Margaret Giesbrecht

Margaret Giesbrecht (Dyck) of Coaldale, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away on September 7, 2024.

Margaret is survived by children: David Giesbrecht, Lori (Dick) Groenheide, Eric (Maribel) Giesbrecht, Richard (Jennifer) Giesbrecht; grandchildren: Matt (Jodi) Groenheide, LeeAnn Groenheide, Ben (Kenzie) Groenheide, Nic Groenheide, Liesel Giesbrecht, Josh Giesbrecht and Job Giesbrecht; great grandchildren: Jayna Groenheide and Miles Groenheide: brothers Henry (Judy) Dyck and Gerhard (Gisela) Dyck, brother-in-law Bill Giesbrecht and many nieces and nephews.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Jacob Giesbrecht and her parents Heinrich and Justina Dyck; brother-in-law Peter Giesbrecht, sisters-in-law Frieda Giesbrecht, Herta Dyck, and Mary (Neufeldt) (Giesbrecht) Martens.

Margaret was born in Chortitza, Ukraine, younger sister to Heiinz. It was a difficult time  to raise a family as the communist regime was very oppressive. During the second world war the German army pushed the Russian army out of the Ukraine but in 1943 they were pushed back and many Ukrainians left with the retreating German army. The Dyck family also left Ukraine and went to Prussia. From there they fled into Germany. In January 1944, mom’s brother Gerhard was born. As refugees the family moved through many different towns and cities in Germany. After the war the family started to receive refugee care packages from Canada and in 1947, they were allowed to apply to emigrate to Canada. In 1948 they were accepted and were sponsored by two uncles to come to Saskatchewan.

After a year of doing many different jobs to pay off their immigration debt they received news of more consistent work on farms in the Coaldale area and in 1949 they moved there. Mom married Jake on October 12, 1957, and they began to grow their family. David was born in Sept. 1958, and Lori in Aug. 1960, Eric followed in Nov. 1963, and Richard was born in Sept. 1972. At first they lived with dad’s mom while building their house. Dad had a steady job working at the Lethbridge Agriculture Research Station but he always wanted to be a farmer. So, in 1966 the house was sold, a farm was purchased and we packed up and moved. Mom and dad had no experience in farming and with dad still going to work everyday mom was left to keep the farm running. Mom learned to repair fences, herd cattle, help cows give birth and raise chickens, all while maintaining a household of 6. While we lived in Coaldale mom could walk everywhere in town. Dad was the only one with a driver’s license and he had their only vehicle. When we moved to the farm mom felt very isolated. She realized she needed her driver’s license. Being directionally challenged made learning to drive difficult. Finding time to practice driving and to go for the test was always a problem. After one failure mom did get her license. She never really liked driving but she got good at it. Mom started her own business selling eggs and chickens to Coaldale residents. Mom called herself a city girl but she grew to love the farm life. Her favorite time of year was spring when everything sprang to life. Calving time was a busy tiring time, but she enjoyed watching the new calves running and jumping around the pasture. Mom’s least favorite time was when the cattle were grown and sold. She was quiet on those days and kept to herself. In 1986 dad retired from the research station and became a full-time farmer easing mom’s load. In 1993 dad got cancer but recovered after the chemo treatments. While dad was in remission they bought an old house in Coaldale so they could build their retirement home on the lot but dad’s cancer returned in winter and he died in May 1995. That house became David’s temporary office. A few years later mom retired from the farm. It was sold it to Eric and Richard in 1999. Mom and Dave lived on the farm while she looked for a house in Coaldale that would accommodate them. After a few house tours mom bought a house on main street near one of the busiest intersections in Coaldale. Mom did some minor repairs and painting and in Aug. 2002 the house was ready and we made the move. Now that mom didn’t have cats or dogs or chickens to look after she needed a new hobby. What better way to spend time and money than garage sales and thrift stores. At first mom would walk but along the way she saw signs for other garage sales. So, she took the car and spent Saturday mornings touring around Coaldale often getting lost and sometimes returning with a bag or car load of treasures. Dave was to research their value on the internet. Some were great finds and were either given away or resold. This was Dave’s job as mom did not want to touch the computer. She never learned how to turn on a computer or any electronic device. Periodically mom’s collection got so big that she had her own garage sale. Mom loved to cook all the Mennonite foods and always made sure nobody left her house hungry.

Throughout her whole life our mom steadfastly trusted in God and would find time everyday to read her Bible and pray for her family and others. Mom taught junior high girls in Sunday School and donated generously to charities that believed in Jesus Christ and did work in His name.

Our mom was forced to make many moves in her life but when she came to Canada she did not want to travel far from home again. She lived in Coaldale until her death.

We will miss her but we are happy that she is in the presence of Jesus.

A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Coaldale Mennonite Church. Margaret was privately laid to rest in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery prior to her Funeral Service.

Please click on the following link to access the video recording of Margaret's Service: 

CMC Livestream Link

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