Ben Goertzen, aged 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18th, 2025 at Betel Home Foundation in Gimli.
Dad was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. He is survived by three sons: Henry, Laurie, and Wesley; two daughters: Evie and Lynn; 15 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; one brother, George; and one sister, Frieda; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret; one son, Andy; several great-grandchildren; and by two brothers: Jake and Frank; one half-sister, Lizzie, and three sisters: Tina, Helen and Anne.
He was born to Jacob and Anna Goertzen of Osler, Saskatchewan, on November 29, 1930. He married Margaret Friesen on August 19, 1951. As a pioneer farmer, he became adept at making and fixing many of his own buildings, tools and equipment. In his lifetime, he must have driven a couple of million kilometres without an accident. He loved making music and meeting people. And he often remembered people’s names and where he’d met them.
Dad’s funeral will take place with a private burial at Stonewall Cemetery followed by a church service at New Life Church in Stonewall on July 26th, 2025, at 2 p.m. Several of his grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family is grateful to the staff at Gimli’s Betel Home Foundation for caring for our father during his last months. They balanced professional care with personal connection to make the facility a delight for him. The family is also thankful to the staff at Stonewall’s Stonewood Place where Dad spent several years in semi-independent living. Besides these institutions, there are many individuals who gave of their time and energy to demonstrate care for our father. We, his children, may have been told your name and may even have met you, but we do not know all Dad’s friends. You know who you are, and we say a sincere thanks; you made our father’s life more meaningful, and your self-sacrifice has a positive impact on this world.