Albert Verstraeten

Albert Verstraeten

March 13, 1928 – January 9, 2010

After a lengthy battle with Parkinson Disease, Dad peacefully passed away January 9, 2010 at the Tiger Hills Personal Care Home, at Treherne Manitoba with his family by his side.

Left to mourn his passing and cherish his memory is his beloved wife Alida (nee Simoens), his children, Lorraine (Larry Wytinck), Sharon (Ivan Bruneau), Lucille (Louis Godard), Gordon and Anita (Rob Gillis).  Grandchildren, Darcy and Kassandra Wytinck, Stacey, Cody and Brady Bruneau, Tyler, Dustin and Jolene Godard, Jenna and Reece Gillis.

Dad also leaves to mourn his passing are his sisters, Elodie Roels, Germaine (Eugene) Gagnon and Madeleine De Smet, his in laws Edward & Margaret Wytinck, John & Agnes Simoens, Vic & Diane Labossiere, Reynold & Ele Bourdeaud’hui, as well as numerous nieces & nephews.

Dad was predeceased by his grandson Orry Godard, parents Abraham & Prudence Verstraeten, father & mother in law Leon & Catherine Simoens, brother in laws Bert Roels and Maurice De Smet.

Dad was born on the family farm at Bruxelles.  He attended school at the Bruxelles convent and completed grade 8, then had to stay home to help work on the farm.  Dad & Mom were married October 26, 1954 in Bruxelles and took over his parent’s farm.  In the early years they raised chicken, pigs, grain farmed, milked cows and shipped cream.  In 1973 Dad & Mom went into the dairy business, they operated the farm as a team until Dad’s failing health prevented him from doing so any longer.  Gordon & Mom then continued with the dairy until 2002.

Being raised on the farm, and doing chores or working on the land, it was not unusual to see the whole family taking part in the work.  Farming was a family affair.  Dad’s favorite line when picking stones in the spring, was  “there are only a few to pick” but somehow it ended  up being a full day’s job. Dad was a hard worker and believed in getting your work done before going out.  Earlier years the family would go to Holland on Saturday nights, us kids would get treat money and go to the show or visit friends.  Dad & Mom would go for a drink at the Hollander Hotel and spend time with their neighbors & friends. It was a weekly event we all looked forward to.

When Dad was working on the yard you would never see Dad walking, he would always be running.  But when mobility became a struggle it was not unusual to see Dad lifting himself up into the tractor to bale or combine.  It was a sad day when it became unsafe for him to operate the tractor.  But when harvest came along Dad was always waiting beside the house for his ride in the grain truck. We had to help him onto the seat but he was happy and would stay in there for hours.  He was always interested in seeing how much Gordon was getting as a grain yield.

We would see the wheelchair parked beside the house and he had somehow managed to get on the quad and off to the field he went.  In later years he purchased a John Deere Gator and this would give him more independence.   Off he would go and would be seen checking cattle, crops and visiting friends & family.  This would sometimes bring him a little further from the yard than he should have been.  The neighbors were always good and kept a watchful eye out for him.

Dad was especially proud of his 1949 John Deere tractor that he used when he had started farming. To this day it still runs like a charm.  Dad was also fond of his little dog “Nicky”, as it was always close to his side.

Dad enjoyed playing bien, Belgian Bolling, going for drives to check crops and stopping for an ice cream cone.  He really looked forward to the visits from his children and grandchildren.  Dad was always interested in family history and you could ask him any about relatives and he always knew the answer.

In 2006 Dad moved into the Tiger Hills Personal Care Home in Treherne, so he could get the extra care he needed.  Even though Parkinson Disease had taken so much from him, he still fought until the very end.

To Dad With Love

Thank you, Dad, for all the times, you were there to care.

The special moments in our lives, when you were there to share.

You’ll never know how much it meant, to have you there, you see,

encouraged by your silent smile, I knew you cared for us.

And from your fine examples, you taught us right from wrong.

I learned from you that sharing love, will also make us strong.

Thank you, Dad, for all that you, have sacrificed for us.

And thank you, Lord, for making Dad, the best that he could be.

Funeral Services will be held in the St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church in Bruxelles, Manitoba on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Prayers at 1:30 followed by Funeral Mass at 2:00 pm. with Father John McKenzie officiating.   Interment in the Bruxelles Parish Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson Society of Manitoba, 204-825 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB  R3A 1M5 or to the St. Gerard Parish Renovation Fund, Bruxelles, MB  R0G 0G0.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326.  www.afh.ca