Obituary of Eileen Loetkeman

Eileen Winnifred Loetkeman was born on February 13, 1937 to George and Minnie Giesbrecht at her Grandpa Jacob L Toews' farm near Linden, AB. She peacefully passed away at the Lloydminster hospital, with Dad by her side, on February 24, 2021. We had just celebrated her 84th birthday. Her death was the result of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Mom moved with her family to the Steinbach, MB area at the age of 3. She was the 4th of 9 children. She was 15 when her mother was diagnosed with MS, becoming her caregiver at a young age. She also took on the role of mothering her younger siblings. The Giesbrecht family moved to Abbotsford, BC in 1956 with the hope that a milder climate would benefit their mother’s health. After her mother and little sister passed away, she went back to school for nurse’s training, but later put her books away to marry Dad.

Dad and Mom married on Nov 10, 1962 in Abbotsford, BC. They made their home on a dairy farm in the Deep Creek valley near Enderby, BC. After busy, happy years raising their young family, they left BC in 1976 and moved to the prairies, settling in Neilburg, SK. Those were some challenging, but good years, farming and building up a redi-mix concrete business along with other business ventures. Mom was an integral part of the business- answering phones, bookkeeping, and bringing sandwiches and iced tea out to the concrete plant. She still managed to garden, with the cordless phone in 1 hand and her ear tuned to the 2-way radio. Her passions were flowers, ornamental trees and birds. She had a successful battle with cancer in 2000, giving her 21 more years. She was a dignified lady, a good conversationalist, well read and spoke proper English. She liked to stay current on world affairs.

Mom gave her heart to God at a young age and her faith was always precious. Her children and grandchildren were dear to her heart and she often prayed for their salvation. She especially loved listening to her grandchildren sing. Dad patiently cared for her as her health began to decline.

Missing Mom are her loving husband Leo; her 4 children, Tracy & Jayne of Neilburg SK, & their children, Jake & Jeralyne, Adrian & Melissa, Jacey & Nick Yost; Galen & Glenda of Hythe AB, & their children, Becky, Jared & Megan, Tyler & Shadow, Amy & Marshal Isaac, Casey; Cathy & Mel Dueck of Neilburg SK, & their children, Jordan, Jesse & Shayla, Joey & Kalie, Sarah & Kelly Nightengale; Evan & Bonita of Neilburg SK, & their children, Kaitlyn, Austin, Travis, Ashley, Hailey & 6 great grand children; her siblings, Alfred & Elsie Giesbrecht, Doreen Goossen, Clarence & Jean Giesbrecht, Rodney & Marlene Giesbrecht, Wayne Giesbrecht, Margi & Les Wilson, along with Dad’s family, June & Frank Augustin, Carol & Russell Wiebe, Ray & Margaret Loetkeman & Melinda Taylor.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, 2 step parents, 1 granddaughter, 2 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law &1 sister-in-law.

The funeral service for Eileen will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 11:00 AM. Due to the current restrictions, this service will be by invitation only.

Donations in memory of Eileen may be made to Village Green Park, Neilburg.

Eileen's funeral card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below.

https://indd.adobe.com/view/669560a5-76b0-4754-b0ab-c6d5c1d747d6