Agnes Bueckert (Nee Martens) passed away very peacefully into her Saviour’s arms on Dec. 12, 2023, after a short six week battle with lung cancer at the age of 82 years, 10 months.

She was born on Feb. 12, 1941, at Tisdale, SK. In her early years they moved to Gretna, MB, then Wyden, and then to Lavenham, MB. Mom attended school at Lavenham. One of her favorite memories was hitching a ride on the jigger, as the railway track ran right beside their farm. They would walk along the track for a mile to school. The jigger man would drop off the kids at school.

At age 14, Mom took a bus to Winnipeg to look for a job. At the Winnipeg bus depot, she saw a newspaper ad for a housekeeping job, which she got, and worked for a Jewish lawyer for 6 months. Working for a family of strangers and boarding was difficult for mom. She next applied at Frederickson Nursing Home, worked there for two years, then went on to work at the Cavelle Nursing Home for two years as a Nurse’s Aide.

It was after that, her dad died very suddenly in 1961, and she moved back home to be with her mom, eventually moving to Winkler in 1962. She began working at Salem Home for the aged for two years.

Mom was baptized in 1958 ,upon the confession of her faith, at the MacGregor Bergthaler Church.

On June 16, 1963, she married Henry Bueckert, whom she met as a child. In April of 1964 Jennifer was born, then Myrna in April of 1965, and Kelly in April of 1966. Three girls were born in three years. Think of all the diapers mom washed! She had help from dad’s family at times. In November of 1969 Curt was born after a move made to Swift Current, SK, where we lived for two years. Then back to MacGregor they roamed. It was during this time that Mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression. Illness that she lived with for well over fifty years, always on medication.

In January of 1979, Nicole came along, completing their family.

A new house was built in 1971. After purchasing Dad’s parents farm, they moved the new house there. That same house burnt in 1980. We found out how many friends we had, as in three months, a new house was completed, much of it with volunteer help.

Mom’s hobbies included embroidery, quilting (making a quilt for each of her grandchildren), and ceramics (many of which we treasure today). She loved to bake buns, some of which were ordered for church functions and in the community. She also loved to make Komst Borscht and canning pickles, fruit, and jams. She baked for Life Springs Retreat Centre. Her favorite time of year was Christmas, and that is why we are singing some carols here today. She loved to decorate for Christmas.

Her dogs, Goofy and Charlie, were special to her. But most importantly, she loved seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her face would light up with a huge smile when they came into the room.

One highlight was a road trip that her and dad took with Uncle Ernie and Aunt Mary to Mexico to see where dad had lived as a boy. Mom really enjoyed the trip.

Camping at Creekside Campground ,where mom and dad had a site for many years, was also enjoyed along with the many friends that they made there.

In 2020 mom broke her hip, making her unable to walk, so she made the move to the MacGregor Care Home.

Several ladies helped her over the years, some of which were Linda Giesbrecht, Aunt Mary Doerksen, Aunt Helen Klassen, and especially her best friend Agatha Friesen. As a family, we are very grateful for the many acts of kindness shown to mom over the years.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, one brother, two sisters, two sisters in infancy, and, in April, by her granddaughter Michelle Bartel.

Mom leaves behind Henry, her husband of 60 years, her children - Jennifer (Leonard) Friesen, Myrna Peters, Kelly (Mel) Loeppky, Curt, Nicole (partner Si). She is survived by 15 grandchildren – Gordon, Randy, Trent Friesen, Darcy

Friesen, Charlene Konzelman, Trevor, Darren, Joshua, Jesse, and Naomi Peters, Katie Dik, Hunter, Benjie Loeppky, Mason, Isaiah Bueckert and their spouses. She is also survived by 18 great grandchildren, one brother – George (Betty) Martens, one sister – Helen Klassen, many nieces and nephews, two sisters-in-law, and two brothers-in-law.

We would like to thank the MacGregor Care Home staff, Dr. Ominchinski, and Dr. Dyck for their excellent care of mom. A special thank you as well, to Clarkes Funeral Home for their care and compassion.

Thank you to Gordon Friesen, Curt Bueckert, Myrna Peters, and Darcy Friesen for making the coffin, and Rachel Friesen for her computer skills. Also, thank you to the family who participated in the funeral, the ladies who served, anyone who has helped and brought food, and Si Oke for the limousine use.

We would also like to especially thank you for the many prayers over the last six weeks as mom battled her cancer. She loved her family, and it was so evident as we would walk in, and her smile got bigger as her voice became a whisper. So, thank you for praying. Rest in peace Mom, you battled, and you won. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Clarke's Funeral Home of MacGregor/Gladstone in care of arrangements.