Peacefully, Monday, June 28, 2010 at Steinbach Bethesda Hospital, at the age of 91 years our father went to be with the Lord. He will be greatly missed by us as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Dad was born in Kuban, Russia on September 20, 1918 to Gerhard and Anna Esau. Dad immigrated to Canada with his family in 1926. The family settled in Blumenort, West Reserve. In the spring of 1927 they moved to a farm in the Rosengard area, west of Steinbach. This is also where he received his school education. Dad was baptized upon the confession of his faith on June 8, 1941 at the Elim Mennonite Church in Grunthal where he attended all his life. On June 24, 1945, Dad married our mother (Tina Klassen), with whom he shared 65 years. He is survived by his wife Tina and four children Katie (Jake) Broesky, Annette (Jim) Martens, Jerry (Melanie) Esau, Marilyn (Richard) Wiebe; 11 grandchildren - Wayne (Carol) Broesky, Scott (Jennifer Fournier) Broesky, Matthew Martens, Julie Martens, Kim (Anton) Alleyne, Gerard Esau, Luke Esau, Justin Esau, Joshua Wiebe, Jeremy Wiebe, Alyssa Wiebe; nine great grandchildren - Cynthia, Dustin and Julianne Broesky, Brittney, Riley, Carson and Morgan Broesky, Ajay and Maddox Alleyne. Dad loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and as long as he was able would come visit and see what we were up to. He always would ask about his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He would ask how they were doing, what they were doing and loved it when we had family gatherings. Mom and Dad lived on the farm till Dad was 80 years old. He enjoyed farming (dairy and later beef) and continued as long as he could. It was when Mom was having some health issues that they moved to Steinbach. He always missed the farm and talked many times about moving back. It was after they moved to Steinbach that he himself started having health concerns. He was hospitalized numerous times in the last eleven years with his cancer being the most serious. Over the last few years his lungs began to fail him, requiring him to have oxygen at all times. This made it hard for him to walk. He struggled with his breathing, knowing this would probably take his life at some point. In the last two weeks he was hospitalized with pneumonia, causing his breathing to be even a more serious issue. He struggled with this till his last breath. Dad was predeceased by his parents, one brother in infancy, two brothers Diedrich and Cornelius, three brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and one great-grandson Mason. We would like to thank all those who have delivered care along Dad’s journey through life, Dr. Mark Duerksen, nurses at Bethesda Hospital, and all his home care workers, and many friends who came to visit. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society – Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street; Wpg., MB R3C 2B7, The Lung Association, MB, 629 McDermot Avenue; Wpg., MB R3A 1P6 or the Bethesda Foundation (for Bethesda Hospital), 316 Henry St., Steinbach, MB R5G 0P9. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr, Steinbach on Friday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 3 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, with interment at Heritage Cemetery.