Remembering our roots -Albert & Vi Giesbrecht

Times Contributor

 

Albert’s family originated in Holland, and emigrated to Southern Manitoba in 1865, where there were already over 5,000 Mennonites. Albert was born in 1943, in a log cabin near Lavenham, Man., the 11th and last child of his Mennonite family. He went to school in Austin, Man. through Grade 8, when he left to join a construction company.

Vi’s ancestors go back to at least the early 1300’s, and were Germans from the Baden-Wuttemberg region of Germany. In 1783, they immigrated to Galicia, an area created by Poland, which was under Austrian rule. Starting in the late 1800’s, several branches of the family emigrated to Canada, settling in the Plumas area of Manitoba. 

Being farmers they took advantage of the ‘free’ land being offered by the Canadian Government and the CPR. When Vi was born in 1943, the fifth of six children, her christened name was Viola Volker, but it was soon shortened to ‘Vi’ and her surname was changed from Volker to Walker. She started school in a one-room country school, before attending Plumas High School through Grade 11. After graduating she worked at Eaton’s Department Store in Winnipeg.

Albert and Vi met through mutual friends, and were married in May 1963 in a Lutheran Church in Plumas. They have two sons, and a grand- daughter, who lives in Santa Barbara, California. They moved to Calgary in 1965, where Albert continued to work in construction, before forming his own company, Albert Giesbrecht Construction, in 1994. His company built commercial buildings, farm buildings and some residential homes. 

Vi worked as a secretary at different offices after they moved to Calgary.

In 1979, they moved to the Ardenode area, north of Strathmore, then moved into Strathmore in 1979, moving into one of the first houses to be built in the Thorncliffe area, where they still live. Vi spent 17 years working for Canada Post. 

When I asked why they moved to Strathmore, they replied “mainly because other family members lived here”.

They have spent many years assisting in community activities, especially since moving to Strathmore. Albert served as President of the Ag Society for 12 years, was involved in the building of the Lutheran Church, and he and Vi still assist in putting together the Celebration of Lights at the Ag Grounds. Vi has spent 12 years working with Christmas Hamper in charge of toys, has served with the Chamber of Commerce, and the Library Board. 

When I asked what changes they had seen since 1979, they advised the population then was around 2,000. The Seed Cleaning Plant was the furthest north structure, with nothing but farmland beyond. George Freeman Trail didn’t exist, there were no bridges over the canal, and no Centre Street. Getting to their house was quite an experience.