Jennie Syneva Gjesdal (nee Goplen)
December 29, 1926 - February 22, 2018
On the afternoon of February 22, 2018 our loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother Jennie Gjesdal died at the Birchview Nursing Home in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan at the age of 91 years after a short battle with cancer. Born in Leader, Saskatchewan with her twin sister Minnie Avery on December 29, 1926 the Goplen family eventually moved to Paddockwood, Saskatchewan. After attending high school at the Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute in Outlook, Saskatchewan, mom entered nurses training and in 1948 graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Victoria Hospital School of Nursing. Following nurses training, mom worked in Calgary at the Colonel Belcher Hospital, the Crippled Children’s Hospital (currently known as the Alberta Children’s Hospital) and also in the operating room at the Cowichan Bay Hospital. It was during the Goplen’s family time at Christopher Lake Bible Camp (Kinasao) that she was introduced to Harvey Gjesdal, whom she married in October, 1950. Mom always liked to keep busy. She enjoyed walking, gardening, baking, knitting, hosting dinner parties, quilting, reading, playing the piano and organ, supporting the work on the farm and traveling the world with dad. Mom also enjoyed volunteer work, including serving on the board of the Birch Hills Memorial Hospital, playing organ for 47 years at Lake Park Lutheran Church, and serving as a member of the Birchview Ladies Auxiliary. Mom was a dear friend and neighbour to many, and she remained interested in supporting her family, the community she lived in and helping those who were less fortunate. She enjoyed her time at the condo in Birch Hills and her weekend visits with family at the cabin at Christopher Lake. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mom will be dearly missed by her children Roger, Nancy (Alf Guebert) and Lorna, her grandchildren Brian (Chelsea), Jenilee (Chris Zietsman) and Logan, and her great grandchild Erick Zietsman-Guebert. Mom will also be greatly missed by her identical twin sister Minnie Avery, whom she enjoyed visiting and talking with as often as possible. Mom, we take comfort in knowing that you are now at peace and joining dad in heaven. We want to thank the entire staff at the Birch View Nursing Home for their love and care to mom. A Celebration of Mom’s Life will take place at Lake Park Lutheran Church, Birch Hills, SK on Saturday March 3, 2018 at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations can be made to Lake Park Lutheran Church or Kinasao Lutheran Bible Camp. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium – Shellbrook Funeral Home. Brian and Bev Stobbs, Funeral Directors. www.MacKenzieChapel.ca 306.763.8488