Leonard Norman Doerksen
May 15, 1936 - February 7, 2025
Tribute
Leonard Norman Doerksen was born to Jacob and Anna Doerksen on May 15, 1936, in Herbert, Saskatchewan. He was the older brother of Betty, Esther, Ruth, and Dan.
Len met Esther Epp at MEI (Clearbrook) in Grade 9 and they were married in 1957. Five children were born to them: Dorothy, Paul, Charles, Joyce, and Donald, then more were gladly welcomed to the family, to the third and fourth generation. Theirs was an ardent, long, and faithful love. After his Esther passed in 2023, Len wrote, “… getting older is knowing what loss, grief, and pain are all about … My love for you is stronger and deeper than ever before. As long as I’m living, your Lenny I’ll be.”
After graduating from MBBI (Clearbrook), Len completed a B.Th. at MBBC (Winnipeg), a B.A. at Tabor College (Hillsboro), and an M.A. from Chicago Graduate School of Theology. Len taught at Winkler Bible School and Columbia Bible College. Together, Len and Esther were pastor couple at Greendale MB, Hepburn MB, and Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship. From his teen-aged years and beyond, Len also drove truck for Lepp’s, Dueck’s, and Rempel Bros. Concrete. He and Esther then travelled the world as “Pastors @ Sea” and ran Mountain Acres B&B on their beautifully forested land on Sumas Mountain.
Len’s family walked him Home in his last days, holding his hand, singing songs, and telling stories. In the early hours of February 7, 2025, Len entered that Life after Life, reunited with his wife Esther, his brother Dan Doerksen, and grandson Matthew Peters. He is remembered by his earthly family: his sisters, Betty (John) Kampen, Esther (Cliff) Loewen-Hiebert, and Ruth (Peter) Klassen); his children, Dorothy (Greg) Peters, Paul Doerksen, Charles (Debbie) Doerksen, Joyce (Brian) Doerksen, Donald Doerksen; his 16 grandchildren, Dorolen, Jonathan, David, Chris, Nicole, Daniel, Kathryn, Sarah, Hannah, JJ, Rachel, Esther, Benjamin, Joy, Mercy, and Isaiah and Nick; and his 18 great-grandchildren, Livia, Matthew, Nathan, Jackson, Silas, Emmy, Olive, Boston, Rhys, Forrest, Romeo, Griffyn, Kira, Everest, Carter, Gwyneth, Emmerson, and Macsen.
Len’s memorial service will be Friday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. at the Clearbrook M.B. Church (2719 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC).
Please consider carpooling to the service.
Condolences
Send a condolence, light a candle and/or share a memory, click "Send Condolence". Once your message has been approved by the moderator it will be posted to the website.
From: Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home
Wiebe and Jeske Funeral Home Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Darlene Fach
Relation: cousin
Every summer my family would travel to BC and I well remember playing tag with cousins in Uncle Jake and Aunt Anna’s yard among the beautiful hydrangea bushes.
I think heaven is a wonderful reunion of all who have gone on before us.
I can imagine the Doerksen clan having lots of laughs together and yes perhaps guiding us along as well.
Although I will still be in Mexico I will watch the service on line and be with you in spirit.
Much love
Darlene Fach
From: Sig and Ruth Polle
Relation: Friends and colleges
Len and Esther have been special friends over many years. Len and Sig were colleagues and we met together every week to socialize. Even though we eventually lived in different places we would get together whenever we were in each other’s provinces. Len and Esther will always have a special place in our hearts. We miss them but are happy to know that they are together again in a place where there is no pain or suffering. May God comfort you as a family as you remember them and tell stories of the special times you had with them!
From: Maris Siemens Matty
Relation: Former student and current server at Ricky’s
I appreciated Leonard always remembering my name “,Maria” even in his latter months when a family member would bring him in for a meal at Ricky’s. Then he’d take a few seconds of time to reflect and say” You were a “Siemens”.Yes, I was a student of his in “wisdom literature “ course a good 50 years ago ! What an awesome tribute to a great teacher! Sorry I could not make it to the service due to cold/flu in our home. Is the service being recorded? An earthquake at 1:26 pm disrupted my search but reminded me of the resurrection in Christ.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
Date & Time:
February 21, 2025
Beginning at 1:00pm
Location:
Clearbrook MB Church
2719 Clearbrook Road
Abbotsford, BC Canada
Please consider carpooling to the service.
2719 Clearbrook Road
Abbotsford, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered directly through our supplier for delivery throughout the entire lower mainland, from Hope to Vancouver:
Wiebe & Jeske Funeral Home
202-31314 Peardonville Rd.
Abbotsford BC
V2T 6K8
info@wiebeandjeskefh.com
604-859-5885
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the address/phone number of the delivery location for handy reference.
Donate In Memory
Send Condolence - For Leonard Doerksen
Use the form below to send a Condolence, light a memorial candle and/or share a personal memory.
