1929-2021
David Neufeld, our beloved father, left us unexpectedly on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the age of 91, to join our Mom in their heavenly home. Dad was born in Didsbury on March 7, 1929, the fifth child of ten. He loved his brothers and sisters, and the time and fellowship they had over the years. The friendly curling rivalries, the Boxing Day Christmas celebrations, the faspas and visits. He never strayed far from them, and Didsbury and his family always called him back.
Throughout his life, Dad had many passions. He never met a stranger. Within minutes of meeting a person, he would have figured out a connection, someone or something they both had in common. In his retirement, he turned that into a hobby being the popcorn guy at the Olds Auction Mart, driving around as part of the Citizens on Patrol, almost daily coffees with his buddies which he was able to continue doing until recently. Even when that stopped, he became the Rummikub guy at Bethany.
Dad loved music. He learned to play the trombone in his teens, and participated in youth bands, but his real passion was for gospel music and singing. Dad was almost always involved in male quartets or choruses, and he loved to sing around the piano or listen to a good choir singing his favourite hymns.
Dad loved the outdoors. The family went on many camping trips over the years, but Dad loved the quiet pursuits most; fishing, watching the sunsets, and just being outside in nature. He loved helping farmers out during their harvest, riding the lawnmower out at Lynn’s farm, and eventually he was a man about town on the roads of Didsbury as he continued to explore outdoors on his trusty scooter steed.
Dad loved to build. After working for 20 years at Burns in Calgary, Dad struck out on his own in construction. He would eventually build three houses that he would live in and which, to this day, are still standing. Current residents talk about the quality of Dad’s workmanship and how his homes have withstood the years. He took pride in his work.
Dad loved Mom and his family. They had a pretty great life together, and raised six pretty decent kids, who raised even more decent kids. Theirs was a strong and committed relationship, full of love and affection, and they set the bar high for the rest of us. This was never more evident than when Mom began her decline into dementia, and Dad became her caregiver. He was such a faithful and loving husband, despite being sometimes overwhelmed by the difficulty of it all. Right up until her passing, there always remained beautiful evidence of their connection, and Dad never wavered in his commitment to her.
Finally, Dad loved God and his church. His was a quiet faith, but there was always a well-read Bible by his bed stand. He would never miss an opportunity to attend church, even if it meant listening to recordings of the service because he couldn’t be there in person. There is a beautiful symmetry to the beginning and end of his life that his burial will be within a mile of where he grew up and his funeral service at the church he loved, where he spent his youth, married the love of his life and said farewell to her and to so many friends and family. Rest well, Pops!
David is survived by his daughter-in-law Elfrieda; sons Ross (Nancy), Lynn (Ruth Ann), Larry (Lois); daughters Marian (Cal) and Angela; brother Leonard (Anne); sister Esther Christensen; sisters-in-law Edna Neufeld and Susie Neufeld; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Martha; his eldest son Doug; his parents Cornelius and Margaretha Neufeld; brothers Henry (Edna), Ben (Olga), Erdman (Ellen), Frank, Reuben and John (Selma); sister Frieda Derksen/Martens (Andrew/Abe), and brothers-in-law Henry Bartsch and Alex Christensen. Due to Covid restrictions, a family service will be held on Friday January 22, 2020. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Mennonite Central Committee. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Didsbury entrusted with arrangements. 403-335-4773 Condolences may be viewed or made at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
