My father Isaac Dyck was born in Neuhorst, Chortitza in 1892, and my mother Margaret Epp, was born in Neuendorf, Chortitza in 1895. My siblings were Isaac, Peter, Jacob, Henry, Mary, Anne and Kathy. I was the oldest daughter. Our family lived in Neuendorf, 10 Kilometres from Chortitza. My first childhood memory is of going to market with my father and brother in 1930. It was a cold day in December and I was covered with a warm blanket in our horse-drawn sleigh.

Children were expected to start school at eight years, but I wanted to go when I was seven. As a result, Mr. Isaac, the teacher, said that I could come providing I would keep up with the others in my class, which I did. Neuendorf had a big elementary school with one room per class. The two story high school, formerly a mill, stood nearby. Students spent seven years in elementary school and three years in high school. During recess time we played volleyball. One of our teachers was a great story teller and we'd stay after school just to listen to him.

Our village had two flour mills; one for white wheat flour and the other for rye flour. I remember when World War II started and the Ukrainian boys in the next village said, "This is ours now." It was unusual to see a Russian in our village.

When I had finished elementary school, I needed to stay home to help mother who was expecting my sister Kathy. My father, who had been a farmer until 1930, became a book keeper for our brigade (collective farm). Thirty to thirty-five families worked together and got food in return. We had our own cow, garden and orchard with apricot, cherry and plum trees. The fruit was dried for winter use and made healthy snacks.

In 1942 the German-speaking people were evacuated by the Russians. We did not want to cross to the east side of the Dnieper River. My father chose a wagon pulled by oxen because they moved very slowly. He was hoping the German army would overtake us and they did. The following morning, our parents saw the Russian army fleeing. The Germans were surprised when they heard us speak the German language. It was summer and now all villagers could return home in time for the harvest.

In 1943, my oldest brother, Isaac, who was a translator, was killed when their car hit a landmine. My family retreated to Poland with the Germans. I went to Germany to work in a factory in Berlin. My brothers Peter and Jacob were drafted into the army. The Germans drafted men from 16 to 60 years of age. This included our father who was 53 years old and sickly; we never heard from him again.

During this time, the factory I worked in was transferred to Oberfranken, in southern Germany. My mother with the younger siblings came to where I lived. Soon thereafter we found out that some of our relatives lived in Sachsen. The war was now over so we packed all our worldly goods into a baby buggy and went to Sachsen. A few days later, however, we found out that this area would become the Russian sector. Germany at that time was divided into three sectors: Russian, American and English. Along with our relatives, we left to go farther into Germany and settled in Westfalia on an estate. It was summer and they needed workers for the harvest. In the meantime, my two brothers came home also.

While working on this estate, we met other Mennonites living on the neighbouring estate. Among them was a minister, Mr. Penner. Consequently, we were able to have church services in our homes. Mr. Penner also instructed some of us who had not been baptized, in catechism. My brother Peter and I were among a large group baptized by Rev. Henry Winter, Senior, in 1947.

Although we wanted to come to Canada, we did not have any close relatives to sponsor us. MCC, together with the International Refugee Organization found a way for two of my brothers to come and work in Alberta on a ranch. I, along with 200 girls, came to Canada as domestic help. Our passage was free, but we had to promise to work at this place for one year. I was very fortunate to be assigned to a professor at Guelph University. His mother-in-law was an invalid and they needed help taking care of her. They were wonderfully good and kind people. After the elderly lady died and the professor retired, I moved to Kitchener, Ontario, to live with my family who were now all in Canada. There I found a job with a finance company. I worked there until 1952.

In 1952, our church youth group took part in a retreat in Leamington, Ontario. Here I met Peter Toews and we were married at the George Street Mennonite Church in Kitchener in September of that year. Reverend H.P. Epp officiated. We lived on Concession 4 in Leamington, on Peter's parents' farm which we purchased in 1953. We lived there for 37 years until we moved into town.

Today we have three children, 6 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

AK2008

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