Laura June DeFehr

Laura June (Penner) DeFehr

1922 - 2021

Peacefully passed from this life into eternal life in the presence of her Lord and Saviour on June 25, 2021 at the age of 99.  A life lived well in service to her Lord, her family and her friends.

Laura was born June 14, 1922 in Herbert, SK. to Peter and Annie Penner. She was second oldest of 5 siblings. Her family moved to Tomkins in 1927.  Then in 1934 they moved to Main Centre.

She married Edward DeFehr August 30, 1942.  He was working in Sudbury, ON at International Nickel as part of the war effort. They established their home there.  March 1943 they moved back to Main Centre because they were needed on the family farm.

In 1947 they moved to Abbotsford because Ed’s father sold the family farm.

Laura worked for a variety of employers often using her excellent culinary skills.  Besides this she spent many, many summers picking strawberries, raspberries and blueberries teaching her kids a strong work ethic.

Ed and Laura bought an acre of land on Walmsley Rd in 1962.  After a year of beans they planted raspberries and had bumper crops for many years.  With the extra income they were able to build a house on the property. They were proud of the first home that they owned. 

Laura had the gift of hospitality.  Many pastors, missionaries, extended family, widows, and friends benefited from her hospitality and her excellent cooking and baking skills. Her hobbies included gardening, flower arranging – she made many a bridal bouquet, baking and cooking, knitting and crocheting.

Ed retired in 1983. This allowed Ed and Laura to devote more of their time to the pleasures of travelling, RVing, fishing, gardening and spending time with their family.

Laura lost the love of her life, Ed, May 9, 2007.  He remained in her heart.  She spoke of him often.  At the same time she entered complex care at Tabor Home. The summer of 2018 she had a series of non-responsive events. As her needs increased she moved within the facility so her needs could be better met.  She was content there. She knew her caregivers by name and greeted them with a smile each day.

Laura was a woman of faith. She was a prayer warrior.  She had a servant heart and used her gifts to bless others and bring glory to the kingdom of God.  Laura lived a life of perseverance and resiliency, one of hope and dependence on God. She will be remembered as a loving, caring, praying mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her children Marilyn Bruce, Dianne (Rudy) Schroeder, Daryl (Denise Bedard) DeFehr, (Ray) Peters, nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her parents and 4 siblings, husband Edward, infant daughter Carol, daughter Janet Peters, son-in law Gerry Bruce, and great-grandson Joshua Peters.