Obituary for Winfried "Fred" Biebersdorf
Biebersdorf, Winfried (Fred)
Beloved husband of 65 years to Irmgard Biebersdorf (nee Brauckmann) passed away peacefully in his 94th year at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Thursday February 23, 2023.
Fred (Opi) is lovingly remembered by his daughter Barbara Rankie (Mark), son Thomas (Nicole) and his granddaughters Danielle Rankie (Greg) and Celine Rankie (Jake). Born second into a family of 5 in East Prussia in 1929, Fred was predeceased by his parents August and Anna, stepmother Berta, and siblings Edeltraut Wolfe, Werner and Horst Biebersdorf in Germany and Else Zimmermann from Niagara. He leaves behind sister-in-law Gretel Biebersdorf and brother-in-law Wilfried Brauckmann and many nieces and nephews both here in Canada and Germany.
After immigrating in 1956 from Germany, Fred and Irmgard got married and settled in St. Catharines to raise their family. Fred worked 30 years at General Motors retiring in 1992. Fred was also widely known for his passion, bricklaying, as he built countless fireplaces and chimneys all across Ontario for family, friends, colleagues and to much of his family’s dismay, just about anyone who called! His creativity in bricklaying was only matched with his love of writing and poetry. There weren’t too many visits where he didn’t have a poem or two that he wanted typed and printed by one of his granddaughters. Fred also loved the North, the outdoors, gardening and creating things out of scraps of wood, twigs and just about anything he could get his hands on.
Fred was also a long-standing member and treasurer of the Heidelberg-Rheingold Singers. He truly loved to sing and loved being one of the bass section’s oldest singers. He also loved to travel with his family and friends and managed to sail on 12 cruises after retiring.
Fred lived a long and wonderful life and loved his family dearly. There was never a get together where he didn’t have everyone (including himself) in tears with one of his stories, salty jokes or his hearty laugh.
According to Fred’s wishes, no ceremony will be held and cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Passfield Mortuary Services Inc. 341 Linwell Rd. St. Catharines.
As an expression of sympathy, those who wish, may make a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Heidehof Home for the Aged.
Beloved husband of 65 years to Irmgard Biebersdorf (nee Brauckmann) passed away peacefully in his 94th year at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Thursday February 23, 2023.
Fred (Opi) is lovingly remembered by his daughter Barbara Rankie (Mark), son Thomas (Nicole) and his granddaughters Danielle Rankie (Greg) and Celine Rankie (Jake). Born second into a family of 5 in East Prussia in 1929, Fred was predeceased by his parents August and Anna, stepmother Berta, and siblings Edeltraut Wolfe, Werner and Horst Biebersdorf in Germany and Else Zimmermann from Niagara. He leaves behind sister-in-law Gretel Biebersdorf and brother-in-law Wilfried Brauckmann and many nieces and nephews both here in Canada and Germany.
After immigrating in 1956 from Germany, Fred and Irmgard got married and settled in St. Catharines to raise their family. Fred worked 30 years at General Motors retiring in 1992. Fred was also widely known for his passion, bricklaying, as he built countless fireplaces and chimneys all across Ontario for family, friends, colleagues and to much of his family’s dismay, just about anyone who called! His creativity in bricklaying was only matched with his love of writing and poetry. There weren’t too many visits where he didn’t have a poem or two that he wanted typed and printed by one of his granddaughters. Fred also loved the North, the outdoors, gardening and creating things out of scraps of wood, twigs and just about anything he could get his hands on.
Fred was also a long-standing member and treasurer of the Heidelberg-Rheingold Singers. He truly loved to sing and loved being one of the bass section’s oldest singers. He also loved to travel with his family and friends and managed to sail on 12 cruises after retiring.
Fred lived a long and wonderful life and loved his family dearly. There was never a get together where he didn’t have everyone (including himself) in tears with one of his stories, salty jokes or his hearty laugh.
According to Fred’s wishes, no ceremony will be held and cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to Passfield Mortuary Services Inc. 341 Linwell Rd. St. Catharines.
As an expression of sympathy, those who wish, may make a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Heidehof Home for the Aged.