Ted Goossen

Theodore “Ted” Goossen

September 7, 1948 – March 31, 2019

Theodore (Ted) Jacob Goossen was born on September 7, 1948, in Winkler, Manitoba, the son of Jacob and Helen (Braun) Goossen. The second of their seven children, Ted grew up on the family farm near Manitou, where he quickly grew to love agricultural life. When he was five years old, he accepted Jesus Christ as his saviour with the help of his mother. He faithfully attended Manitou Mennonite Brethren (MB) Church with his family and graduated from Nellie McClung Collegiate in Manitou in 1966.

After high school, Ted attended Winkler Bible Institute, during which time he was baptized. He also met fellow student Mary Dueck of Newton, Man. Ted eventually won her heart, and they married in 1971 after Ted had completed a BA in Geography at the University of Manitoba. Despite his love of farming, Ted became convinced of God’s call to ministry, and he began an MDiv at Winnipeg Theological Seminary (now Providence College) in 1973. His first full-time ministry work was as director of Winkler Bible Camp, where he and Mary moved after his graduation in 1975. All four of their children were born during their time in Winkler: Jonathan in 1975, Jodine in 1976, Joshua in 1979, and Sara in 1982.

Ted was ordained to the ministry in Winkler MB Church in 1983, and in 1985, he felt called by God to take a joint position as pastor of Grace Church and director of Simonhouse Bible Camp in Cranberry Portage, Man. He worked faithfully in both roles until 1996, when he resigned from the church to direct Simonhouse full-time. Soon after, Ted felt called back into church ministry, and in 1999, he returned to Winkler to become associate pastor of the church that had ordained him. Their son Joshua died tragically in 2001, and in 2002, Ted resigned from the church. He then fulfilled a life-long dream by working for two years as a long-haul trucker. Even on the road, though, ministry was never far from his heart, and in 2005, he returned to northern Manitoba to become pastor of Thompson Christian Centre Fellowship.

After ten years in Thompson, Mary convinced Ted it was time to retire, and they moved to Saskatoon in 2015 to be near their children’s growing families. Despite his initial reluctance, Ted soon threw himself into retirement with as much energy as he had given to his work. He thoroughly enjoyed three full years of playing with his grandchildren, cycling, and pickleball-playing, along with serving as church usher, guest preacher, and hospice volunteer. Then, after several months of troubling symptoms, Ted was diagnosed at the end of January, 2019, with metastic cancer in his brain and spine. His decline was swift, and he passed away peacefully at home on March 31, 2019.

Throughout his life – in youth, through forty years of ministry, and into his brief retirement – Ted’s exuberance, energy, and love for both people and his Lord had a profound effect on all who knew him. He leaves to mourn his wife Mary; son Jonathan with his wife Cindy and four children; daughter Jodine (Siebert) with her husband Kimbal and six children; and daughter Sara (Stobbe) with her husband David and four children. We commit Ted into the hands of the merciful Lord Jesus Christ whom he served with his whole life.

The family wishes to thank the many people who have provided care, meals, rides, and support of every sort during Ted’s illness and death. May God bless you for your kindness to him and to us.

Viewing will be at Riverbend Church of God, 306 Saguenay Dr, Saskatoon, SK, on Thursday, April 4, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. The Funeral Service for Ted Goossen will be held Friday, April 5, at 1:00 pm at Forest Grove Community Church, 502 Webster Street, Saskatoon, SK with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Donations may be made to Simonhouse Bible Camp, 206 – 35 Main Street, Flin Flon, MB R8A 1J7. Flowers may be sent to the Riverbend Church of God. Arrangements by DALMENY FUNERAL HOME (306-254-2022).

To view Ted’s funeral, visit  https://www.facebook.com/ted.goossen/videos/10157507370323623/