Gustav Barke

MAN OF FAITH, LOVING HUSBAND & CARING FATHER

Gustav Barke of Calgary moved on to dwell in the house of the Lord forever on Monday, November 20, 2017 at the age of 85 years. Gus is survived by his soulmate and loving wife of 62 years, Emmy Barke (nee Schiwy); three children, Priscilla Rollings (nee Barke), Emmanuel (Manny) Barke and Wilfred Barke; eight grandchildren, Trent Rollings, Greg Rollings, Shae-lynne Rollings, Kaylee-Anne Rollings, Caleb Barke, Nathaniel Barke, Michaela Barke and Jonathan Barke; as well as four siblings, Otto Barke (Penticton), Sigismund (Sig) Barke (Edmonton), Lydia Muth (nee Barke, Edmonton) and Ingrid Giebelhaus (nee Barke, Calgary). Gus is predeceased by his parents Rudolf and Amanda (nee Krause); his youngest child, Vern Barke (Calgary); as well as his four siblings, Bertha Barke, Frieda Barke, Frederick Barke and Erhardt Barke.

Gus was born on June 8, 1932, in a village near Grondy, Poland. He grew up farming with his family in Poland until 1945; after which, they were forced to flee as refugees of war and resettled in Armstorf Kreise Stade, Germany. In April 1952, the family decided to immigrate to Canada and restarted their life in Lethbridge, AB, where he met his wife, Emmy Schiwy. On August 20, 1955, they were married and moved to Calgary. He worked for 26 years at Maple Leaf Mills in Calgary until due to health reasons he was forced to change careers. Gus and Emmy started and operated their own shoe repair business together until they retired.

Gus dedicated his life to serving his wife, family and church community. Gus worked two jobs most of his careers to ensure that we as a family were well taken care of. He was an active and dedicated member of Renfrew (Temple) Baptist Church for most his life. He leaves behind a Legacy of Faith. Gus showed us that in the middle of life’s challenges, disappointments, distractions or successes if you keep looking up to the cross you will never lose your way.

A Funeral Service will be held at FOSTER’S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to service.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.