In Loving Memory Of
Barbel Hildegard Piepers
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Barbel Hildegard Piepers on Friday, October 12, 2018, at the age of 79 years.
Our mother was born on September 1, 1939, in Breslau, Germany. Mom didn’t have much of a childhood growing up where and when she did. Her early life was a series of migrations west, then back east, and then ultimately west again. She grew up quick and quite young, and was already helping her mother with chores where she could. She recalls going out into the fields from time to time to ask some of the local farmers for potatoes and vegetables for some suppers, and looking after her newborn sister beginning at the age of 7 from the mid to late 1940’s. During her early childhood, Mom had very interesting accounts of her mother’s, brothers’ and her own survival.
Mom met Dad in the late 1950’s, and they were married on January 31, 1959 in Westerstede, Germany before immigrating to Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada that same year. She was a great homemaker and mother who loved her children and her dogs. She was a great cook, especially for someone who didn’t like to cook! As Dad had always said of her, she had a strong spirit and was a fighter! Diagnosed with cancer in early 2008, in addition to already having diabetes, she fought an uphill battle over the years. She stayed strong and spiritual, and was with us here on earth for another 10 years. Although her mind and spirit were always strong, all of her health problems eventually took their toll on her body.
“Our Mom will always be one of our greatest teachers, a shoulder to cry on for us, our most passionate defender and friend.”
She will be sadly and greatly missed by her children Frank (Yvonne) Piepers, Henry Piepers, and Pamela (James) Koyman; grandchildren: Norman (Harmony) Piepers, Dennis Piepers, Krystal Piepers-Sydoruk, and Miles Koyman; great-grandchildren: Katrina Piepers, Jayden Piepers, Nicholas Sydoruk, Piper Sydoruk, Axle Piepers, and Jaxon Piepers.
She was predeceased by her husband Hans Gerd Piepers; her son and our brother Norman Gerd Piepers; mother Hildegard Arndt; father Paul Arndt; sister Sonja Van Dullen; and brother Joachim Arndt.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbel Hildegard Piepers September 1 1939 October 12 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta