Gerhard Heinrich Doerksen

1891 – 1978

Gerhard Heinrich Doerksen was born to Henrich Gerhard & Katharina (Kroeker) Doerksen on August 2, 1891 at Neu Halbstadt, Sagradowka, South Russia. He graduated from the Zentral Schule (Junior High School) in Orloff, Sagradowka. He was called up for military service in 1915 and he served in the Forestry Service until 1917.

He married Elisabeth A. Peters in 1916.

He received Jesus as his personal Saviour, was baptized and received into the membership at the Alliance Church in Orloff, Sagradowka.

The Doerksen family immigrated to Canada in 1926, living first in Borden, Saskatchewan and moving to Yarrow, B.C. two years later in 1928. They moved once more to Abbotsford in 1934, joining the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church. When the church divided to create another fellowship in 1935, the Doerksens joined the new North Abbotsford Church serving in the congregation in many ways.

Fourteen children were born to the Doerksens, but three died in infancy. Their marriage lasted 57 years before Katharina Doerksen passed away in 1973.

Gerhard married Martha Kurth in 1974.

Failing health resulted in an operation in 1976 from which Gerhard recovered. He became ill again in April 1978 and was called to home to be with the Lord on June 8th 1978.

Gerhard Doerksen left to mourn his wife, Martha Doerksen; five sons: Henry & Anna, Abe & Mary; George & Katherine, Peter & Vera, and Jake & Elsie all of B.C.; four daughters Gertha (Albert) Moore; Viola (Isaac) Penner; Evelyn (Ron) Eerdman and Nancy (Cam) Nairn; and one daughter-in-law Susie Doerksen; 32 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; one sister (Mrs.) Elizabeth Janzen of Yarrow, B.C. and a host of relatives and friends.