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David Giesbrecht

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Birth	:	31 Jan 1915 Odeska, Ukraine
Death	:	13 Oct 2002 Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Burial	:	Yarrow Mennonite Cemetery, Yarrow, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate	:	49.0871100, -122.0724900
Plot	:	17-24
Description	:	David Giesbrecht peacefully passed away into the presence of Jesus at Bevan Lodge, Abbotsford, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002 at the age of 87 years. He was born in Kuban, Russia, immigrated to Canada via Mexico as a child, and settled in Yarrow, where he farmed and supported the physical needs of his family, church, and his community for 70 years. David is predeceased by his wife Lydia in 1994; and one grandchild. He is survived by his seven sons; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five brothers and sisters. David Giesbrecht peacefully passed away into the presence of Jesus, at... Read More	David Giesbrecht peacefully passed away into the presence of Jesus at Bevan Lodge, Abbotsford, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2002 at the age of 87 years. He was born in Kuban, Russia, immigrated to Canada via Mexico as a child, and settled in Yarrow, where he farmed and supported the physical needs of his family, church, and his community for 70 years. David is predeceased by his wife Lydia in 1994; and one grandchild. He is survived by his seven sons; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five brothers and sisters. David Giesbrecht peacefully passed away into the presence of Jesus, at Bevan Lodge, Abbotsford, BC, on Sunday, October 13, 2002, at the age of 87 years. As much a possible we will be using Dad's words to bring his story to you. David was born to Peter P. Giesbrecht and Elizabeth Wittenberg in Wohldenfuerst, Kuban, Russia, on Januaray 31, 1915, by the Russian calendar. According to our calendar, his birthday was celebrated on February 13th. He was the fifth of ten living children who survived infancy. From his early childhood memories, he states, "Many times God spared me from death through army action and disease." He further states -- "I remember the urgency as we prepared to leave Russia when I was nine. This was a time of fear and a time of faith-building for me. As we crossed the border from Russia, I can still recall the whole train rejoicing in our safety by singing hymns." The family's journey from Russia to Canada took three years; during this time he briefly stayed in Holland, with stop-overs in Belgium, Spain and Cuba, before finally arriving in Vera Cruz in Mexico. Dad tells us he resettled twice in Mexico, first in the south, and then in the north, before leaving for Nelson, BC, via California. Dad arrived in Nelson in snow with his parents, nine siblings and no money. Though poor, he fondly remembers his family working on a rented farm and enjoying family church as set up by his father. Then Dad moved to Yarrow in the spring of 1928. Up to this time, Dad's formal schooling had included two years in Russia in the German language, a partial year in Mexico, during which he learned his multiplication tables, one year in Meadow Spurs (Nelson), and then two years in Yarrow with teacher Carl Wilson. Any further schooling was initiated by himself and included Bible learning with P.D. Loewen and David Nightingale, as well as self-directed reading. David's youth was a time of work in the hop fields in summer and fall, and in the woods cutting firewood in the winter. He recalls how Jesus became his Lord and Saviour. "It was in 1934, when I was 19 years old, the church in Yarrow held a New Year's Eve service where the whole community attended. My heart was heart and part of the scripture message came from Matthew 23:37 where Jesus said that as a hen gathers her chicks, so He would gather me." Dad rested on that promise of God's continual care. On April 21, 1940, when Dad was 25, he married Lydia Redekopp and they moved into a small two-room house, furnished with a new bedroom set and a new stove, as he tells it. Dad also says that "I enjoyed work and I was grateful for God's provision and for work's rewards. I worked outside the home as a trucker, and a small fruit and dairy farmer. Lydia worked inside the home supporting me and managing the household and garden." Dad's sons remember these highlights from his early family years: Dad singing heartily while driving; Dad reciting memorized poems; Dad leading daily family Bible reading and prayer; and Dad setting up exciting trips, such as the one to Grand Coulee Dam. In 1972, Dad retired from trucking and he began a new chapter in his life. He worked for 5 years for the Yarrow Water Works, during which time he enjoyed hiking up to Vedder Mountain Water Reservoir. He also enjoyed social activities; such as bowling and visiting friends; traveling excursions to Alaska, Mexico and California; volunteering opportunities, such as the M.C.C.; and relief work, such as sponsoring orphaned children in developing countries. Dad has twenty-one grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, and five brothers and sisters who survive him. His grandchildren remember these highlights from his retirement years: Dad taking them to Playland in the back of his truck; Dad attending softball games; Dad pulling a stone boat loaded full of grandchildren; Dad banging the water pipes as the wake-up signal in the morning after a sleep-over; and Dad and Mom hosting the exuberant family gatherings. Dad's retirement changed direction abruptly with Mom's death on September 1, 1994 He missed her greatly and often referred to her as his queen and angel. Dad moved to Bevan Lodge, in Abbotsford, in February of 2000. Dad is predeceased by his wife, Lydia, four siblings and one granddaughter. At a family reunion in 1996, Dad stated "God has been faithful to meet my needs both physically and spiritually. To Him be the glory."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is David Giesbrecht's memorial?
David Giesbrecht's memorial is located at: Yarrow Mennonite Cemetery, Yarrow, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada.
When did David Giesbrecht death?
David Giesbrecht death on 13 Oct 2002 in Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the David Giesbrecht's memorial?
Latitude: 49.0871100
Longitude: -122.0724900

Family Members:

Parent

Peter Peter Giesbrecht Sr.

(1883 - 1963)

Elizabeth Wittenberg Giesbrecht

(1886 - 1959)

Spouse

Lydia Redekopp Giesbrecht

(1918 - 1994)

Siblings

Margaret Giesbrecht Derksen

(1906 - 1992)

Peter Peter Giesbrecht

(1909 - 1981)

Elizabeth Vera Giesbrecht Dahl

(1911 - 1987)

Mary Ann Giesbrecht Friesen

(1913 - 2001)

Susie Alice Giesbrecht Derksen

(1916 - 2017)

Gertrude Giesbrecht Abrahams

(1919 - 2009)

Cornelius “Corny” Giesbrecht

(1921 - 2021)

Helena “Lena” Giesbrecht Isaac

(1923 - 2012)

John Giesbrecht

(1925 - 2020)

George Giesbrecht

(1928 - 1928)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Yarrow Mennonite Cemetery
Yarrow, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0871100, -122.0724900

2. Greendale Cemetery
Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1112800, -121.9889800

3. Vedder View Gardens Cemetery
Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1113300, -121.9878800

4. Soowahlie First Nation Cemetery
Soowahlie, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0866390, -121.9653890

5. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1112100, -121.9494700

6. Carman Cemetery
Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1112140, -121.9494650

7. Ch'iyàqtel Cemetery
Tzeachten, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1145750, -121.9391710

8. Deroche First Nations Cemetery
Deroche, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1888400, -122.0747800

9. Saint Peters Cemetery
Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9794006, -122.1406021

10. Musselwhite Cemetery
Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0419100, -122.2448900

11. Hazelwood Cemetery
Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0629600, -122.2815200

12. Hatzic Cemetery
Hatzic, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1599998, -122.2570038

13. Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery
Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0604553, -122.2841415

14. Chilliwack Cemeteries
Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1836128, -121.9063110

15. Westminster Abbey Cemetery
Mission, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1564000, -122.2730800

16. Oblates of Mary Immaculate Cemetery
Mission, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1403461, -122.2859594

17. Sumas Cemetery
Sumas, Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9819880, -122.2480330

18. Maple Falls Cemetery
Maple Falls, Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9208320, -122.0817140

19. Old Maple Falls Cemetery
Maple Falls, Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9207000, -122.0757000

20. South Poplar Cemetery
Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0142975, -122.3157730

21. Saint Annes Cemetery
Sumas, Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9892000, -122.3000000

22. Matsqui First Nation Cemetery
Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.1054600, -122.3533600

23. Kendall Cemetery
Kendall, Whatcom County, USA
Coordinate: 48.8939018, -122.1461029

24. Pretty Family Cemetery
Harrison Mills, Fraser Valley Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2826900, -121.9483500