George H. Born

Obituary

There is no way to condense a life of 101 years into a short obituary. We also can’t tell you all our stories; we simply don’t have the time. Here is a small glimpse at the life and times of our dad.

On October 6, 1917 Gerhard Heinrich Born was born to Heinrich and Anna Born in the R.M. of Stanley. He was always known as “George”. He passed away on December 4, 2018 at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

On December 4, 2011, his wife Margaret passed away at Rest Haven Nursing Home, Steinbach, MB.

He was also predeceased by two sons Conrad and Arnold, and four grandchildren – Jesse, Trudy, Mitch & Jan.

He is survived by his children Miriam (Robbis), Elvira (Peter), daughter-in-law Lesya (Arnold’s widow), Conrad’s children: Sandra (Bruce), John (Julia), Margaret (Mel), Rose (Wayne), Tom, and their families. There are 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren & two great-great-grandchildren.

He was born the 7th child of 13 children. He is survived by one sister Elsie of Winnipeg and a huge extended family.

Dad told us that at 15 years of age, he quit school to look after the family farm. He said he had a lonely childhood.

George and Margaret (Peters) were married December 27, 1942. Shortly after the wedding they travelled to BC where dad finished his stint as CO (conscientious objector) worker. After this was done, they moved back to Manitoba – the Altona area. Their lives changed as the children came along. When all was said and done, there were 9 of us. Mom and Dad lived most of their lives in the Steinbach/Blumenort area.

Dad built a house in Altona; now looking back, we realize he always was a carpenter. These skills were honed as the years went along. He remodeled the kitchen in the house on the farm; he built a windmill when they bought a restaurant; he helped renovate when children had house projects; he helped “fix up” a Boller trailer; he built dollhouses; an old truck; toy chests; he built almost anything asked of him. Many of us have wonderful things dad built. In 1997, he built each of his children a wonderful grandfather clock.

Dad had many jobs; an early memory is of him working at the oil plant in Altona. He was a farm hand, a stationery engineer at Crescent Creamery, restauranteur, bus driver and local municipal councilor.

Dad was a man before his time. he was active in cooking, gardening and child care. Our Dad played with us. We remember games of baseball, “give me a light”, “no bears out tonight” to name a few. Our yard was the “go to” place in the neighborhood, and our dad was the only dad playing with the children.

Life was not without its challenges and heartaches. Through it all, dad always knew that his Heavenly Father loved him. He accepted Christ as his Saviour and till his final hours, he trusted God’s grace, forgiveness and love.

During these last tough days our prayer for him became: “Our Father who art in Heaven, please take our father to heaven.”

There is no way to list all the people whom we would like to thank for the love and care they gave our Dad, but Uncle Paul and Aunt Liz, your faithfulness in visiting, taking Dad out, and phoning regularly has not gone unnoticed. Thank you.

Dad loved his Fernwood community. Thank you to the wonderful home care workers who took good care of him. Thank you to the ladies who delivered his meals.

When Dad was finding it too difficult to go to the clinic to see his doctor, Dr. Allen made “apartment” calls. Thank you.

Dad went to hospital on November 24th, the care he received from doctors and nurses during the next 11 days was truly amazing. Thank you; as a family, we are forever grateful.

Auf wiedersehn dad!

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. The burial will follow at the Memorial Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of George may be made to Operation Smile Canada Foundation, 375 University Ave., Suite 204, Toronto, ON M5G 2J5.

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