Obituary of Eleanor Mary Goertzen

To watch the livestream of the service click on the link https://boxcast.tv/view/eleanor-goertzen-funeral-service-nou3cg0l37q4skjduy2s

GOERTZEN – Eleanor Mary (Elly) of Qualicum Beach, BC, formerly of Swift Current and Saskatoon, SK, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 9, 2024 at The Gardens at Qualicum Beach at the age of 90.

Eleanor was born on July 22, 1934, on the family farm south of Herbert, SK, to Abram and Mary Thiessen. She attended Wiebe School, where she met her future husband. In 1953, her childhood sweetheart Norman (Norm) Goertzen returned home from serving in the Korean War. They married the following year.

Eleanor learned to sew on her mother’s treadle sewing machine and went on to become a professional seamstress. She also worked as a telephone switchboard operator, ran a home photo framing business, sold fabric at the Bay and Eatons, and in her later years worked at the marina at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, where she and Norman spent many happy retirement years.

Eleanor enjoyed curling, playing cards, gardening, and creating Mennonite treats such as verenika, kringles, roll kuchen, and kielke. She was an avid crafter and crocheter throughout her life. In her final years, she crocheted beautiful afghans for her great-grandchildren and great-nieces. Her final project was a pair of beautiful baby blankets for the newest members of her family, twin great-grandsons.

In July 2024, family and friends gathered in Qualicum Beach to celebrate her 90th birthday. Eleanor was in great spirits that day and enjoyed seeing many of her children and grandchildren. She passed away less than 2 months afterwards, secure in the knowledge that she was loved and adored by her family and friends.

Eleanor is survived by her children Doug (Alice) Goertzen, Keith (Shelley) Goertzen, Glenda Goertzen, and Valerie (Mike) Romance; grandchildren Paul (Sarah) Goertzen, Sarah (Tyler) Goertzen, Janet (Scott) Goertzen, and Natasha Romance; siblings Tina Thiessen and Norman (Ileine) Thiessen; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

Eleanor is predeceased by her parents Abram and Mary Thiessen; brothers Henry Thiessen, Leonard Thiessen, and Pete Thiessen; sister Leona Mayer; brothers-in-law Ed Beech, Clarence Mayer, Wally Thiessen, and Joe Fisher; sisters-in-law Lydia Thiessen, Lillian Thiessen, and Anita Thiessen.

Eleanor will be remembered for her love of her family, her entrepreneurial spirit, her sense of style, her creativity, her eloquent way of storytelling (always injected with a bit of humour), and her faith in God.

Eleanor will be forever missed by her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service and reception will be held at Parkside Memorial Funeral Home in Swift Current, SK, Saturday October 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Annette Taylor officiating. Memorial donations can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.