Wilbert Giesbrecht

Wilbert Giesbrecht was born the third of four children on April 7, 1945, in Turlock California, to Toby and Ella Giesbrecht. When Wilbert was in second grade he moved with his family to Bayliss, California. In 1955 when Dad was ten they moved into the new home place on Road 48. Dad began attending Glenn school at that time and graduated from eighth grade there. When Wilbert was eleven years old he gave his heart to God. Although Dad was a strong man, he always softened when he prayed to or talked about God. Dad milked cows with his family and worked for local farmers to fill his days. He displayed mechanical ability early on, overhauling his first engine when he was fourteen. When he was a teenager he built an almond huller for his dad. As a young man he started custom farming with his cousin Abe, making memories that lasted a lifetime. When Dad was twenty-one he married our mother Kathy. They walked together for fifty-three years, through good and tough times. Together they had five children. Karlene, Brian, Geoffrey, Douglas, and Heidi. Dad provided work for his boys, teaching them mechanics and metal fabrication. Together they designed and built a walnut huller in 1997. When Dad was fifty-six he suffered a debilitating stroke, forcing his retirement from the business he shared with his sons. Although his mechanical ability was altered, Dad continued to work on old tractors and his forklift. He always had multiple projects going and more in mind. While the last years of Dad's life were difficult for him and his family, there were many times when his pride in and his love for his family shone through. Dad always had a sense of humor. Almost everyone who knew him could share a one-liner or a prank story from Dad. Dad and Mom's socializing with friends was punctuated with laughter. He and Mom had fun together. They enjoyed traveling together alone and as a family. Dad supported Mom in her work, often driving her where she needed to go. Those left to remember Wilbert are his wife Kathy, his children, Karlene and Jon Esau, Chico, California; Brian and Paula Giesbrecht, Glenn, California; Geoffrey and Michelle Giesbrecht, Willows, California; Douglas and Monica Giesbrecht, Glenn, California; and Heidi and Michael Isaac, Carrot River, Saskatchewan; twenty-five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He leaves one sister, Elvina and Don Bates, Barron, Wisconsin; one sister-in-law, Diane Perko, Salem, Oregon; and one brother, Edwin and Marsha Giesbrecht, Medford, Oregon; brothers and sisters-in-law Jim and Sandy Smith, Butte City, California; Merrilie and Richard Loewen, Chico, California; Betty and Darrel Kornelsen, Whitecourt, Alberta; Marsha and Edwin Giesbrecht, Medford, Oregon; Donna and Craig Larson, Chico, California; Tim and Roz Smith, Fort St. John, British Columbia, and many friends. Wilbert was predeceased by his brother, Allen Giesbrecht. The family would like to thank the staff at Riverside Country Home for the love and faithful care of our father. The parade for his 75th birthday was a highlight for all of us.