Arthur Henry Gaertner was born March 30, 1936 in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. Growing up, Art and his siblings (sister Elfreda and brothers Gay and Wilfred) traveled to school by horse and toboggan in the winter and in the summer by horse and buggy. In the winter of 1940 he had an appendicitis attack. His mother, thinking it was the stomach flu, applied a hot water bottle which caused his appendix to burst and he went unconscious. They rushed him to the doctor and operated immediately. The doctor told his parents that he may not live however he pulled through it. Art went to Two Rivers Bible School from 1951 – 1954. In the spring of 1955 he started his farming career. After retiring from farming, Dad started working at the Zenon Park Dehy and continued for many years also through the move to Armley and then the shutdown.
In 1965 he married, Gail Colquhoun, and lived on Ed Steinke’s place. To this union, in 1972 their first son was born, Dwight; and then shortly after in 1975 David was born. Art’s life was filled with his strong love for the Lord. If he wasn’t taking a carload of us to Awana he was part of a church function or just sharing his love for the Lord through conversations, prayer and also in worship. He loved to sing and play his accordion, harmonica, and trumpet. He enjoyed playing hockey, hunting, camping, fishing and most of all being with his family and friends.
Dad battled cancer twice and was able to fight through it both times. In July, Dad moved into the Arborfield Care Home until he passed on October 07, 2016. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 51 years, Gail; sons Dwight and David; sister Elfreda Gaertner and brothers Gay (Wanda) Gaertner and Wilfred (Sharon) Gaertner; brothers-in-law David (Shirley) Colquhoun and Bill (Donnie) Colquhoun; sister-in-law Janice Colquhoun; as well as nieces, nephews extended family and friends.
Donations may be made to
Arborfield Special Care Home
as a token of remembrance