Agatha Groening

Agatha Groening, aged 97, passed away on June 19, 2026, at the home of her oldest son near Altona, Manitoba. Mourning her passing are her children: Harold (Lillian) Groening, Janice (Gordon) McGillivray, Donald (Debbie) Groening, Marilyn (John) Wiebe, Leroy Groening, and daughter-in-law Elva Groening. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, 22 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Elmer, son Melvin, daughter-in-law Lillian, granddaughter Adrienne, her parents, Jacob and Aganetha Dueck, five brothers, and six sisters.

Agatha grew up on a farm five miles north of Horndean in the Rose Farm district. She was the third youngest of 12 siblings, including two who died in infancy. After completing Grade 8 she lived at home for several years, sometimes working as a mother’s helper in various homes.

Agatha’s family attended the Grossweide and Kronsweide Sommerfelder Churches in the area but she also attended Sunday School at the Rose Farm school. In her teens, she confirmed that she wanted to be a follower of Christ at a revival meeting. She took catechism classes and was baptized in the Kronsweide Sommerfelder Church on May 31, 1947. During the winter of 1950 to 1951 she attended Elim Bible School at Altona where she sang in a double quartet.

Agatha started dating Elmer in the summer of 1951 and they were married September 21, 1952. Agatha then transferred her membership to the Rose Farm Church, where they were involved with the missions committee and teaching Sunday School. The first year they lived in Theodore Groening’s home upstairs, while Elmer was working for his Uncle Theodore on the farm. A few years later Elmer decided to complete his High School education by correspondence so that he could become a schoolteacher. Harold and Melvin joined the family at this time.

In the fall of 1956 they moved to Winnipeg so Elmer could get teacher training at Normal School. They attended Bethel Mennonite Church where Elmer’s Uncle George Groening was the pastor. In the fall of 1957, Elmer took his first teaching position at the Mennville School north of Riverton. During the eight years they were there they were very involved in ministry opportunities such as Sunday School, DVBS at Hecla Island and Hilbre Bible Camp. Both Agatha and Elmer had a passion for serving the Lord and helped start the Riverton EMC church. Agatha attended the Ladies Sewing Circle and taught sewing skills to the older schoolgirls. During these years Janice and Donald joined the family. Some summers were spent in Winnipeg where Elmer attended Summer School. At harvest time they would help Elmer’s parents bring in the crop.

In 1965, they moved to Moosehorn where Elmer taught at a rural school. They enjoyed fellowship at the Moosehorn Baptist Church. They developed lifelong friendships during those 10 years of teaching.

When Elmer’s parents decided to retire from farming, Elmer and Agatha bought the farm and moved there in the summer in 1967. They once again became involved in the Rose Farm church. They also hosted many missionaries and tour groups from Bible Schools. Financially supporting various ministries was a priority for them. Marilyn and Leroy joined the family during these years. When the Rose Farm church closed in 1975, they started attending Emmanuel Gospel Church in Lowe Farm and became members the following year.

Agatha received a lot of support during Elmer’s cancer journey from 1983 to 1989. After he passed away, she stayed on the farm for nine more years. In 1998 she purchased a home in Winkler. She became a member of the Winkler EMMC church in 2003. Now she had more time to read, pray and volunteer. Agatha was involved with several prayer and Bible Study groups and volunteered at the MCC store.

Despite chronic back pain and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2006, she continued gardening until she moved to Lions Manor in 2014. Agatha had several stents put in due to artery blockages and broke her shoulder blade in 2016.

When she fell and fractured her pelvis in 2020, she wasn’t expected to recover. Don and Debbie took her into their home on the farm where she was born, to spend her last days. However, with the excellent care she recovered! With the help of additional caregivers, she remained in their home for five more years and at Harold and Lillian’s home in Gnadenfeld for almost three months. During the last years her health declined significantly, but it amazed everyone how she kept going even though she needed total care. She outlived all of her siblings and her Rose Farm peers.

Finally, a special thanks goes out to all who cared so lovingly for Agatha and to Wiebe Funeral Home.

The celebration of life for Agatha will be held Saturday, June 27th at 11:00 am at Winkler EMM Church with burial at Rose Farm Cemetery (located 7 miles north of Horndean and half a mile west).  A prayer service will be held Thursday, June 25th at 7pm at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler. Viewing will also be at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler on Friday, June 26th from 1 to 6pm and at the church prior to the service. 

Donations may be made to Back to the Bible Broadcast.