caregiver when Dave became ill shortly after their marriage. After his death, Marge moved to Winnipeg where she and Diana enjoyed sharing memories and stories of the past and the connection of Bethel Mennonite Church. Diana remembers Marge as always being cheerful and eager to share her generous supply of chocolate.
Marge’s life was filled with family, friendships, music, canasta, biking, swimming, tennis and gardening. She died on January 3, 2024 at Bethania Personal Care home. A celebration of Marjorie’s life will be held Sunday, April 23, 2024 at 2:30 pm. She will be greatly missed.
- Diana Tokarchuk, Cathie Braun and Judy Wiens
