Jakob A. “Jake” Konrad of Grande Prairie, AB, ended his earthly journey on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Points West Living, at the age of 90 years.

Jake was born on August 12, 1927 to Abraham and Elizabeth (Nachtegal) Konrad on a homestead near Clairmont, AB. He was the fourth of nine children and the first Canadian-born child following his parents’ arrival from Russia in 1925, during a wave of German Mennonite migration. The family grew up on a farm near La Glace, AB where they learned the value of hard work, and the importance of family and faith. Jake’s lifelong love of family and hard work were forged in those early years.

Jake attended grades 1 to 10 at the La Glace School. In grade 9, he received the Governor General Award. He completed grades 11 and 12 at a private Mennonite School in Gretna, Manitoba, graduating in 1945. This move to Manitoba was much to the surprise of neighbours, who could not understand why his parents sent away a strong boy who could have been helping on the farm. However, it represented the value his mother placed on education and the cost the family was willing to pay for Jake to finish his high school education.

As a boy growing up, Jake helped on the family farm. When older, he farmed rental land for a number of years. Jake and his brother, Henry, became partners in a trucking business, until Henry’s untimely death in 1954. Jake then established J.A. Konrad Trucking and was self-employed from 1954-1967. He loved driving and was considered by his peers to be one of the best truck drivers.

Jake was married to Ruby Goertzen in November 1955. In 1963, while supporting his family of four small children, he attended Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and obtained his welding ticket.

Changing occupations, Jake worked for Grande Prairie Lumber, which later became CANFOR, during which time he attended Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), obtaining his Millwright Ticket in 1972. He was subsequently hired by Procter and Gamble, where he worked in the pulp mill, the training center and lastly in the sawmill as a saw filer. During this time, he attended NAIT again, and obtained his Heavy-duty Mechanic Ticket in 1976.

After retirement, Jake spent a decade working for Henry Hamm at Dirham Homes from spring to fall each year in a variety of roles, from siding homes to being a grounds keeper until age 77. Later he was the “chair stacker” at the Church of Christ.

Jake loved being active and purchased an acreage at the age of 68 years. He spent many happy days at ‘the ranch’ clearing land, building a cabin, and gardening. Jake was happiest being busy and working outdoors.

Family was important to Jake and as his children grew up, he spent many hours helping them with projects.

Jake was a man of many interests. He loved history, was a camera enthusiast and an avid gardener, loved to curl and to watch curling, read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, and over the years, developed an extensive library of books and classical music. His wide span of knowledge meant he was an interesting conversationalist and could hold his own on many subjects.

As an adult, he returned to the faith of his youth and was a faithful parishioner at the Church of Christ in Grande Prairie. Even in later years when his health was failing, he loved hearing and singing old hymns which brought him much joy.

Throughout his life, he retained a strong connection to his siblings.

Jake will be dearly missed by his wife Ruby of 62 years; children: Terry Eherer, Keith (Gail), Larry (Marla), and Darla (Jim) Dingeldein; much-loved grandchildren: RaeAnne (Brad) Leach, Joel (Joelle) Eherer, and Jesse (Nicole) Eherer, Nathan, Aidan and Juliana Konrad, Micheal (Ashlie) Dingeldein, Jason (Brianne Rouse) Dingeldein and Ashley (Steven) Dageforde, as well as nine great-grandchildren, whom he loved so much: Paisley, Austen and Kaeden Leach, Atley Eherer, Xavier and Erik Dingeldein, Olivia Dingeldein, and Brody and Brooke Dageforde.

Jake is survived by his siblings: Abe (Mary) Konrad of Abbotsford, BC, Dan (Rosanna) Konrad of Prince George, BC, Helen Knight of Clearwater, BC, and Irene (Vern) Kopp of Kelowna, BC; brother in-law Mel Sask of Clearwater, BC; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Jake was predeceased by his mother and father, Elizabeth and Abraham Konrad in 1980, an infant brother, Henry, buried at sea in 1926; brother Henry in 1954; sister Elizabeth in 1989, sister Huldah in 2017; mother in-law Anna Goertzen in 2011 and son in-law Gerry Eherer in 2013.

From the bottom of our hearts we wish to thank Dr. James Pope for his compassionate care, especially during the last few years, and to thank his nurse, Donna for her assistance and kindness. We would like to thank Mae Hunt for the personal loving care she provided Jake while still at home. We are also grateful to the staff of Points West Living for their loving care and kindness.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 1:00pm, at the Church Of Christ in Grande Prairie, AB (9602 92 Ave Highland Park).

Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT (102 9823 116 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4B4) or MCC Canada (134 Plaza Dr. Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9) or to a charity of your choice.