Obituary of Elma (Reimer) Barkman Giesbrecht

Elma (Reimer) Barkman Giesbrecht was born Oct. 2nd, 1928, and passed away peacefully at the age of 94 ½, on April 30, 2023, at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, Manitoba. Elma was born in Greenland, Ste. Anne, Manitoba. Her parents were Jac T and Agnes Reimer. She was the second oldest of ten children. Elma’s grandpa Reimer, came over from Russia at age nine to Texas, then Kansas and then on to the Steinbach area.

She gave her heart to the Lord Jesus at age 18. Elma was baptised on February 23, 1947, and grew in her faith throughout her life.

Elma married Vincent Barkman on June 11, 1950, at 21 years of age in Steinbach, Manitoba. They farmed in Clearsprings, near Steinbach, living on Vince’s parents' yard in a cottage from 1950-1954. Their first daughter, Karen was born in Steinbach.

Elma and Vince then went to the Ewart, Manitoba, area, approximately 300 miles away, near Sinclair, farming once again. Sylvia and Ron were born near here in Reston, Manitoba.  

In 1958, due to Vince’s allergies to farm dust and at the invitation of his brother, Bernard; they moved to the Abbotsford, B.C. area. While there, their youngest daughter, Barb was born. Vince worked at Carpentry in the area. Vince then went to finish his schooling from grade 8 to grade 13 at the Mennonite Education Institute. He then achieved his teacher’s certificate and they took a teaching job at Celista, B.C. 

After two years, they would move to Salmon Arm, B.C. for eight years. Elma enjoyed sewing for the family as well as for a local dress shop. She would enjoy being productive and worked at a bakery and also did homecare work. They kept moving down the Okanagan Valley, to Enderby and then to Penticton. They spent 40 years in B.C.

Vince and Elma enjoyed travelling in their retirement. Grandma loved to cook and was often found reading recipe books. She enjoyed reading and cooking. She was known to have a servant's heart.

Grandma was 69 when Grandpa Vince died on March 23, 1998. Elma married an old friend, Ernie Giesbrecht in 1999 and they moved to Steinbach, Manitoba. Ernie died Feb. 12, 2012.

Mom suffered from dementia for 15 years, but remained social and for the most part, remembered us all. Happy that you are in your Heavenly home, dearest Grandma.

A memorial service for Elma will take place on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with burial prior to the service at 12:30 p.m. at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. There will be no public viewing service at Birchwood Funeral Chapel.  However if anyone would like to say a final "good bye", the casket will be open for a final viewing at the cemetery.