John Heidebrecht

John Heidebrecht was born on March 4, 1926 in Swalwell, Alberta, the oldest son of ten children. His parents, Peter and Elizabeth, recent Mennonite immigrants to Canada, settled close to Linden, Alberta. John trusted in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour and his faith remained strong his entire life. He excelled in school and enjoyed playing baseball. He enrolled in Coaldale Bible School in 1946 and his parents followed in 1947 when his father began working as the janitor of the Coaldale MB Church. John worked as a beekeeper for several years including a stint in California. He completed a 1-year teacher program in Calgary in 1949 and taught at a Hutterite colony and in Nobleford while completing a B.Ed. degree from the University of Alberta, which he finished in 1956. John worked at the Alberta Mennonite High School from 1956-1958, where he taught his brothers Harry and Herb as well as his future in-laws. John and Hilda were married on June 25, 1960 in Coaldale, Alberta, and went on a two-month honeymoon, crossing the Atlantic by ship and travelling through nine European countries. They returned to Bruce, Alberta, where John was teaching math and science. Douglas was born in May 1961 in Edmonton. In 1962, they moved to Virgil, Ontario so John could teach at Eden Christian College. Janet was born in August 1962 in Niagara Falls, followed by Joyce in January 1964. In the summer of 1964, John and Hilda moved to Wainwright, Alberta and then again in 1967 to Medicine Hat where John taught high school. That summer John and Hilda bought their first tent trailer and travelled to Montreal with their young family to visit EXPO 67. This was the first of many summer vacations and camping trips, which often took them to B.C. to visit family, as well as on longer trips to California, South Dakota, and the east coast of Canada. Attending family camp at Camp Evergreen was a highlight for many years. John travelled to the Middle East in 1974, a trip he treasured his whole life. He served as the treasurer at Crestwood MB Church for 12 years as well as teaching Sunday School and Boys Brigade. John retired from teaching in 1983 at the age of 57 and they decided to move to Abbotsford, B.C. for their retirement years where they joined Bakerview MB Church. John and Hilda worked for many years providing janitorial services for several doctors and John provided income tax services for Block Brothers. In 1994, John and Hilda made the first of several visits to Europe, with a final trip to Italy and Greece. John loved volunteering binding books at the Garden Park Tower and thoroughly enjoyed his friendships with fellow workers. John will be remembered as a grandfather who loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As they advanced in years, Hilda increasingly assumed the role of caregiver for John. John went into the hospital in January 2016 and then into full care at the Residence in Mission. Hilda passed away not long after on June 25, 2016, their 56th wedding anniversary. Although John experienced increasing dementia, he expressed a witty sense of humor and uncomplaining spirit, which witnessed to his assurance of God’s presence and care. John passed away peacefully on July 10, 2018. John will be sadly missed by his children, Douglas (Sherry) Heidebrecht, Janet (Alvin) Hubert, and Joyce (Peter) Wiebe; grandchildren, Nolan (Naomi), Luke (Myriam), Nathan (Jamie), Amanda (Diego), Megan (Steve), Kevin, Jared, and Michelle; and 11 great-grandchildren. John will also be sadly missed by his sisters and brothers, Hilda Heidebrecht, Rudy Heidebrecht, Harry (Margaret) Heidebrecht, Herb (Linda) Heidebrecht, Betty (Wayne) Hall, (George) Litke. John was predeceased by his wife Hilda (Quapp), his parents, Peter and Elizabeth Heidebrecht as well as his siblings, Erica (Leo) Doucette, Lillian Litke, Anne Heidebrecht, (Mary) Heidebrecht, and Victor Heidebrecht.