Kristin Serger

KRISTIN DAWN (HIEBERT) SERGER

April 23, 1984-December 19, 2023

Kristin Dawn (Hiebert) Serger age 39 years, of Altona, MB passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, after a 3 ½ year journey with colon cancer.

Left to share in her legacy are her loving husband Peter and children Roain and Mercedes; parents Terry and Luann Hiebert, bother Kevin and Lori Hiebert (Taryn and Orrin), sister Kerri Hiebert, grandparents Allen and Betty Schellenberg; parents-in-law Michael and Hedy Serger and their children Morgan and Krista Serger (Obadiah, Enoch, Amos, Hannah, Isaiah), Erin and Josh Siemens (Abigail and Gideon), grandmother Helen Bergmann, many friends, and extended family.

Kristin was born on April 23, 1984, in Morden MB to Terry and Luann (Schellenberg) Hiebert, and moved to Waco TX, then Warman SK, where she went to elementary school, took piano lessons, enjoyed church clubs, and made close friends. She moved to Steinbach MB in grade 6, continued in piano, enjoyed church youth, played soccer, and made many friends. She pursued band and choir at Steinbach SRSS and worked at Sobeys.

Kristin had a deep love for God and desired to share that love with the people she met. She was involved in the Gospel Fellowship Church Youth, the youth worship team, and counselling at Beaver Creek Bible Camp. Kristin declared her faith in Jesus by baptism on May 28, 2000, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at Steinbach Bible College in 2006.

Kristin married her true love, Peter Serger, on June 21, 2003 at the Steinbach MB Church. They lived in Steinbach before moving to Thompson, Morden, South Junction, and Altona. Her travels would take her to Britain, Mexico, Europe, and Bolivia, but she loved the Maritimes and PEI the most. She loved being a mom to her two growing children, instilling the values of following Jesus, speaking truth, and living authentically. Ministry was very important as she served at Midway Bible Camp, leading a young mom’s group, doing youth and worship ministry, leading Bible studies, teaching piano, managing the MCC Thrift Store, volunteering at Youth for Christ, and serving at Altona EMMC.

Peter appreciated that Kristin was a faithful follower of Jesus to the end. Roain and Mercedes claimed that she was the best mom. She spent time with them doing puzzles and listening to them read to her. Friends indicated that Kristin was a genuine caring person who loved Jesus and made them feel valued and supported.

Kristin’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with stage 4a colon cancer on July 27, 2020. She was given 6-12 months to live three times. In the last 3 ½ years, her faith in God’s goodness was tested by chemotherapy, colon and liver surgeries, radiation, and immunotherapy.

But she was determined to claim God’s promise to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Rather than resigning to her situation, she courageously invited people to faithfully persevere through trials. She freely shared her trust in God’s goodness through her cancer journey with updates on Facebook, the Consider it Joy project during COVID, and her YouTube channel where art became therapy and worship. She was blessed with a final family trip to the Maritimes in 2022 where she persevered in walking the Skyline Trail and followed up with a 10 km walk from Altona to Gretna with family and friends in August 2023.

People who knew Kristin were aware of her deep faith, quiet tenacity, love for princess stories, and affection for the colour purple. There was a Princess Bride quote for most anything. This time we say, “Too soon my angel!” She will be deeply treasured and dearly missed by Peter, the children, family, and countless friends. But we are at peace knowing that she is safe and rejoicing in her Father’s arms.

A victory celebration for Kristin was held on Friday, December 22, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Altona EMM Church.  Viewing was at the church prior to the service. A private family interment was held at the Southside Cemetery in Morden, MB.

Thanks to the amazing staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Cancer Care Manitoba, St. Boniface Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, with special thanks to Dr. Krahn, Dr. Woelk, Mark Klassen, and the cancer nurses for their prompt and compassionate support.

Donations in memory of Kristin may be made to:

YFC Altona in support of Peter's ministry, yfcaltona.com/peter

or to Midway Bible Camp, midwaybiblecamp.com/give

Links to Kristin’s social media:

Kristin Dawn Serger on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kristin.serger

Consider it Joy Project https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/articles/the-story-behind-the-consider-it-joy-project-2

To view the livestream click on the video link below.