KATHERINA GIESBRECHT

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KATHERINA GIESBRECHT Katherina Giesbrecht passed away peacefully February 10, 2011 at Donwood Personal Care Home, Winnipeg. She was born to Johann and Katherina (Epp) Rempel in Kamenskaja, Russia on January 14, 1910. The family of ten moved to Omsk, Siberia soon, living in great poverty, but hoping that Siberia would be a safer place to live. In 1926, after repeated attempts, the family received permission to immigrate to Canada. They settled in Winnipeg and Katherina, at age 16, as well as her older sister, worked as maids to support the family. After five years in Winnipeg, during which Katherina worked and was able to study one year at Winkler Bible School, they moved to Sardis, BC. Again Katherina worked as a maid and nanny in Vancouver in order to help her family. She married John Giesbrecht from Winnipeg in 1948. The families had known each other in Russia. Carol and Peter were born soon after. In 1965, John died of a massive heart attack. Mom learned to rely on God as her heavenly Father to sustain her and give her strength for each day to raise two young children and to live with loneliness. She was an active member of her church into her eighties. She participated in many church activities, loved the ladies group, volunteered as a deaconess for a few years. Mom was also actively involved in the lives of her granddaughters and loved to have them visit. A train trip to BC was a highlight for her, Melanie and Amy. Her prayer was to live long enough to be at the first wedding and she was there in 2002 at Melanie and Ed Snow's wedding. We will miss her faithful prayers for all of us. Until age 85, Mom lived in her own home. She then moved to Donwood South for nine years and spent the last six years of her life at Donwood Personal Care Home. She enjoyed participating in all the functions of Donwood until her 100th birthday. We are very grateful to the kind staff of Donwood who took such compassionate care of her, including the chaplain, Wanda Derksen. We also thank the pastors, deacons and her friends at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren church for visiting her regularly and encouraging her and praying with her. She is survived by daughter Carol and (husband) Walter Warkentin, son Peter and (wife) Jacky, granddaughter Melanie and (husband) Edward Snow and great-grandson Ethan Snow all of Winnipeg area and granddaughter Amy Warkentin of Vancouver. Katherina was predeceased by husband John, her parents, and all her siblings. The funeral will be held at Klassen Funeral Home on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Hans Paul Funk officiating. I lift up my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1 Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 Send expressions of sympathy at www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2011