David "Dave" T. Doerksen

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he leaves behind his three daughters; Shirley (Wayne) Preusentanz, Sharon Guzzardi, Laura (Darren) Peshke; his grandchildren Danielle Preusentanz, Melissa (Jeremy) Hitching, Michael Guzzardi, Trent Peshke as well as great grandchildren, Cassidy, Tyana, Edison, Naomi, Logan, Owen, Noah, and Addison; one sister Mary Heppner, and brother-in-law Bill Siemens. He was predeceased by his wife Helen (Friesen), parents, brothers and sisters.

Dad was born in Plum Coulee Manitoba on October 5, 1933. He was the second youngest of 8 children born to Jacob G and Maria Doerksen, 4 boys and 2 girls (2 died in infancy). Dad met Mom as their families were neighbors and farmed next to each other. Dad was baptized in the Summer of 1953 at the Altona Sommerfelder Mennonite Church by Bishop Peter Friesen.

In June of 1948 when Dad was fourteen, his parents along with brother Jacob and sister Mary migrated to Paraguay. They were looking for a better way of life with exemption from military service and their own Christian school curriculum. Things in Paraguay were not as they had anticipated, and they returned to Canada in June of 1949. This is where dad developed his aversion to rice, although his love of bananas continued.

Mom and Dad were married on August 22, 1954, in the Sommerfelder Mennonite church in Altona, and celebrated 70 years together this past summer. Shortly after marrying they joined his brother Peter who had already moved to Winnipeg. Their first home was purchased on Bannatyne across from the Dental College and their home had an upstairs suite that they rented out.

Dad and Mom had three daughters, Shirley in 1960, Sharon in 1963 and Laura in 1969.

Dad worked in the oil furnace business and would always come home smelling like heating oil. Dad worked for Samuelson's Heating Limited, and he also worked for Shell Oil and started a business together with Johnny Dyck. At the time dad was working at Samuelson's, the employees’ wives were all having babies. All of them were boys! Dad's family was the first to have a girl and he was proud to receive an engraved bowl to recognize the occasion.

Eventually they sold the house on Bannatyne and moved to Minto Street and eventually Charleswood Road. They continued purchasing, fixing and renting many homes from then on. In our memories of Dad, he could fix, repair and build just about anything. His array of tools and parts was astounding.

In 1973 dad joined his brother Peter in partnership at Doerksen & Gronau. Dad was the "fix it" guy at "The Shop" as we all called it. I can only imagine how many steps he took in a day. He had a couple of nicknames there; Speedy Gonzales and Road Runner as we recall. He would go to work early in the morning and often return in the evening after supper. All three of us girls worked at "The Shop" at one time or another. This is where our sister Laura eventually met her husband, Darren! Dad kept very busy with The Shop as well as helping to maintain their church building, fixing and maintaining their own home as well as the rentals. He also helped wherever he could with his daughters’ homes and projects.

Dad’s retirement job at the age of 62 was at Woodland's Supply. He left there at age 66. I’m not sure when exactly he began his lawnmower fixing business, but it must have been around then. He also took courses on small engine repair. "The Lawn Mower Guy" became one of his nick names, and he continued repairing until he developed Vascular Dementia and could not continue anymore around 87 years of age.

Throughout their married life, Mom and Dad were members at the Altona Sommerfelder Mennonite Church, Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Home Street Mennonite Church and Good News Mennonite Church. Dad's faith was deep, and he practiced his faith with conviction. I recall many years ago he was determined to read through the entire Bible, and he did! At Christmas and Easter, the gospel stories were read with the family. He loved to sing hymns together and really cherished the gatherings with his family and the music that was shared. He loved to sing the Doxology for table grace.

Dad loved people, and it was not unusual for Dad to strike up a conversation with a stranger almost anywhere. Restaurants, music festivals, funerals, we would often hear a story of someone he had met that he had known from a long time ago. Our big Doerksen gatherings were always a highlight for him, and we loved to see how much he enjoyed those times together with family.

Together Dad and Mom did quite a lot of travelling. They bowled in a league and enjoyed attending gospel festivals in the summer. Garage sales were a must on Saturdays, and this went on for years. They also enjoyed playing games and lunch out after church with many of their friends.

Dad loved his brush cuts, his scotch mints, licorice, cookies and black pepper. He would always carry a pocket screwdriver and a little notebook and pencil in his shirt pocket. If the shirt didn't have a pocket, it wasn't worn.

Dad spent his final months in Oakview Place, and we are grateful for their care and compassion. He is Home now with his Lord and Savior. I'm sure Mom was glad to see him again.

Funeral Service was held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Green Acres Funeral Home. Dad was laid to rest forever beside his beloved wife and our mother at the Sage Creek Cemetery.

We wish to thank the staff at Oakview Place for their caring and compassion for Dad over the last few months.