Harold Goossen

Obituary

My beloved husband, our dear father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born to Frank P. and Anna Goossen on June 18, 1924, in the Morris, Manitoba area. God called him home, to be in his angel choir, peacefully in the early morning on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Maplewood Manor in Steinbach, Manitoba. He lived a full life reaching the age of 93 years.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior, upon forgiveness of sins our Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on March 29, 1940. His faith was very precious to him and he embraced it to the end. He was a devoted husband to our Mom, taking exceptional care of her and his family.

Dad grew up near McTavish, Manitoba area receiving his education at the Clover Plain School and helping on his father’s farm. Our Dad was pulled out of school to help on the farm, as he was the stronger one of all his brothers. Dad told us how he would have to walk 18 miles a day behind a horse with a harrow. Here is where our Dad grew to become a true farmer at heart.

In the late 40 ‘s, Dad went to work in a bush camp. It’s when he came home from camp he met our dear mother, Annie Rempel. Dad took our Mother’s hand in marriage on February 18, 1951, in Rosenort, Manitoba, they shared almost 67 years together. To their union came one son, one daughter, one foster son, as well as several other foster children, Ronnie and Denise.

Dad raised our family on a farm near Silver Plains, Manitoba. Our Dad enjoyed growing crops and raising animals. In our Dad’s vocabulary there was no such a word as “CAN’T”! He had his full trust in us children to drive the farm machinery and get the field work done.

Our Dad was gifted with music, he would write and compose music. When our parents moved into the Maplewood Manor on February 7, 2017 our Dad was often heard singing. As his health declined the past few weeks Dad would still sing, but he would mostly sing the notes, as opposed to the words. He held onto his gift of music till 5 days before his passing.

Dad and Mom spent several years in the mission work with a few years in Hague, Sask. And also a few years in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the East Gate Children’s Home.

Our Dad was a thankful man, with quiet strength and a very generous heart. Dad had a gift to visit with whomever he met.

He leaves to mourn: his loving wife Annie; their son Galen and wife Lois of Benito, Manitoba; their daughter Lenora and husband John Edwards of Hamilton, Montana; four grandchildren: Kristin Penner, Joel and Rebecca Goossen, Jared and Tessa Goossen and Kaylee Goossen; three great-granddaughters: Cassidy, Nova and Brookelyn.

He is survived by his sisters: Marie Toews, Mae Toews, Evelyn and Leonard Penner, Pearl Thiessen, brothers-in-law Bill and Janet Rempel, and Vernon Broese; sisters-in-law: Marlena Goossen, Dorothy Rempel, Edna Rempel, Marina Rempel and Caroline and Herbert Goossen.

He was predeceased by three brothers, two sisters and one foster son of 19 years, Raymond.

The family wishes to express appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the Maplewood Manor for their loving and wonderful care of Dad, for the past 11 months. As well to their granddaughter Kristin and her girls for taking the time to visit them weekly. As well to Pat Harder for taking Mom to her appointments and just stopping by to spend time with Dad and Mom; your thoughtfulness will be remembered and ever so greatly appreciated by us the family.

Viewing will be Friday, January 26, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 W, Steinbach, MB.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., at the Rosenort Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Rosenort, MB, with interment at the church cemetery.