Johann Wilhem Giesbrecht

John Wilhelm Giesbrecht was born 12 December 1889 to Wilhelm and Katherina (Janzen) Giesbrecht in Schoenfeld, Russia.

With the onset of the Russian Revolution in 1917, freedom for Mennonite settlers in the country was at once in peril. In this context of uncertainty on 7 April 1919 Johann married Helena Janzen, the daughter of Jacob and Anna (Ens) Janzen, in Nicolaifeld.

Over the next 6 years, three children were born to the Giesbrecht, Anna on May 10, 1921, John on June 22 1925 and Peter on November 11, 27. By 1929 existence for Mennonites had become perilous. The family considers it no less that a miracle that our father was able to secure exit visas in Moscow, permitting the family to board the last train permitted by the Communists, taking Mennonites emigres out of the Soviet Union.

After brief stops in Germany and England, the Giesbrechts crossed the Atlantic on the SS Aurania, arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax on April 6, 1930. Three more children were born in their new country. Henry on December 2, 1930, Bill on September 26, 1932 and David on August 2, 1939.

Johann had been a farmer in Russia, and continued in his chosen livelihood in southern Manitoba. However, for him, farming was a means of providing for the family. His love was the church. He was ordained to the ministry on November 26, 1942 in the Newton Siding MB Church.

In the spring of 1948, the Giesbrechts moved to BC, settling in Yarrow, on a small dairy farm. Johann soon became involved in the life of this church, including occasional Sunday preaching assignments, serving on the church council and participating actively in a home Bible Study Group.

On Sunday 31 December 1961 he was stricken with a severe stroke towards the end of the Sunday morning service. He died later that day in the Chilliwack General Hospital. The memorial service in the Yarrow MB Church took place on 6 January 1962, with Rev. Henry Bartsch officiating. He was buried in the Yarrow cemetery.

He left to mourn his wife Helen, daughter Anne, sons John (Helen), Peter (Kay), Henry (Joanne), Bill (Marie) and David (Betty), 4 grandchildren together with many relatives and friends.

David Giesbrecht
December 2020