Doerksen – Jake P Doerksen, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and loving life partner to Anne (Wiens) Doerksen for 64 years, passed away peacefully on Dec 2, 2021 at the age of 94. Brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, friend, acquaintance – every relationship was acknowledged with genuine interest and enthusiasm. We appreciate that for so many this was truly reciprocal. Jake lived a full, active and productive life. He was a champion of community, an advocate for positive change and did not hesitate to get involved. Jake and Anne lived and farmed together in Gem, AB from their marriage in 1955 until 2012, when they retired to Strathmore. Jake loved farming, which he enjoyed with his father, sons and grandsons, but farming & ranching were not the only interests to which he was dedicated. Jake often took the lead in organizing with neighbours to improve the local community including the Gem Mutual Telephone Co in the late 1950’s to increase the number of phones in Gem from 12 farms to over 40 farms, years before AGT (Telus) took over this service. Jake was the first chairman of the Gem Gas Coop, created to deliver reliable energy to farms in the area, at a time when gas Coops didn’t exist, and established utility corporations would not take on the risk. These ventures took vision, determination and cooperation, which our father valued and promoted. This often required late night meetings and trips to meet government officials & others, at times delaying important farming activities. Jake and Anne both engaged in planning for Gem’s 50th, 75th and 100th Anniversary celebrations, made possible by the amazing volunteer efforts of Gem residents. In his 20’s, Jake studied at Bible College in Winnipeg and engaged in organizing music and camping events for young people from Mennonite Brethren (MB) churches across Alberta. In 1964 Jake was asked to be the lead minister of the Gem MB Church, a role he fulfilled on a volunteer basis for 25 years. As a minister, Jake participated in County of Newell ministerial, Alberta and Canadian church conference leadership roles, invited a wide variety of guest speakers to Gem, promoted community church services, and worked towards an inclusive approach in community events. Jake valued the opportunity to officiate at weddings and funerals for Gem and area residents he had lived and worked with for years – recognizing God’s grace in the lives and relationships with people. He enjoyed curling (with a stick) in the Brooks seniors league, participating in the start of Gem Seniors Home Support and advocating with neighbours for road paving projects for years before they happened. All these involvements would not have been possible without the unwavering support & hospitality of his beloved Anne (“with an e”), whom he missed terribly after her death in Aug 2019. Dad always commented on his thankfulness for and pride in his family at our gatherings. Dad was quick to give his children responsibility for farming activities, engaging us in decisions and conversations, trusting us to do our part even when we occasionally had failures, and supporting extra-curricular participation. Jacob Peter was born on Feb 12, 1927, in St Anne, MB to Peter & Katherina Doerksen. A year later the family moved to Coaldale AB, and in 1933 they moved to Gem, to the farm Jake called home for the next 80 years. In May 2019 Jake and Anne reluctantly left their dear friends and home in Strathmore, to reside at Prince of Peace Manor in Calgary. Jake is missed by his five children and spouses, Ken (Sharon); Arno (Wanda); Cheryl Hildebrand (John); Gerry; Tim (Yvonne), 12 grandchildren and seven spouses, 14 great grandchildren, Jake’s remaining siblings and extended families. Jake was predeceased by wife Anne, parents Peter & Katherina, brother Peter Doerksen, sister Annie Peters, in-laws Henry Peters, Herb Klassen, Ted Kinash, John & Irene Wiens, Mary & Arley Harder, George Wiens, Arnin Dirks, daughter-in-law Donna Doerksen & great-granddaughter Madison Rose Doerksen. We would like to thank the staff at Prince of Peace Manor for the excellent care they provided to Dad, and their attention and graciousness to all of us during his last week. A Family Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 11th at 1:00 PM from Gem. MB Church. Rev. Les Riedger officiating. Interment to be held at Gem Cemetery. Please refer to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. Website for streaming link information. In memory of Jake, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Camp Evergreen, Box 492, Sundre, Alberta T0M 1X0 https://www.camp-evergreen.com/donate, or charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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