Tribute

Herman Ziesman of Abbotsford, B.C., entered his heavenly home on Oct. 30, 2024 at the age of 103. Born August 1,1921 in Korosten, Russia (now Ukraine), he immigrated to Canada in 1926 with his parents, baby sister Diana, and his grandparents. They were settled in Morris, Manitoba. He was the eldest child of Ludwig and Olga Ziesman. He had four sisters and three brothers (two brothers died as young children). He was married to Ona Skidmore on Feb.16,1952 until her passing on July 4, 2016. They have five children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Children: Norman (Judy) Ziesman, Virginia (Dan) Cochrane, Brenda Ziesman, David(Jeanette)Ziesman, Carolyn(Scott) Ediger, grandchildren: Kyle, Corby, Cassandra, Rick(Jenn), Christina, Ryan (Janine), Scott(Jessica), Matthew(Lindsay), Cassidy, Carson, Brody; great-grandchildren: Rayne, Ayla, Jaxon, Kingston, Bennett and Abigail. Herman was predeceased by his wife , Ona; sisters: Emily Bergstresser, and Elsie Schultz, and grandson Kyle. His surviving siblings are: Ed(Carol)Ziesman, Evelyn Anderson, Diana Webster.

As a young man, Herman trained as a journeyman carpenter, was a Watkins salesman, and eventually a Customs Officer at Emerson, MB border crossing and later at the Edmonton International Airport. He was an avid gardener and horticulturist. Always had a very large garden in Emerson where they spent 23 years. He entered many of his beautiful flowers into local Horticultural Shows and brought home quite a few red and blue ribbons. He spent countless hours planting and harvesting produce from the garden. He also loved to make things out of wood and built new kitchen cabinets for the house and made various tables and other items that have stood the test of time and some are still in use in family members homes today.

His career took him to Alberta to the EIA in 1975 where he worked a few more years and then retired in 1981. They moved to Abbotsford in 1982 and spent the rest of their days there. Throughout his life he lived and served his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was always very involved in our local Baptist Church in Emerson and some have referred to him as their pastor.  Although he wasn’t a pastor , he did do pretty much everything else at one time or another in the church, such as board chairman, treasurer, maintenance, visitation, and yes he did even preach a couple times for the pastor when he was on vacation. He lived an upright, honest life, living by the principals of his faith, never wavering throughout many trials and sorrows. He was always there with a quick witty reply, and was known for his puns. He and Ona were members of the Gideon Society as well. He had some musical talent also. They attended Seven Oaks Alliance in Abbotsford and joined in the fellowship of the Good Friends. They both took part in  skits and musical numbers. Dad loved to play his Omnichord and had other musical instruments as well such as violins and harmonicas. His favourite music was of course Gospel hymns which he loved listening to as well. He and Ona took several cruises and visited Russia via a cruise that took them to St. Petersburg; a cruise to Alaska , and the trip that started it all was to Oberammergau, Germany, to see the Passion Play.

Herman and Ona eventually moved into Primrose Gardens , Menno Home, Abbotsford. After Ona passed in 2016 he continued to live there until his health started failing. On August 26 th , 2024, he was admitted to hospital and spent the next 8 weeks in there battling one thing and another. He was discharged back to his apartment for one week, and then was moved into a long term care facility where he passed away 5 days later on October 30, 2024.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Herman may be sent to The Gideon’s, Samaritan’s Purse, or a charity of your choice.