John Goertzen

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John Ewert Goertzen
April 3, 1926 – February 1, 2014

On February 1st 2014, John E. Goertzen passed away peacefully at his home.

John was born to Isaac and Maria Goertzen on April 3rd 1926 in Waterloo Ontario, approximately one month after his parents emigrated from Russia. His childhood and teenage years were spent on the family farm just east of Landmark. There were many stops on his path towards his full time career in farming, some of these included farm labour, lumber camp, road construction and working at Bergmann meats. Many of these jobs were enjoyable but his true passion was farming.

Christianity has always been a very important part of John’s life. He was baptized as a young adult upon confession of his faith. Later he attended Winkler Bible School where his faith was made stronger. This growth continued throughout his life. Even until his last days he and Ernie regularly read the Daily Bread and prayed together.

John married the love of his life Elizabeth on April 22nd 1956. They shared many fond times together such as going to Moose Lake, holidays to the States, going to Winnipeg with hogs, blueberry picking and looking for lady slippers. They shared 55 harmonious years and enjoyed farming together with the blessing of retiring on their original farm location.

We remember our dad as a devoted husband and loving father, gentle and quiet spirited, kind and tender hearted, humble, generous, forgiving, soft spoken, easy going, unselfish and hard working. He really loved children and especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They had a special place in his heart. We saw his strong faith carry him through life and the challenges that it brought, including caring for our mom during 8 years of illness. We often heard him sing songs to the Lord and heard him pray thanking God for grace that saved him and ending with a request for forgiveness. He daily yielded his life to God.

Countless hours were enjoyed with Ernie traveling to Pansy to feed cattle and work the land. He felt it was relaxing and an enjoyable experience. Ernie spent many selfless months tending to Dad. We as a family are very grateful for his love and care to honor our Dad’s wishes to live at home.

Left to treasure Johns memories are his family, John (Linda), Dave (Neom), Marianne (Terry) Heide and Ernie. He will be fondly remembered by his 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered by his siblings and in-laws from the Goertzen and Bergmann families. He was predeceased by his cherished wife Elizabeth, his stillborn son, his parents, and three brothers.

The family wishes to thank homecare staff, Debbie Krahn, Dr. Reimer, and Dr. Duerksen.

Viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Manitoba. Viewing also at the church prior to the service.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church, 340 Second Street, Steinbach, Manitoba with interment to follow at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach.

As an expression of sympathy donations may be made in John’s memory to Gideon Memorial Bible Plan; PO Box 3619 Stn Main; Guelph, Ontario, NIH 9Z9.

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

As published in The Carillon on Feb 04, 2014