Henry F. Doerksen
Obituary
On Monday, July 23, 2018 in the Ste. Anne Hospital, Ste. Anne, MB Henry Doerksen went to be with his Lord and Saviour. He was 89 years old.
Dad was born on June 18, 1929 to Heinrich and Katherina Doerksen. He was the oldest of 5 children. Dad went to several different schools, Prefontaine School, a French school and also Leblanc school. He tells us he only went to grade 3, we could never quite figure out if that was true, he was often heard saying, “doat vite even eck met mean grade 3” translated means, even I with my grade 3 know that!
On July 20, l952 Dad married his sweetheart, Sara (Schmidt). They shared 55 years together before Mom went to her eternal home in 2007. Shortly after their marriage Dad rented some land and built a house on the rented property. A few years after renting they were able to purchase their farmstead and moved their house to the new home. In l967 they built a new house where Dad lived till he moved to the Niverville Credit Union Manor. Together Mom and Dad worked on their farm starting with a mixed farm and then later selling the animals and doing solely grain farming. Dad also worked at Niverville Farms managing the 4 chicken barns and 2 hog barns.
On December 16, 2007 Mom and Dad were on their way to a funeral when their truck hit black ice, Mom was killed in the accident. The next year was an extremely lonely and sad year for Dad and in November of 2008 he moved into the Niverville Credit Union Manor.
Dad fell ill on July 6 when he fell in his room and remained there on the floor for most of the day. Jac and Marina found him and took him to Ste. Anne Hospital where he remained until his death on July 23rd.
Dad is survived by four children, Clara (Melvin) and their family from West St. Paul, Kenneth (Ruby) and their family from Chilliwack BC, Margie (James) and their family from Winkler and Jacob (Marina) and their family from Niverville. 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Sara (nee Schmidt), his parents Heinrich and Katharina and one brother John.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Niverville CMC, 99 First St. South, Niverville, MB, with a viewing one hour prior to the service. The burial will follow at the Hespeler Cemetery, Niverville, MB.
Thank you to Birchwood Funeral Chapel for the service provided, Ste Anne Hospital Staff for the tender care and kindness you have shown Dad and the family. Thank you to the manor for the years of looking after Dad. Thank you to the church, to the family and friends for your kindness and love!
If friends so desire, donations in memory of Henry may be made to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Box 767, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4.
