GORDON ELMER BEIERBACH

June 8, 1928 ~ April 29, 2016

Elmer Beierbach, beloved husband of Rovena of 63 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2016, at the age of 87 years. Elmer was born in Medicine Hat to Gordon and Emma Beierbach, the eldest of 4 sons. Dad was raised and received his education in the Graburn area not far from the Cypress Hills. On October 25, 1952, Elmer married the love of his life, Rovena Weiss, in the Grace Baptist Church. After their marriage, they began farming and ranching. During their early years, they were blessed with two children, Sandi (1953) and Doug (1956). Dad and Mom sold the old place and in 1959, they moved their family and their farming/ranching to Graburn, 5 miles north of the Cypress Hills. Dad loved his Hereford cows and his John Deere tractor. After many years of hard work (seeding crops, haying, branding, moving cattle to the Cypress Hills for summer grazing and fall round-ups to bring the cattle home for the winter) and nasty blizzards. Dad and Mom said “enough” and retired to Medicine Hat in 1978. In town, dad had the most beautiful flowers and the lushest, greenest lawn. The highlight of Dad’s life was when his granddaughters, Brandi, Jodie and Krista were born. He carried the girls here, there and everywhere showing them pictures, flowers and whatever they wanted to see until they were old enough to walk. Many trips were made to Grandpa’s candy dish. September 2014, Dad moved to Sunnyside due to failing health. Along with his wife Rovena, Elmer is survived by: his children, Sandi (Ed Beach), Doug (Rhonda) Beierbach; granddaughters, Brandi Beierbach, Jodie (Brad) Fisher, Krista (Cory) Vossler; great-grandchildren, Toby and Zoey Fisher, Payton and Hunter Vossler; brothers, Ken (Shirley) Beierbach, Walter (Marlene) Beierbach and Len Beierbach; sister-in-law, Bernice Lehr as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter in infancy, Kathy; parents, Gordon and Emma Beierbach; parents-in-law, Herb and Olinda Weiss; sisters-in-law, Marlene and Josephine; brothers-in-law, Lavern Weiss, Ernie Lehr and Vic Opp as well as one niece and two nephews. In honouring Elmer’s wishes, his life will be remembered without the proceedings of a formal service.

“If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane,

I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you back again.”

A come and go celebration of Elmer’s life will be held at Rovena’s home, 2975 – 15 Avenue S.E. (behind Chinook Village) on Thursday, May 5, 2016, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. We, the family, would like to thank all of the staff at Sunnyside for the wonderful care and compassion they provided to Dad. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cook southland.com) If friends so desire, donations in memory of Elmer may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455