Tribute

Gerhard Falk was born on April 4, 1936 in Fernheim, Chaco, Paraguay. His parents were Wilhelm Falk and Maria (Penner) Falk. The first years in the Chaco were very difficult as drought and locusts destroyed whole crops. In 1937, with Gerhard being only one year old, his parents, together with a group of other struggling farmers, agreed to travel with oxen and horses to the east side of Paraguay, to found the colony, Friesland. Here, Gerhard grew up and went to school. After 10 years, he had to quit school and help his parents on the farm. One year later, Gerhard applied for work in the Co-op, where he remained employed in various divisions for many years. Gerhard came to know the Lord at the age of 24. The verse that was significant for him at that time was Isaiah 53:5 “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” He was baptized that same year in the M.B. Church in Gartental, Uruguay. It was there that he met Maria Thiessen. Gerhard and Maria married half a year later and moved back to Friesland, Paraguay where he resumed his job at the Co-op, and the two spent the next 5 years there. Maria found it hard to live in that hot climate and in 1967, after two years of immigration processes, and a US sponsorship from Maria’s sister, Catarina, they moved to Mountain Lake, Minnesota. The US proved to be very different than Paraguay and needless to say, Gerhard and Maria experienced quite a culture shock. Instead of using horses, everything was automated and done with machines but soon, Gerhard began working on a dairy farm. It was during this time that their one and only son, Marvin was born. After only 18 months in the US, Gerhard and Maria moved to Canada. Here, they felt more at home and spent the first 11 years in Vancouver, before settling in Abbotsford. They became members of King Road church where Gerhard served in many aspects of the church. He was moderator for many years, sang in the choir and helped with renovations. He worked for various companies installing countertops, until he ventured out on his own and formed Falk Countertops. Gerhard and Maria enjoyed traveling and therefore many annual trips to Hawaii were made. They were very social and regularly had people over for dinner or cards on weekends. When Marvin and Natasha got married, Monday night family dinners became a weekly event and as soon as the grandkids were old enough,  playing cards was added to the evening. Gerhard enjoyed playing pool with a group of men from church and volleyball in the church gym. Both he and Maria enjoyed the outdoors, bought a camper and boat and enjoyed many years of camping and fishing with friends. Gerhard retired early at age 62. He had one grandchild at that time, Taylor, and because he did not want her to go to daycare, quit working in order to take care of her. It was amazing to see him with his grandkids. He was so patient and attentive and thoroughly enjoyed his time with them. In 2009, Maria got diagnosed with ALS. Gerhard took care of her for 2 years during which they had to move into an apartment when she couldn’t manage the stairs anymore. In 2011 he made the difficult decision to move her into long-term care, where he went to feed her every day. Maria died December 1, 2011. Gerhard was lost without her. About a year later, the family was happy to hear that Gerhard had found someone to love again. He met Erna Reimer at a King Road church picnic where he offered her his chair. That’s all it took. She was in love. Gerhard always was a mover and a shaker! It was a whirlwind courtship and they were married on June 22,2013. Before he met Erna, Gerhard had become quite a homebody. But Erna brought so much joy and energy into his life, that they even bought a motorhome and began camping again. She even dragged him to Mexico a few times. They had 8 ½ years together and in November of 2021, Erna was hospitalized with heart issues and sadly, passed away on December 10, 2021. Gerhard lasted 4 months without her. They were lonely months and he was ready to go to his eternal home. He slowly got weaker and Marvin, Natasha and kids struggled to know how to help him. They spent as much time as possible with him and now cherish those moments. It came to a point where it became evident that something was very wrong. Gerhard had gotten more and more confused and quite unsteady. A doctor’s appointment was made, (against his wishes), and he was immediately taken to the emergency. He lived 3 days in the hospital and then peacefully passed into the presence of his Lord. He will be greatly missed. Gerhard is predeceased by his wife Maria, by his parents Wilhelm and Maria and his two brothers, Albert and Peter. He is mourned by his sisters Alwine Siemens and Tina Braun and their families, his son Marv, with wife Natasha and grandchildren, Taylor and Dane Chapman, Joshua and Nicole and many friends.