JOHANNA GIESBRECHT

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JOHANNA GIESBRECHT March 10, 1951 - August 24, 2016 Our dear, beloved wife, mother and grandmother; sister and friend Johanna Edna Giesbrecht went to be with her Lord, peacefully in her sleep on the morning of August 24, 2016, while in service at the East Gate Girls Unit in Winnipeg. She left us quickly and unexpectedly, leaving no time for goodbyes. In our hearts we all know we were loved and her life left us with no doubt that she is resting with her Lord. Johanna was born to Daniel B. and Dorothy Penner on March 10, 1951, in Bethesda Hospital, Steinbach, MB. In 1954, when she was three, her family moved to their new farm west of Elma, MB. Many stories were told about growing up with her sisters, brothers and cousins. She worked hard picking rocks, making hay, and gathering eggs. Mom learned to drive at a young age and spent hours on the field helping her dad. She enjoyed reading and spent many happy hours playing in the yard and by the river. Her youngest brother, Tim, held a special place in her heart and she spent a lot of time caring for him. The death of her 12 year old cousin, Linden Penner, was a tragic experience in her childhood that left a lasting impression. Johanna gave her heart to God and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on November 24, 1963 by Minister Earvey Ensz. These vows were precious to her; she was faithful to the end. Church was very important to her and she was concerned about the spiritual welfare of her family. She especially enjoyed the Sewing Circle. She attended the Stony Hill School for eight years, walking or biking the one and a quarter miles to school with her siblings and cousins. She loved school and especially enjoyed Geography, telling us that when she learned about the continents she never dreamed she would visit so many of them. She went to Whitemouth High School for Grades 9 and 10. Johanna went to work for Barkman Electric, where I, Ken, worked as an electrician. We got married on May 14, 1971. We lived at Victoria Arms Apartment in Winnipeg for the first year. We lived in Lynn Lake for five months, where our first baby was born, after which we settled on a farm south of Elma along the Whitemouth River, where we farmed chickens. Johanna enjoyed cleaning up the old buildings and burning the clutter. A new house was built in 1976, where we raised our six sons. As our sons got married she welcomed her new daughters into the family. In June of 1998, Mom was involved in a serious accident at Richer, MB, where she was thrown from the vehicle resulting in a broken back. We were grateful to God that her life was spared. She spent many days in the hospital and greatly appreciated Dad driving in every day to visit. She was very thankful for her recovery although she regretted not being able to stand as straight as she did before. She was ambitious and full of vigour and loved getting up early. She loved planting and tilling in her garden and especially loved the fresh food it produced. Mom loved mowing lawn and taming trees with the lawnmower, including making trails in the bush. She enjoyed inviting company, and it seemed like there could never be too many people. She especially loved having us children over for supper and reading to her grandchildren and playing games with them. She loved our sewing and cookie baking days. Mom often expressed a desire to serve in a girls unit and very much enjoyed their times volunteering at the East Gate CPS Unit. She will be greatly missed by her husband Ken; her six sons: Richard and Wanda, and their children, Cheyanne, Emily, Jack and Meghan; Jonathan and Cynthia, and their children, Carter, Sterling, and Sabrina; Stanton; Larry; Roger and Theresa, and their children, Tessa, Kate, Molly, and Max, presently serving in Peru; David and Lynora, and their children, Derek and Leah, all from Elma, MB; her stepmother Caroline Penner; her mother-in-law Elda Giesbrecht, Steinbach, MB; her siblings: Margaret Penner, Niverville, MB; Donalda and Charles Goossen, Hyas, SK; Ruth and Gilbert Janzen, Kleefeld, MB; Rene and Janice Penner, Berwick, NS; Dennis and Monica Penner, Elma, MB; Sharon and Ron Giesbrecht, St. Mary's, ON; Lois and Charles Penner, Mountain Grove, MO; Tim Penner; and Tamara Toews, Steinbach, MB; and her in-laws: Norma Giesbrecht; Fran Giesbrecht, Steinbach, MB; Clint Giesbrecht; Les and Glenna Giesbrecht; and Marilyn and Rod Toews, Elma, MB. She was predeceased by her parents, Dan and Dorothy; father-in-law Erwin Giesbrecht; and one sister-in-law Carol Giesbrecht. Memories and viewing will be held on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy. 52W, Steinbach, MB. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Whitemouth Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Whitemouth, MB. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 27, 2016