It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother, Justina D. Giesbrecht, on December 26, 2010, at the Grunthal Menno Home for the Aged, with many of her children at her side. Mom was born October 5th, 1923 to Jacob and Maria Dueck of the Randolph Manitoba area. She was predeceased by her husband, John B Giesbrecht and three children lost in infancy. She is survived by eight children - Bill and Dorie, Steinbach, MB, Jake, Giroux, MB, Mary and James, Steinbach, MB, Anne and Jake, Chaco, Paraguay, John and Annie, Rosengard, MB, Peter and Nancy, Calgary, AB, Eric and Viola, Steinbach, MB, Frieda, Steinbach, MB, as well as son-in-law Bruno Hiebert, Niverville, MB, one daughter-in-law Mika Giesbrecht, Steinbach, MB. Mom had 22 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. When Mom was 6 years old her family immigrated to Paraguay, where she grew up. At the age of 20 she was baptized upon confession of her faith in Paraguay by Pastor Martin C. Friesen. On September 20, 1945, at age 21 Mom married John B. Giesbrecht. They lived in Paraguay and raised their family there till 1966 when they packed up and moved to Niverville, Manitoba. Mom and Dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1995 with most of their children present. In 1996 she lost Dad after his long battle with cancer. She was a widow for 14 years. Four years ago Mom had a stroke and shortly after moved to Grunthal Menno Home because she was no longer able to take care of herself in her own home. Mom celebrated her 87th birthday with a BBQ this past October with many of her children, grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Mom was outspoken and strong willed. You could always count on her telling you like it was. She lived through many hardships and was a tower of strength to Dad during his baffle with cancer. When Dad was dying he said he had always worried about leaving Mom alone, but he realized that she was a lot stronger than he had given her credit for. It was this strong will that carried her through life and helped her overcome many obstacles. Mom was a generous person. She always had candies in her purse for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to give little presents to people who visited her. Mom took life as it came. She was content watching the world go by. She had an amazing memory. She could tell you all her nieces and nephews birthdays. She loved to read, do puzzles, sewing, quilting and gardening. Mom was an amazing cook. Everyone loved her potatoes and schmauntfat at family gatherings. Her soups had very interesting ingredients but always tasted fantastic. Mom loved being outdoors. Well into her 80’s she would still climb into a boat and try her hand at fishing. She and Dad had many good times camping with their family. She always had flowers in the yard and her garden. Her favorite colour was blue, but when it came to flowers she loved all colours. Mom had many talents. When her children were small she sewed all their clothes. Later on in life she made many quilts. She made a special blanket for each grandchild and for many of the great grandchildren. Mom also made a quilt for each couple. The hours she spent cutting and piecing and finally quilting it all together is a memorial of her love for her children. There was no quilt pattern that she was not able to sew. Mom had a lot of fabric and her quilts used to be like her flower beds, but when she started making them for her children she made sure all the squares had the same colours in them. Mom was considered amazing, generous, determined and hardworking by her family. It has been sad to see her being unable to do the things she loved after her stroke. These last years at Menno Home she would have a smile on her face when people would come to visit her. She learned how to become independent enough to wheel herself around the home and also feed herself. She struggled to communicate with her family. There have been many setbacks in her life, where many people would have sat and felt sorry for themselves, but not Mom. She took the bad with the good and tried to do the best with what she had. Mom will be remembered and missed by her family for many reasons. We are thankful for the things Mom has done for us. We will miss your beautiful smile! Especially those saved for your family. “While we are sorry to see you go, we are happy your earthly struggles are over, and you can be reunited with Dad and the three children lost in infancy.” We as family would also like to express our sincere thanks to the staff at the Grunthal Menno Home for the care they gave to Mom, and for your words of encouragement you gave to us. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Thursday, December 30 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. The funeral service will be held Friday, December 31 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chortitzer Mennonite Church, 479 Hanover, Steinbach with interment at the Rosengard Cemetery. If friends so desire donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse – Canada, 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, Alberta T3J 5H5 or to Menno Home Foundation, Box 280; Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0