It is with sadness, much love, profound admiration and gratitude, we mourn the passing of our cherished husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, in-law, uncle, cousin and friend Jac. Jac passed away at the St. Pierre hospital on Monday, August 23, 2021, at the age of 85. Even through failing health, his faith, courage and sense of humour stayed strong.
Born on a farm outside of Ile des Chenes to loving parents Heinrich and Katharina (Friesen) Doerksen, Jac was a sibling to two older brothers and two younger sisters. Jac loved farming and while working as a farm hand, he met and married Anne Kehler. They bought their first farm in 1961 and worked hard to build it up as a mixed farm. In 1966, Jac and Anne expanded their farm to include the present farm at Tourond where they continued with mixed farming adding sugar beets to the crop rotation. Since the closure of the sugar industry in 1997, they have grown wheat, canola, soybeans and corn.
In 1983, Jac’s church called him to take on the role of pastor and he grew passionate about his work in the ministry while he continued to farm. His full-time involvement with the church kept him busy until age 65 and he continued to serve well into his 70’s. Remarkably, at 80 years old, he was still conducting Bible studies and leading singing in long term care centres.
Later in life when Jac allowed himself time off from the farm, he and Anne travelled to international destinations to volunteer with missions organizations in Africa and Bolivia, visit cousins and friends in Paraguay, tour Israel, and vacation in Europe, Hawaii and Jamaica with family.
As much as Jac loved farming and being a pastor, he loved being a dad to his four daughters and two sons and even more being a grandpa to 10 grandkids and great-grandpa to 13 great-grandkids. He enjoyed nothing more than playing games with his family, whether it was a round of mini-golf, sitting around the table with board games or the ubiquitous crokinole. His family enjoyed many camping trips with him across Canada and into the U.S. and we were so blessed to camp with him in July, 2021.
Jac is infinitely missed by his wife of 62 years, Anne; children Brenda and son-in-law John Klassen, Doris and son-in-law Henry Plett, Robert and daughter-in-law Wanda, Janet and partner Dale Curley, Frederick, Florence and son-in-law Joe Brick; grandchildren Jaylene and husband Johnathan, Matthew and wife Mathilde, Ryan and wife Pam, Kendall and partner Michelle, Maikel, Carly, Jaysa, Aaron, Connor and Tiffany; great-grandchildren Emily, Stetson, Samuel, Nora, Remington, Benjamin, Alyvia, Lauralee, Asher, Elijah, Isabelle, Katie Lee and Lucy. He is forever remembered by his sisters Katherina and Elizabeth, in-laws, many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Heinrich and Katharina Doerksen, granddaughter Amy, brothers John and Henry, and sister-in-law Sara.
Jac’s unwavering faith sustained him as he put into practice the words of Psalm 37:5 “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you.” We were blessed to know Jac.
A come and go viewing will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2021, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Niverville CMC Church, Niverville, MB., with a public viewing prior to the service.