Gerald Schellenberg

1954 - 2024

Gerald Edward Schellenberg, beloved husband of Janet, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus on his 70th birthday. Throughout his seven year battle with cancer, he showed perseverance, determination, a positive attitude and an unwavering faith.

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 - 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Thursday, April 18, 2024 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:45 A.M.

The Burial Service was held at the Bow Island Cemetery on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.

The Funeral Service was held at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 - 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. 

Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by visiting www.bowislandefc.com and clicking on the "live" link in the top left corner of the page at 12:45 P.M. on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 1:00 P.M. 

Besides his loving wife Janet, Gerald will forever be missed by their children Jessica (Jeremy) Poettcker of Coaldale and their family Madison, Hayden and Alistair; Nikki (Randy) Ohlmann of Coaldale and their family Karli, Audra and Nevan; Shawn (Krystal) Schellenberg of Red Deer and their family Braxton and Lincoln. He is also survived by his siblings Lynn Schellenberg, Kathy (Gerald) Reimer, Rob (Rose) Schellenberg and by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter Tanya Schellenberg, his parents John and Helen Schellenberg and by his in-laws, Helmut and Nettie Schroeder.

Gerald was born to John and Helen Schellenberg on April 7, 1954 in Cabri, Saskatchewan. He asked Jesus into his life at the age of five years. He had attended a deeper life service where hell and brimstone was being preached. Afterwards, he was found crying on his mom’s bed. When his mom asked why he was crying, he responded by saying he didn’t want to go to hell. His mother responded by saying “well you don’t have to.” It was then he asked Jesus into his life. He took another step of following his Saviour by being baptized when he was twenty four years old.

In high school, Gerald was involved with every sport available. He could run really fast and that played out well for high school sports. He loved track, badminton, baseball and football. After high school, He attended Bethany Bible Institute. At Bible school, he sang in the chorale and played sports (his favourite was hockey).

While in Beechy, Saskatchewan, Gerald worked for Melvin Wiens on the farm and his dad at the “garage”. He earned his journeyman papers in auto body mechanics in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. When a new pastor couple came to Beechy, their son Raymond and Gerald became musical buddies. One evening, Raymond wanted to go to youth so he decided to pawn his sister Janet off on Gerald. Raymond took Janet to where Gerald was harvesting, dropped her off and never came back. When Janet was a month into her nursing education, Gerald proposed. He waited until Janet had started her education to propose because he wanted her to have a career in case anything happened to him. On August 4, 1979, Gerald and Janet were married by Janet’s father Helmut in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In their early years of marriage, Janet finished her nursing diploma and Gerald continued to further his mechanics and auto body knowledge.

While in Beechy, Gerald's dad passed away. A year later, Gerald and Janet's family began to grow with the birth of their first daughter Jessica. When Jessica was around a year old, Gerald decided not to take over the family business and they moved to Bow Island. While in Bow Island, he worked at the Chev dealership, Alfred Egan Home and then the maintenance department at the Bow Island Health Centre until his retirement.

Gerald and Janet were heartbroken when their second daughter Tanya was born stillborn, however, God blessed them with two more children, Nikki and Shawn. They were thankful their kids were able to grow up with cousins and extended family close by.

While in Bow Island, Gerald was always involved in the church and community. He helped to serve in the church in a variety of ways including leading worship (singing and playing guitar), editing church service videos, serving on the Southern Alberta Bible Camp board and helping to build community by sharing his love and wisdom with those around him. In the community, Gerald helped to coach a variety of sports for his kids. He could often be seen smiling, telling jokes and visiting with anyone he met along his way. His face would light up when he saw people he knew. He had a unique ability to be able to connect well with those around him and find something interesting to talk about. Gerald was known for his outgoing, patient, loving personality. He would always greet people with “good thanks, you?”. He was a faithful attender to all of his kids and grandkids sporting events. When his health declined and he could no longer attend these special events in person, he got LiveBarn so he could watch them online. He made an effort to make sure that those around him knew how much he loved them and enjoyed spending time with them, creating unforgettable moments filled with laughter and love.

Whatever the season, Gerald could be found enjoying the outdoors and his favourite sports teams (Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Bruins). Gerald loved to spend time with his family and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, swimming, camping and attending sporting and dance events. His family was blessed to be able to have so much fun creating memories with him doing these things. In his later years, once the kids had left home, he enjoyed travelling with Janet and his friends to many places in the Caribbean.

“Every day we spent Gerald was a blessing. In fall of 2022, Gerald became quite ill with covid and was hospitalized for around seventy days. Throughout his time in the hospital, there were moments where we thought he might pass away. When he got well enough to leave the hospital, we cherished the extra time with him. As he had more mobility issues after his last round of radiation, he was hospitalized again. Though Gerald’s earthly journey has come to an end, we are celebrating that he is now in the arms of his Saviour in Heaven.”

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Gerald’s name may be made directly to Southern Alberta Bible Camp, Box 99, Lomond, Alberta T0L 1G0 www.sabc.ca or the Bow Island & District Health Foundation, c/o Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta T0K 0G0.

The family wish to thank their friends and family who have supported them over the years. They would also like to thank Dr. Tawfeeq, the Bow Island Hospital staff, Alfred Egan Home staff and Dr. Lee Ying at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.