Abe Giesbrecht, Jr., our dear husband, father, and Papa was born to Abe and Edna Voth Giesbrecht on February 10, 1950, at Turlock, California.  He peacefully passed from earthly life surrounded by his family and friends on October 29, 2021.  He left us early, as we perceive it, due to pancreatic cancer.  He was the anchor of our family.

He enjoyed growing up on the farm at Glenn, California, with a large family of brothers and sisters.  He was taught to work, and he loved to work.  He was born again at a young age and was baptized on May 6, 1962, by Minister Dick Loewen.  He was a faithful member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.

He was married to Rose Wenger on March 7, 1971, by Minister Harry Wenger.  They settled on the farm where their three children were born.  He was a gentle and dedicated father to his children and later to their spouses.  He became a loving, caring Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Abe was a willing volunteer in many ways.  One of these ways took him to Guatemala with a truckload of lumber for the rebuilding of houses after an earthquake there.  Because of interest in places far and near, their life included travel to Australia, to Belize, to Ghana, and to Alaska.  Their desire to give service also took them to Kelowna, British Columbia, as house parents for a voluntary service unit there.  They enjoyed numerous trips to the coast of Northern California.  They made many friendships during these times.

Abe was a kind, generous man and a peacemaker.  He had a unique sense of humor that went with him through life.  He enjoyed and trusted people, and they also trusted him.  He will be missed in the community.  He loved singing, and his deep bass voice is already missed in the congregation.  Many will remember his deep interest in Riverside Country Home, where he spent much time volunteering in recent years.

Those left with precious memories are his loving wife, Rose, and his children, Brandon and Kristine Giesbrecht, Derek and Shanna Giesbrecht, and Mishana and Ronald Eck, all of Glenn County, California; twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  He leaves his five sisters, Vada Dyck, Bernice and Eldon Wenger, Betty and Dennis Spence, Jane and Shawn Giesel, Sharon and Roger Giesbrecht; and two brothers, Howard and Regena Giesbrecht, and Bill and Sharon Giesbrecht.

He also leaves brothers and sisters-in-law Dale and Luerla Wenger, Sharon and Leonard Giesbrecht, Eileen and Dennis Boeckner,  Nancy and Radell Koehn and Randal and Roberta Toews.

Those gone before are granddaughter, Annalee Giesbrecht, sister Karen Toews, sister-in-law Bonita Giesbrecht, brother-in-law Vernon Dyck, and his parents and parents-in-law.