Giesbrecht, David (1915-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Dec 6 p. 24

Birth date: 1915 Feb 13

text of obituary:

DAVID GIESBRECHT

David Giesbreht passed away Oct. 13. He was born Feb. 13, 1915 to Peter P. Giesbrecht and Elizabeth Wittenberg in Wohldenfuerst, Kuban, Russia. Many times God spared him from death through violence and disease. Over 3 years the family journeyed through Holland, Belgium, Spain, Cuba, Mexico and California to Nelson, B.C. The family worked on a rented farm and enjoyed family "church". He moved to Yarrow, B.C . in 1928. He had sporadic schooling, but learned the Bible from P. D. Loewen and David Nightingale, and read. He worked in the hop fields in summer and cut firewood in winter. At a New Year's Eve service in Yarrow in 1934, he accepted Jesus through Matt. 23:37. He married Lydia Redekopp Apr. 21, 1940. He enjoyed working as a trucker and fruit and dairy farmer, and was grateful for God's provision. After retiring from trucking in 1972, he worked 5 years for Yarrow Water Works. He enjoyed hiking up to Vedder Mountain Water Reservoir; bowling; visiting friends; travelling to Alaska, Mexico and California; volunteering with MCC; and sponsoring orphaned children in developing countries. He sang heartily while driving, recited poems; led daily family Bible reading and prayer, set up family trips to places such as Grand Coulee Dam; and hosted exuberant family gatherings. Lydia died Sept. 1, 1992. He moved to Bevan Lodge, Abbotsford, B.C. Predeceased by Lydia, 4 siblings and 1 granddaughter, he is mourned by sons John, Ralph, Robert, Victor, Gerald, Philip and Harold; 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grand- children; and 5 siblings. The funeral was Oct. 19 in Yarrow MB Church, with Ron Braun ministering.