Tribute

Gerald loved the sun, chocolate cake with thick icing, his Schnauzer Gus and most of all, his family.

With Marlene at his side, Gerald took his last breath in the early morning hours of March 27, 2026.  Gerald was 70 years old.

Gerald was born in Chilliwack on January 29, 1956, to Walter and Elly Janzen and was the older brother to Glenn and Laura. Gerald became a Christian when he was 8 years old and was baptized upon the confession of his faith at 18 years of age and became a member of the Yarrow United Mennonite Church.

Gerald attended Yarrow Elementary School from Grade 1 to 7, and this is where he made some lifelong friends! Gerald went to Sardis Secondary School for his high school years.  Even though Ger and his friends had a lot of “unscheduled field trips” in Grade 12, he graduated in 1974. Gerald often stated that those years were filled with great times and wonderful memories for him.

Gerald’s greatest joy was his family.  Gerald married Marlene Claassen in 1979, and they were blessed with four children, Erin, Bradley, Lindsay and Tyler. Gerald loved family life and especially enjoyed the times the whole family would gather at his beloved cabin at Sheridan Lake.  Many happy memories were made at his “Little Red Cabin in the Cariboo” and he and Marlene loved to be there with their three children, their spouses and 8 beloved grandchildren.

In the last few years, as Gerald’s health began to deteriorate, his faith grew.  He knew Jesus was carrying him through some very difficult health challenges as well as tough personal issues and he relied on Jesus for his daily strength. He had a very positive attitude despite the pain and discomfort he lived with, and he made the best of everything he had to endure. Until the very end of his life, he was thankful for what God had blessed him with, and he was filled with gratitude and joy for every memory he shared with his loving family and wonderful friends.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents and his daughter Lindsay.  Left to grieve is his wife of 46 years Marlene; daughter Erin and her husband Jerome and their children Benjamin, Jack and Luke; son Bradley and his wife Amy and their children Eden, Duke and Everly; son Tyler and his wife Allison and their children Trip and Mack. Also left to cherish Gerald’s memory is his sister Laura and Dan Sawatzky and his in-law family Norm and Irene Claassen, Barb and Ron Martens, and Don Claassen as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed.