Giesbrecht – With great sadness, we announce the passing of Abram Giesbrecht, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, on Thursday March 28th, 2019 at the age of 92 years. Abe was born into a large family on May 4th, 1926 in Gouldtown, Saskatchewan. In his younger years, Abe worked between farm life in Saskatchewan and logging in the winters in Radium, B.C. After completing training as a Driver Mechanic in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1952, Abe and a buddy headed west looking for work. They got off the train in Brooks, where they were offered a job by Mr. Bender to work in Millicent, Alberta and surrounding areas on various farms. At this time he formed a friendship with Bob and Violet Bender that spanned a life time. After working several years, Abe purchased a lot in Brooks, where he built his house and met his beautiful bride Marjorie Burdett at a nursing social. Abe and Marj were married on March 18th, 1961 and were blessed with a son Tom and a daughter Marion. Abe graduated from SAIT in August, 1966 as a Journeyman Carpenter and worked on various projects around town, where he met his good friend Harry Nielsen. In 1968 the Giesbrecht’s moved to their farm in Duchess, where he combined his love of carpentry and farm life. During this time, he raised Angus cattle that were sold around the world. In 1986, Abe and Marj retired and moved back to Brooks, where he spent many hours gardening and in his work shop. Abe’s lifelong love of music blossomed in his retirement as he spent many hours either playing a keyboard, button accordion and violin. They lived in their house on Chinook Crescent until 2004, when they moved into the Newbrook Lodge. At the Lodge Abe took his love of music with him and enjoyed many hours playing the chord organ and gardening. In recent years, Abe spent many happy times with his niece Darlene Hiebert. They enjoyed road trips visiting family, trips to Tim’s or to the A&W for a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup. Darlene shared her love of cooking with Abe, always bringing him homemade pickles, jams, soups and buns and whatever else she experimented with. Abe was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie, parents, Frank and Elizabeth, his siblings and his grandson Jeffrey. Abe is survived by his son Tom (Evelyn), grandson Jonathan, and great grandchildren; daughter Marion (Reuben), grandchildren Kaeman and Camille, and numerous nieces and nephews. Our sincere thanks to all the hard work the staff at the Newbrook Lodge provided Abe and Marj over the years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 6th at 11:00 AM from Brooks United Church. Rev. Esther Crews officiating. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Abe, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652
