Funeral For: John Giesbrecht
Funeral Date: July 24, 2025
John Giesbrecht, 91, of Winnipeg formerly of Blumenfeld passed away Sunday, July 13th at Poseidon Long-Term Care Home. He is survived by his wife Marlene, 2 sons, 2 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife and all 22 of his siblings.
A funeral service for John Giesbrecht will be held Thursday, 11am at Bethel Mennonite Church with Burial at Chapel Lawn Cemetery.
Public viewing will be at Bethel Mennonite Church, Thursday, July 24th at 10am.
Donations may be made to Firefighters Burn Fund and Canadian Food Grains Bank.
Arrangements by Friends Funeral Service.
Family Tribute
John Giesbrecht
John Giesbrecht passed away peacefully at age 91 at Poseidon Care Center on July 13, 2025.
He was the youngest child born to Heinrich K. & Katherina (Rempel) Giesbrecht in the village of Blumenfeld, Manitoba on March 14, 1934.
Enjoying his early years at school and 2 years of correspondence, he then left to work as a farm hand in a neighboring village before heading to work on CP telegraph lines, driving a car carrier and working at a service station. While working on the Fire Chief’s car, the Chief suggested he should join the Fire Department. “Can you drive a truck?” he asked. John applied and started a 35-year career with the Winnipeg Fire Department, a month before his first wedding.
He lost his first wife Alvina Loewen in 1973 after 16 ½ years of marriage, and having two boys, Randy & Tim.
While being a deacon of his church, he looked after a widow and swept her off her feet. After a brief courtship, they were married on January 19, 1974, and became a family again.
John was very active and involved in many things; several positions in the church, Rotary Club, Band Practice playing the tuba and Honor Guard. Sometimes he forgot there were only 24 hours in a day. After he retired, he became the coordinator of MDS during the flood of ’97.
Besides running a business, he loved to spend time in his workshop, sharpening tools, woodworking, especially with his grandson, and had a collection of tools like Home Depot and found it very difficult when he had to get rid of them.
During our 51 years, we LIVED, LOVED AND LAUGHED. Many a good time, camping outings, traveling, and spending some winters in Arizona, enjoying all the activities in the Good Life Park.
John was predeceased by his parents and all 22 of his siblings. He leaves behind his wife Marlene, son Randy (Wendy), son Tim, and grandchildren Jesse (Brianne) and Lauren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
His family would like to thank all of the kind, caring and compassionate staff of the Home Care and Poseidon Center who treated him with grace and dignity until the end. You will be remembered for the good you shared, and a life well lived. WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Firefighter’s Burn Fund or Canadian Food Grains Bank.
A celebration service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 11:00 am at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street, Winnipeg. The service will be livestreamed.