Wilhelm (Bill) Zacharias
1930 ~ 2022Peacefully on November 22, 2022, at 12:15 a.m., our Dad, Bill Zacharias passed away at Boundary Trails Health Centre at the age of 92.
Bill was born to Jacob and Elizabeth Zacharias on May 18, 1930 in the village of Schoenwiese. He attended the Schoenwiese School. Although his childhood transpired during the years of the Depression, memories of his childhood were filled with happy times and he was the recipient of much love from his parents, siblings, many cousins and friends in the village of Schoenwiese. At eighteen, Bill was enamored by a beautiful young woman in the neighbouring village of Rosengart, Anne Giesbrecht. Bill and Anne were married on November 19th, 1950. They were married for 70 years. After their marriage, they bought a small farm near Stephenfield, Manitoba. There Bill and Anne grieved deeply the loss of their first-born child - a son, Willie Laurence. Sometime later Bill and Anne moved to a mixed farm near Schoenwiese. Bill was a hard worker, building up the mixed farm. Along with grain farming, raising pigs, milking cows and custom baling hay and flax straw, he also had a heart for working for the community by serving on many boards, including the Rhineland School Division, Gretna Credit Union, Eden Mental Health and Tabor Home boards. Bill was community minded and gave freely of his time and energy. Bill was baptized upon his confession of faith on May 30, 1950 in the Reinland Sommerfeld Mennonite Church. Dad felt a deep commitment to the church and faithfully served as a Vorsaenger (song leader) for 36 years. This involved song leading every Sunday morning and many funerals and weddings. In 1998, Bill and Anne retired to the town of Morden. Dad enjoyed his retirement. He made many new friends and quickly connected with his neighbour, developing a close friendship. Immediately Dad built a workshop and continued his love for woodworking. When his family or others placed an order with him, he immediately set to work to build the project and bring it to completion. Dad was task oriented. Anne suffered a stroke in March of 2013 and due to mobility restrictions, Anne spent the last eight and a half years in a care home. The implication of having to live separately impacted Dad deeply. His faith in God, his positive attitude and his love and commitment to Anne were so deep that every day he visited her and encouraged her and together they shared a new way of life. The pandemic was difficult for Bill, but they made the best of the circumstances. Dad enjoyed watching sports - especially football, baseball, curling and hockey. Many hours were spent watching his favorite teams.
In February 2022, Bill moved to the Buhler Active Living Center and enjoyed the company there immensely. The transition was seamless, thanks to the staff and residents there. Over and over again, he commented, “It’s all good, VERY GOOD.” Bill thrived there and as he did every morning, on November 17th, he went down to join his friends for coffee and a few good stories. Later that day would be floor curling and more visiting time. Shortly upon arriving at the coffee table, Bill experienced a heart attack and was hospitalized at Boundary Trails Health Centre. Again, he expressed much gratitude for the care and the visits he was receiving. On November 19th, at 7:30 p.m. Bill suffered a stroke, leaving him unresponsive. The family stayed by his side till November 22 at 12:15 a.m. when the Lord opened the door for him to come home. Bill lived life vibrantly and fully till the very end. He leaves a legacy of faith, love, joy, peace, kindness, compassion, generosity and goodness.
Bill is survived by his family: daughter, Sharon (John Friesen) of Altona, Heidi (Lyndon Toews), Celina, Liam, Natalie, Brent Friesen (Tara), Ellie, Raegan, daughter, Shirley (Jack Fehr) of Stanley, Lavonne (Sheldon Penner), Kolby, Taliya, Luke; Travis Fehr; Crystal (Brent Froese), Morgan, Ella, daughter, Jean (Rick Ginter) of Winnipeg, Matthew Friesen (Ashley), Chase, Makena, Madden; Chad Friesen (Teri-Lynn), Max, daughter, Valerie (Mark Cheatley) of Langdon, ND, Justin Cheatley, Rachel Cheatley (fiancé Ryan Kram), daughter, Hayley (Geoff Loewen) of Gretna, Tyler Loewen, Cody Loewen (Jozanna), Kemper; Dylan Loewen and Bill’s sisters: Eva Paetkau, Marge Zacharias and several in-laws, Anne’s family: Tina (Ben Hiebert), Mary (Dan Mehner), Frank Giesbrecht (Dorothy) and many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Anne; his infant son, Willie Laurence, his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Zacharias and his parents-in-law, Peter and Anna Giesbrecht, his siblings: Barbara, Susie, Marie, Anne, Jake, Betty, Tina, Nettie, Dave and Frank.
Bill enjoyed the company of family and friends so much – if he had met and talked to someone a few times, you were his friend. He took his friendships seriously. Bill enjoyed telling stories of his family and past and present memories. He prided himself in mental math skills to the very end. Bill enjoyed woodworking throughout his whole lifetime, but especially during his retirement years. Bill will forever be missed! Rest in peace, Dad.
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday November 26, 2022 at the Morden Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with interment at the Schoenwiese Cemetery.