Frieda Schellenberg Erb, 81, who touched many lives through her lifetime of ministry in Bolivia and Argentina, died November 14, in Choele Choel, Argentina.
Frieda founded Centro de Desarrollo Infantil Las Ovejitas (Little Sheep Children’s Development Center) and was part of the leadership team at Iglesia Menonita Zona Norte (North Zone Mennonite Church) in Choele Choel, where she and her husband, Delbert Erb, were members.
The congregation honored Frieda with a Facebook post the day of her death. The English translation reads, "Today, a faithful servant of Christ, who blessed our lives with her effort and work for those who needed it most — especially with the little ones — departed into the presence of our Lord … Sister in Christ, grandmother and mother to many, we will remember her with much love."
Born October 19, 1940, in Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Elizabeth (Kroeker) and Jacob Schellenberg, Frieda grew up in a family of 11 children. In the early 1960s, she went to Bolivia through Mennonite Central Committee, where she worked as a nurse and with the Bolivia Mennonite Church, which was just emerging that time.
Frieda served in Bolivia for more than 20 years. Following her marriage to Delbert in 1982, they served together in Bolivia for a year, before going to Argentina, where Delbert had worked previously. Supported by Mennonite Board of Missions, a predecessor agency of Mennonite Church Canada Witness and Mennonite Mission Network, Frieda and Delbert served with Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Argentina (IEMA, Argentina Mennonite Church) during a period when IEMA was growing in its own missionary vision.
This led to the formation of the Patagonia Mission Project (PMP), which inspired the Erbs to retire in Choele Choel in 1996, where they continued to contribute to this Argentine missionary endeavor. Frieda also served as Latin American secretary for Mennonite Board of Missions for several years, alongside her work with the church in Argentina.
Frieda helped make a connection with individuals and churches in Illinois, which formed Arm in Arm (AIA) and joined PMP and Mission Network in a Global Mission Partnership. The Erbs facilitated the partnership, hosted many visitors and mentored people who came to Argentina to serve.
Elizabeth Nachtigall, a representative of the Illinois congregations, spent more than two years serving in Argentina through the PMP/AIA partnership, in addition to participating in five shorter trips. She also served as a co-facilitator for the partnership, preparing the prayer calendar and encouraging communication between Argentina and Illinois.
Elizabeth said that Frieda was a wonderful role model and mentor for her.
"Whether sitting around the table drinking mate [an herbal tea] or simply chatting in the living room, I am grateful for the many pearls of wisdom Frieda shared from her vast experiences working in both Bolivia and Argentina," Elizabeth said. "I learned from her example of faithfulness to the Lord amidst whatever circumstances arose."
Sherry Litwiller, one of the many AIA visitors to Patagonia, appreciated that Delbert and Frieda did not gloss over the difficult issues the church was facing.
"They helped me understand that engaging with people in Jesus’s name is sometimes messy but that it’s important to be obedient to the calling to go into all the world to make disciples," Sherry said.
Linda Shelly, Mission Network’s director for Latin America, said that the Erbs had already ‘retired’ by the time she started working with Mennonite Mission Network in 2002.
"However, they intentionally chose to live in Choele Choel, because they saw ample opportunity to serve there with their gifts," Linda said. "I appreciate the many ways in which they supported the churches in Patagonia and facilitated south/north relationships that strengthened mission work across continents."
Janet Plenert served as Mission Network’s director for Latin America from 2000-2002 and in a variety of leadership roles with Mennonite Church Canada Witness from 2001-2011. Janet emphasized Frieda’s hospitality along with her energy for God’s work.
"She was creative and innovative, beginning with her Bolivia MCC work, decades ago, when she was involved in nursing and education programs," Plenert said. "Her loyalty to the work of God’s church seemed to compel her to action. Frieda and Delbert retired from church ministry into a retired life of church ministry! They just kept going, doing what they loved."
Frieda is survived by her husband, Delbert; two stepsons, David and Miguel Erb, in Buenos Aires, Argentina; stepdaughter, Patricia Erb, in Ontario, Canada; and many friends from her church families in Argentina, Bolivia, Canada and the United States.
A memorial service was held in Choele Choel Nov. 15. A virtual memorial service will take place Dec. 11 at 11:00 a.m. EST. Anyone wishing to participate may register in advance at https://MCUSA.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtfumspzIpH9RQoc3VChcKEKK-T1W3Uj8a. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting.
