Hi everyone. I am overwhelmed by all the wonderful comments left on this blog, and emailed and letter-mailed to me and my family. Thanks you so much for sharing how my dad was important in your life. Here is a copy of the obituary that appeared in the Moose Jaw Times-Herald, the Regina Leader Post, the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, and the Abbotsford Times:
FALK-Dr. George David Falk of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, June 2nd, 2008 at the age of 50 years. Dr. Falk was born on July 22nd, 1957 in Abbotsford, B.C. to Henry and Margaret (Stobbe) Falk. He married Ev Reimer on August 21st, 1976. He was a passionate father, gardener, playwright, actor and educator. He graduated high school from the Mennonite Educational Institute in 1975. He earned his B.Ed. from Simon Fraser University in 1984, then earned his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida in 1994. George moved to Moose Jaw in 1984 where he held various positions in Education, including teacher at Peacock Collegiate (1984-1989), Principal of Cornerstone Christian School (1997-2004) and Superintendent during the amalgamation into Prairie South School Division from 2004 until the present. He was heavily involved in the fine arts, appearing in many theatrical productions in Moose Jaw, most notably Fiddler on the Roof with himself, his wife and children in the starring roles. His play Heaven Is won the Saskatchewan Drama Association provincial festival in 1997. His other plays have won many other awards and have been produced throughout Canada. George's gardening was a metaphor for his belief in his students. Both his plants and students were carefully tended and placed in their ideal environment. All were given the opportunity to thrive, despite other people defining them as "weeds. " In both his horticultural and educational life he created diverse environments in his own gregarious style. He is survived by his wife Ev; son Sean (Crystal); daughter Janice (Nick) Lamb; son Matthew (Kristina); son Daniel; son David (Leanne); grandchildren Izaak, Stephen, Sage and Ty; siblings Abe (Jessie), John (Hilda), Erna (Walter) Janzen, Marge (Mel) Weick, Peter (Sandra), and Ben (Pat). A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 7th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of Hillcrest Apostolic Church, 1550 Main St.North, Moose Jaw, Sask. A service celebrating George's life will be held on Sunday, June 8th, 2008 at the Hildebrand Chapel, Briercrest Bible College, Caronport, Sask. at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Allan Buchanan officiating. Memorial contributions can be made in lieu of flowers and gifts to the Dr. George Falk Memorial Scholarship. Please make cheques payable to Prairie South School Division # 210 ~ memo: Attn Dr. George Falk Memorial Scholarship, 1 ~ 15 Thatcher Drive East, Moose Jaw, Sask. S6J 1L8. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Jeff Ofstie, Funeral Director. 693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I'll fly away, O glory
Thank you everyone for your prayers and encouragements over the last 5 months. On Monday, 2 June 2008, at 5:20 pm, my dad, George Falk, went to be with his Saviour in heaven. He was surrounded by family, who had spent the afternoon singing worship songs and hymns, watching musicals on video, and chatting together.
There will be a viewing at Hillcrest Church on Saturday, 7 June from 7 to 9 pm. The funeral will be at Hildebrand Chapel, Caronport on Sunday, 8 June at 3 pm. There will be a reception directly following the service.
Dad found Jeremiah 29:11-14 very important to his life so it seems fitting to include it in our last update about him.
"'For I know the plans I have for your,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will be listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD."
Monday, June 2, 2008
Christ will be exalted
Hi everyone,
We would like to thank people for their emails and for their generosity for providing meals at this time. Thank you all for your care and prayers.
Dad has weakened to the point where visitation is restricted to family. If you would like to send a message to Dad, please email us (or hit reply) and we will ensure that he hears it.
Philippians 1:20-21 (New International Version)
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thanks,
Ev, Janice, Matt, Dan, and Dave
We would like to thank people for their emails and for their generosity for providing meals at this time. Thank you all for your care and prayers.
Dad has weakened to the point where visitation is restricted to family. If you would like to send a message to Dad, please email us (or hit reply) and we will ensure that he hears it.
Philippians 1:20-21 (New International Version)
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Thanks,
Ev, Janice, Matt, Dan, and Dave
Friday, May 16, 2008
Caroling in Spring!
Hi everyone,
Greetings from the Falk family! We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of so many people. Thank you for everything you've given and for all your prayers and encouragement. We are grateful for the gifts of food many have given us today to help with the company. Many from the worship arts committee popped by last night and sang in our back yard. They sang a number of worship songs, like caroling in spring. My Dad was touched by the opportunity to worship with some people from his faith community. There's nothing like a cello playing in the great outdoors.
This has been a tough week. Dad has weakened but is still enjoying time with his family (especially his grandkids). When I arrived last night, there was Stephen snuggled up with Dad, sound asleep. It was so cute! Grandma and Grandpa Reimer arrived last night and Dad's older brother John and his wife Hilda arrived this morning. It's great to have family close at hand. Uncle John and Grandpa worked on the yard this afternoon and it looks spectacular!
Mom and I don't really know what to say in this update. Last night as we read and prayed with Dad, we read Lamentations 3:22-27. We were blown away by their simple statement of the sovereignty and love of God. He has a plan for us and it has been crafted with the utmost love and care.
Janice and Ev
Lamentations 3:22-27 (The Message)
22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.
25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Greetings from the Falk family! We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support of so many people. Thank you for everything you've given and for all your prayers and encouragement. We are grateful for the gifts of food many have given us today to help with the company. Many from the worship arts committee popped by last night and sang in our back yard. They sang a number of worship songs, like caroling in spring. My Dad was touched by the opportunity to worship with some people from his faith community. There's nothing like a cello playing in the great outdoors.
This has been a tough week. Dad has weakened but is still enjoying time with his family (especially his grandkids). When I arrived last night, there was Stephen snuggled up with Dad, sound asleep. It was so cute! Grandma and Grandpa Reimer arrived last night and Dad's older brother John and his wife Hilda arrived this morning. It's great to have family close at hand. Uncle John and Grandpa worked on the yard this afternoon and it looks spectacular!
Mom and I don't really know what to say in this update. Last night as we read and prayed with Dad, we read Lamentations 3:22-27. We were blown away by their simple statement of the sovereignty and love of God. He has a plan for us and it has been crafted with the utmost love and care.
Janice and Ev
Lamentations 3:22-27 (The Message)
22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.
25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Saturday, May 10, 2008
There's no place like home...
Hi everyone, this is George writing – something that hasn’t happened for a long while. It feels great to be home. We almost immediately had our first crisis. My feeding tube came out. I had been saying for several days that it did not feel right, particularly with the stitching gone. So that means we need to await surgery. In the meantime, Ev has been pushing food on me like crazy!
George is done, so this is Ev writing now. I now read labels to find high calorie foods and stay away from the tasteless low fat fare.
George has already had a nice look at his yard. So refreshing. It was cool outside today but the temperatures are going to be rising this weekend and we will no doubt be outside. Today George was very tired from the activities of yesterday so we have had a quiet sleepy day. Peter (George’s bro) even joined in the rest fest. He came over to visit George this afternoon and enjoy the massage chair. I went to the kitchen to get coffee and some cookies and when I returned it was very quiet and they were both sleeping.
Well that's about it. Bye for now.
George and Ev
George is done, so this is Ev writing now. I now read labels to find high calorie foods and stay away from the tasteless low fat fare.
George has already had a nice look at his yard. So refreshing. It was cool outside today but the temperatures are going to be rising this weekend and we will no doubt be outside. Today George was very tired from the activities of yesterday so we have had a quiet sleepy day. Peter (George’s bro) even joined in the rest fest. He came over to visit George this afternoon and enjoy the massage chair. I went to the kitchen to get coffee and some cookies and when I returned it was very quiet and they were both sleeping.
Well that's about it. Bye for now.
George and Ev
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Discharged!
Hello everybody,
A lot has happened over the last 2 days. First, we decided that we would end chemo therapy. This was done in consultation with our doctors, who both support our decision to do so. The amount of pain and fatigue has made any hope of the extra month or two that chemo therapy could add just not worth it. We also continue to believe that God has a healing in store for George. And even the doctors agree that faith is what is so important at this point. So that really assisted us in coming to our decision to end chemo.
The next major piece of news is that meant that we would be transfered from the Pasqua hospital to Moose Jaw's hospital. But there didn't seem to be much of a point to remaining in a hospital when home care could do what I need. So this morning, Ev made inquiries with the various doctors, in Moose Jaw and here, about being transfered straight home and having home care take care of our needs. And after some discussion, it was agreed by all that it was a great plan. Most of my meds, I take orally except for my feed which happens intermittently during the day. It is at a much higher dose than it was before when we were at home. So it will have to happen through a gravity IV rather than through a syringe.
So that is our big piece of exciting news. We should be home some time tomorrow. And we are looking forward to seeing our yard, sleeping in our own bed, being able to do short walks, and seeing our grandkids!
Please pray for a speedy adjustment to the change for George's body.
Ev and George
jl
A lot has happened over the last 2 days. First, we decided that we would end chemo therapy. This was done in consultation with our doctors, who both support our decision to do so. The amount of pain and fatigue has made any hope of the extra month or two that chemo therapy could add just not worth it. We also continue to believe that God has a healing in store for George. And even the doctors agree that faith is what is so important at this point. So that really assisted us in coming to our decision to end chemo.
The next major piece of news is that meant that we would be transfered from the Pasqua hospital to Moose Jaw's hospital. But there didn't seem to be much of a point to remaining in a hospital when home care could do what I need. So this morning, Ev made inquiries with the various doctors, in Moose Jaw and here, about being transfered straight home and having home care take care of our needs. And after some discussion, it was agreed by all that it was a great plan. Most of my meds, I take orally except for my feed which happens intermittently during the day. It is at a much higher dose than it was before when we were at home. So it will have to happen through a gravity IV rather than through a syringe.
So that is our big piece of exciting news. We should be home some time tomorrow. And we are looking forward to seeing our yard, sleeping in our own bed, being able to do short walks, and seeing our grandkids!
Please pray for a speedy adjustment to the change for George's body.
Ev and George
jl
Sprinkling Gifts
Dear family and friends:
George and Ev and I were talking about their yard, etc., and we concluded that a sprinkler system would really help reduce work, stress, etc. for George and Ev. So I sent out an e-mail here asking for volunteers to help me dig it in this Saturday.
I just received a telephone call from an individual who had received this request for help, and he has hired a contractor to supply and install the entire system!
So, aside from this generosity, and the generosity of others, it appears that, over and above the $16,000.00 that we have in the bank account, an additonal $5,000.00 has come in via money and gifts.
Wow!
As I think you all know, George is not going back on chemo. It is too hard
on his system.
Have a good day!
Peter
George and Ev and I were talking about their yard, etc., and we concluded that a sprinkler system would really help reduce work, stress, etc. for George and Ev. So I sent out an e-mail here asking for volunteers to help me dig it in this Saturday.
I just received a telephone call from an individual who had received this request for help, and he has hired a contractor to supply and install the entire system!
So, aside from this generosity, and the generosity of others, it appears that, over and above the $16,000.00 that we have in the bank account, an additonal $5,000.00 has come in via money and gifts.
Wow!
As I think you all know, George is not going back on chemo. It is too hard
on his system.
Have a good day!
Peter
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A New Dress Code!
Hi everyone (we hope),
We've heard that the email has decided to drop people off the list so we've used an older list, hopping to have everybody included. Here is an update.
As you know, George is in the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, undergoing chemo therapy. Due to some difficulties with his kidneys, the doctor has decided to stop chemo for about a week. His kidneys are now responding in a healthy way and they are hoping to start chemo again on Monday or Tuesday.
In the meantime, he picked up one of the hospital super-bugs, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE, for short). The primary concern with VRE is diarrhea. Because of this, he has been moved to a private room. Some people will do anything for a little privacy. He is in isolation so if you would like to visit him, be aware of the safety precautions set up for him. You shall wear a lovely yellow gown and matching gloves and put all your belongings in a beautiful transparent handbag. All of these accessories are provided, free of charge, by the hospital.
George is tired but is taking each day as it comes. He is enjoying daily visits with Ev and Janice, who lives ridiculously close by. Tonight we watched an episode of Survivor together. It's like a major sporting event replacement for our family.
Thanks for reading,
Ev and Janice
We've heard that the email has decided to drop people off the list so we've used an older list, hopping to have everybody included. Here is an update.
As you know, George is in the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, undergoing chemo therapy. Due to some difficulties with his kidneys, the doctor has decided to stop chemo for about a week. His kidneys are now responding in a healthy way and they are hoping to start chemo again on Monday or Tuesday.
In the meantime, he picked up one of the hospital super-bugs, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE, for short). The primary concern with VRE is diarrhea. Because of this, he has been moved to a private room. Some people will do anything for a little privacy. He is in isolation so if you would like to visit him, be aware of the safety precautions set up for him. You shall wear a lovely yellow gown and matching gloves and put all your belongings in a beautiful transparent handbag. All of these accessories are provided, free of charge, by the hospital.
George is tired but is taking each day as it comes. He is enjoying daily visits with Ev and Janice, who lives ridiculously close by. Tonight we watched an episode of Survivor together. It's like a major sporting event replacement for our family.
Thanks for reading,
Ev and Janice
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Day 11 of Chemo!
Hi family and friends
It's been a week since we last updated you on how George is doing so it is high time for another.
It is day 11 of George's 21 day cycle of Chemotherapy. Ten more days to go. (No hair loss yet) Round 2 will begin right away after that. Perhaps he may be able to go home for it. The treatment is causing him to be very fatigue and nauseated. It is important to keep his body moving so he walks the ward as often as his nausea will let him (5 or 6 times a day). They have also put his tube feed back on a pump so he gets nourishment around the clock as he is not able to eat enough food.
George does like to see people and if you you don't mind him snoozing during your visit you can visit longer with him.
The only bears that George has the strength to fight are those in his dreams. He may be weary physically but feels very encouraged in his spirit and continues to cling to the promises in God's Word.
George and I would also like to thank you who have given money to us to help with expenses and for those who attended the fundraising supper and helped with it. We are truly astonished and humbled by your love and generosity. A day does not go by that we have not received a card , note of encouragement, email or phone call and that has meant so much to us. We are so fortunate to have you all caring and praying: our family, community of faith , community of work, and the community of Moose Jaw and many beyond.
Ev and George Falk
It's been a week since we last updated you on how George is doing so it is high time for another.
It is day 11 of George's 21 day cycle of Chemotherapy. Ten more days to go. (No hair loss yet) Round 2 will begin right away after that. Perhaps he may be able to go home for it. The treatment is causing him to be very fatigue and nauseated. It is important to keep his body moving so he walks the ward as often as his nausea will let him (5 or 6 times a day). They have also put his tube feed back on a pump so he gets nourishment around the clock as he is not able to eat enough food.
George does like to see people and if you you don't mind him snoozing during your visit you can visit longer with him.
The only bears that George has the strength to fight are those in his dreams. He may be weary physically but feels very encouraged in his spirit and continues to cling to the promises in God's Word.
George and I would also like to thank you who have given money to us to help with expenses and for those who attended the fundraising supper and helped with it. We are truly astonished and humbled by your love and generosity. A day does not go by that we have not received a card , note of encouragement, email or phone call and that has meant so much to us. We are so fortunate to have you all caring and praying: our family, community of faith , community of work, and the community of Moose Jaw and many beyond.
Ev and George Falk
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Here it is!
Hi everyone. We've heard through the grapevine that the email updates aren't consistently reaching everyone. We've decided to post them here, in addition to sending them out just in case you get left out of the loop. I (Janice) have never used a blog site before so this is all new to me. It will be updated mostly by me and you are free to email your comments and suggestions about the blog to me. It is late tonight so I won't add any new information now. I will update you on dad's health and the numbers from the fundraiser tomorrow. For now, good night!
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