Gerhard (George) Born died Sept. 24, 2009. He was born May 8, 1920 in Krasnopolji, Siberia to Gerhard and Anna Born and named Isaac. Gerhard’s father died in 1927. In 1929, the family left everything to immigrate to Canada but were sent back. In 1930, they moved to Ukraine. In 1933, Anna and 2 of Gerhard’s brothers died in the famine. In 1943, Gerhard moved to Poland, where he changed his name to Gerhard, for his personal safety. In 1944, Gerhard was drafted into the German army. He was wounded and taken as a prisoner of war in 1945. Freed in 1950, Gerhard left Germany after learning of relatives in Canada in 1952. He was baptized on confession of his faith into Sargent Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, in 1954. He made his faith the cornerstone of his life. Gerhard married Katie Wiebe Oct. 17, 1959. Their house was just down the street from Elmwood MB Church, where they became members. Gerhard went to barber school, then bought bought a shop in 1969, working there until retirement in 1987. Gerhard enjoyed music and loved to tinker and repair things, partly out of necessity, but largely for the challenge. He was never too busy to help. After a table-saw accident in 1990, Gerhard was diagnosed with macular degeneration. In 2005, he moved to the personal care home side of Donwood Manor. Gerhard was a quiet, hardworking, selfless, generous, patient, gentle giant in a 5’3” body. He was a prayerful servant of God and a man of faith who loved his family and his Lord. Predeceased by Katie in 2002, 9 siblings; Gerhard is mourned by daughters Carolyn (Frank) Friesen, Lena (Dave) Kublick; 5 grandchildren.
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