Tribute

Peter Goosen passed away on March 10, 2019 at Cascade Hospice, Chilliwack.    He was born to Henrich Goosen and Elizabeth (nee Dueckman) February 16, 1930 in Orloff, a Mennonite settlement of Zagradovka in southern soviet Russia, which is today the country of Ukraine.  Peter was the fourth oldest of seven children.

Peter and his father, mother and 5 siblings started their 5 year journey out of the Soviet land to Canada on October 30^th, 1943.  They landed in Mission, B.C. in September 1948 minus their father and oldest brother who were taken into the army.  The last anyone saw of their father and husband was January 1^st, 1945.  The Goosen family endured many hardships on their travels during this time.

Peter and his mother and siblings lived in John Goosen’s garage before they were able to find a home on South Sumas Road in Greendale.  His two sisters soon left for work in Vancouver and his brothers went to school.  Peter worked for a farmer for a short while, then got a job at Atkins Saw Mill.

Peter met Helen in Greendale, B.C. and were married in the Greendale MB Church on August 23, 1953.  Their family grew with four children, Ed, Ernie, Carl and Eleanor.  Peter drove truck and started farming on a small acreage on Sumas Prairie Rd.  Later they moved to a dairy farm at the end of South Sumas Road in Greendale and farmed there from 1964 – 1990. Peter was a hard working, self taught entrepreneur, he took on greater than normal risks and was a successful dairy farmer with the help of his wife by his side and his son, Carl.  Peter and Helen moved off the farm and built their retirement home on South Sumas Road in 1988 and soon after Carl and his wife, Elaine took over the farm.

They loved to travel and would often take trips to Europe, and also with an RV they would travel across Canada and later spent the winters in Arizona.  Dad loved to drive. He enjoyed wood work projects and spending time with friends and family.  They moved from Greendale to a beautiful home in Sardis in 2008, then in 2013 moved to a condo they presently call home on Amber Drive.

Dad was a faithful, devoted Christian man.  He was comforted knowing he would be with the Lord when he drew his last breath, and always talked about seeing his father and mother and son in heaven one day.  He longed to walk the streets of gold with his Lord and Saviour.

Peter had a heart attack on January 31, 2019 and did not recover from this, he later died in Cascade Hospice.

Peter was predeceased by his brother, Henry and three sisters, Liese Goosen, Mary Balzer and Katie Redekop and the tragic death of his oldest son, Edward Goosen in 1985.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen (Siebert) and their children, Ernie (Michele) Goosen, Carl (Elaine) Goosen, Eleanor (Mike) Girard and daughter-in-law, Anneke VanLeeuwen (Lawrence Dirks).  His grandchildren, Erin (Jonathan Gee) Goosen, Dean (Jaylene) Goosen, Brad Goosen, Brent Goosen, Craig Goosen, Scott (Brittany) Goosen, Bryan (Danielle) Goosen, Eric (Michelle) Goosen, Matthew (Jen) Girard, Luke Girard, Nick Girard, Chris Girard as well as step-grandchildren, Amber Dirks and Shayna Dirks.  9 great grandchildren and one on the way.  Peter will also be missed by his brothers John Goosen and Jack (Carol) Goossen.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Chilliwack Hospital and the Cascade Hospice for their care and kindness of Peter during his final days of his life, and for the many people that stopped by and visited with Peter in those last days.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fraser Valley Gleaners.