Obituary of Adelina Willems

December 14, 1926 – February 28, 2021 She passed away on February 28, 2021. Adelina was the eldest of twelve children born to Jacob & Katharina Willems. She was born on Dec 14th, 1926, the same year that Mom & Dad moved to the present farm. Early in life it was evident that she had a keen interest in music. She received her early education at the Rose River School. After spending several years at home to help, she went to Bethany Bible Institute at Hepburn, Saskatchewan and graduated in 1950. Singing was the joy of her life and she spent many hours at the piano. She attended the Brotherfield M.B. Church and sang in the choir. She also sang in a trio with her sisters. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and was baptized in the North SK River near Petrofka Ferry and became a member of the Brotherfield M.B. Church in 1945. At home the girls each had to decide on certain household chores on Saturday morning. Once that was finally decided, the sisters went about to do their work, but she would first play piano and when the sisters were ready to play, she still hadn’t done her work. She would now try to persuade them to help her do her jobs and then all could join in play. Since she was the oldest child, she bore the brunt of hard manual work on the farm and would work with horses sitting on the packers or walking behind the harrows. In the early years, at harvest time, she would help mom with stooking sheaves, a job she didn’t like. She treasured her heritage. She loved the past, she liked the way mom & dad did things and did not want to change. She did not want to adapt to the culture of the present day but kept doing things her way. As she grew up, dad often wandered what his oldest daughter Adelina, would pursue in life. Several summers she would earn money by picking Fruit in BC or Ontario. She was greatly impressed by the work that Ben Horch of Winnipeg did with the church choirs as he visited them. Her dream for a musical career led her to Winnipeg where she attended the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. She sang solos for the Messiah concerts at various times. She also studied voice and piano in Detmold, Germany during the years of 1969 – 71 with Professor Lindenbaum. For years she taught voice as well as piano and the recorder. She taught voice lessons at Providence Bible College in Otterburne, Manitoba for a time and dedicated many years as a church soloist in Winnipeg, where she lived. He sister Katy said, “She enjoys her home and loves to share it with her friends and family whenever possible, revealing her artistic talent and providing a warm atmosphere by her special touches. Her yard and garden show her appreciation of the beauty in nature. She is characterized by her love of life and the ability to laugh in spite of being alone” She is survived by her: brothers Albert Willems; Harold Willems; Walter (Beth) Willems; Victor (Carol) Willems; Edward (Rosalie) Willems; brothers-in-law Klinton Schmidt and Gordon Klassen. She was predeceased by her: parents Jacob & Katharina Willems; sisters Priscilla Willems; Katy Schmidt; Laura (Abe) Martens; Evelyn (Ed) Buhler; brother George (Rosella) Willems; sister Sharon Klassen and sisters-in-law Adeline Willems; Esther Willems and Amy Willems. A private funereal service will be held at the Waldheim Mennonite Brethren Church on Monday, March 8, 2021. Interment will follow at the Brotherfield Cemetery. Arrangement entrusted to Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern ,SK.