Willms, Katharina Jacob “Tina”, of Calgary (formerly of Coaldale), passed away in Calgary on June 18, 2014 at the age of 93 years.
Tina Willms was the seventh child born to Jacob and Anna (Thiessen) Siemens on January 10, 1921 in Neuendorf, Ukraine. In 1930 at the age of 9, her father, being a minister, was taken and put into jail. That same year, her mother with seven children resettled to a small village called Blumengart.
In October of 1940, Tina and Peter Peters were married in Blumengart and shortly after in May of 1941, her husband was enlisted in the Red Army. On August 13, 1941, her son Peter was born, during WWII. He has never met his father. In 1942, Tina and her son, mother and two younger sisters moved to Neuendorf where Tina was a teacher. In 1943, Tina was baptized by Rev. Heinrich Winter.
Tina’s mother died in July of 1943 and in October of the same year, Tina moved with her son, two younger sisters and three older sisters and all their children to Russia. In 1945 after a long journey during the winter, they all arrived at Soest, Westfalen, where they were taken in by farmers. Here they stayed until they were allowed to immigrate to Canada. God has wonderfully guided and protected them through the war and their journey.
In October of 1948, Tina and her son Peter came to Coaldale, Alberta, Canada where they were warmly received. In Canada, Tina married John Willms, and their daughter Katie was born in 1961. On May 20, 1996 her husband John died after a long battle with cancer. All children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews and nieces have given her lots of help and shown her love.
Tina is survived by her son Peter (Sarah) Peters, their children Pamela (David) Jansen and Vanessa, her daughter Katie (Peter) Kraus and their children Jenna, Tyler and Jared, her stepchildren: sons Ed (Linda) Willms, John (LaVaun) Willms, Art (Karen) Willms, Herb (Gloria) Willms, Willie (Del) Willms, Vic (Karen) Willms, and daughter Eleanor (George) Hooge, a sister Margaret (Gorden) Lott, a brother Heinrich (Doris) Siemens and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews with their families, and many relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, both husbands, daughters-in-law Karen Willms and Penny Willms, four sisters: Maria Krahn, Anna Derkson, Helene Peters, Agnes Lenz and three brothers: Heinrich (who died as a child), Jacob and Aron.
The family wishes to thank the physicians (Dr. Thomas Tam), nurses and support staff at Rockyview Hospital on Unit 71 for the compassion and care that was given to Tina and her family.
Funeral service will be held at the Coaldale Mennonite Church (2316 – 17 St, Coaldale, AB) on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 1:30 pm. Interment Coaldale Cemetery.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Step Mother , our condolences.