Alfred Goossen

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ALFRED GOOSSEN
May 24, 1931 - February 11, 2016

After living a full life Alfred Goossen, our husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, February 11, 2016. The final illness that took his life was brief. His wife and all the children were with him at his bedside as he journeyed across the river to a better land. Dad was born on May 24, 1931 to Frank P. and Anna (Wiebe) Goossen. He lived to be 84.

During the memorable Flood of 1950, Dad together with others of the Rosenort community, evacuated their homes and found refuge in a locality of higher ground. Dad ended up in the home of Jacob M. Penners in the Greenland area. Here lived a lively young lady named Marlena Penner. She was the perfect match for our dad. When our parents married in 1954 they built a small house right on the home farm. Later they bought the farm and continued living there till retirement took them to a house in the town of Rosenort. Dad lived at the same place for 72 years.

Dad was a farmer. He tilled the land, had laying hens, and occasionally raised some cattle. Being a farmer meant spending lots of time with the family. Long before we were of any help to dad, we were going along wherever he went. We were never a bother or a nuisance. All six of us children had a happy childhood. The doors of Dad and Mom’s home were wide open. Many guests entered. Those who needed a place to stay for a time were also welcome.

At the age of 12, Dad realized his need of a Saviour and gave his heart to the Lord. He was baptised into the Church of God in Christ. This faith was precious to him. He believed in it all his life. Dad started the family’s day with Bible reading and prayer. At the end of the day, we again knelt down and had a prayer. Going to Church was never an option, we just went..

In the 1980’s our parents were very actively involved with the Children’s Homes in Winnipeg. Back then the Homes were run without live-in houseparents. This meant a lot of involvement for those on the board. Their eight years were busy and rewarding. Many lasting friendships were made with the girls. Later Dad served on the Maplewood Manor Board. Later yet, when they had reached their so-called retirement years, they had the vim and vigor to be houseparents at the CPS Unit in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. It was another highlight in their life.

As Dad was approaching his 80th year, we noticed his health was failing. Parkinson’s had become his partner. Later life became confusing for him as dementia set in. Mom rose to the challenge. They continued to live in their home in Rosenort until it seemed to us children that the load was getting too much. He moved into Maplewood Manor in June of 2014. He was loved by all.

Those left behind with fond memories are, Marlena his loving wife of 61 years, his children: Valerie and Paul Rempel, Darla and Byron Loewen of Rosenort, Dalen and Betty of Altona, Cam and Lisa of Rosenort, Marilee and LaVern Dueck of Whitemouth and Candace of Steinbach; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and family friend Chentelle Hiebert. Also surviving are one brother, Harold & Annie, four sisters: Marie Toews, Mae Toews, Evelyn and Leonard Penner, Pearl Thiessen. He was pre-deceased by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

A big thank-you to the Maplewood Manor for their kind and dedicated care to our dad during the last year and a half.

The viewing will be take place on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rosenort Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, with the interment following at the church cemetery.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Feb 13, 2016