Remembering our past – Theresa & Ernie Gibeau

Times Contributor

 

In 1880, the Desjardin family left Quebec for Chippewa Falls in Wisconsin, to work in the lumber mills and build the river boats that moved up and down the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. They lived there for 11 years, before moving on to Joliette, North Dakota. Theresa’s father Leon was born there in 1893, and the family stayed for a further eight years, before moving to Crowfoot Creek, Gleichen. Theresa’s grandfather and father both raised Percheron horses, which continued until the age of mechanized farming.

The Gibeau family moved from Quebec to Cluny in 1910. Ernie Gibeau was born in Cluny in 1925, and Theresa was born in Gleichen in 1930.

Theresa and Ernie met in Cluny, and were married in 1952. This marriage produced four sons, and they adopted four daughters, and now have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Many readers will remember their son Mark, and daughter-in-law Laurie, who spent many years creating wonderful items of glass. Mark is now known for his Heritage Grains, whilst Laurie continues creating glass blowing products. From an early age all members of this family have enjoyed the outdoors- hiking, camping and hunting. Another son Michael was a Park Warden in Banff National Park, for 35 years.

Ernie went to Jeanne d’Arc School and Cluny Bow Valley High School, while Theresa went to Yule School and St. Mary’s in Calgary. They lived at their farm six miles north of Cluny until 1973. Ernie introduced Black Argentina Rape Seed into Wheatland County in 1948. Who would have known in those days, that this crop would become a staple of farming, today! After 21 years of farming, Ernie turned to his other love – carpentry and construction. He was known throughout Wheatland County, Calgary and the Windermere Valley for the quality of his work, in the remodeling and building of custom homes. Although carpentry and lathe work became a lifelong hobby, one can see by looking at items of this work, that this was his pride and joy. Unfortunately, this came to an end in 1998, when illness forced him to stop.

Theresa thinks of herself as a stay-at-home mother, for the first 25 years of their marriage, and helping on the farm as needed. After selling the farm, they moved to Calgary for four years, before moving to Windermere. She upgraded her musical education, so that she could give private music lessons on piano, organ and accordion, in her home.

In 1984, they moved back to Strathmore, to be closer to their family, and Theresa continued teaching music until 2002, when Ernie’s illness required more of her time.

Ernie was a member of the Reserve Army during WW2, on the board for rural telephone and power lines in  the late 1940’s/early 1950’s, a member of The Lion’s Club in Cluny and Windermere, and a member of Knights of Columbus. 

Theresa has enjoyed her sewing, crafts and her music throughout her life. She still enjoys these activities to this day and continues to play at Wheatland Lodge and Sagewood every week.

Ernie is now a resident of Extended Care in Strathmore Hospital, while Theresa resides at their home in town. She is very involved in writing the autobiographies of their families.