Darlene Knight (Roth) Celebrating 60!

Dar recently celebrated her 60th birthday party which came as a complete surprise to her. She is now entering her golden years and since she has now retired, will have plenty of time for her first love-reading (after me, [Pete] of course). Interacting with her grandkids is another of her passions.
We wish her well.

Darlene, Cindy, Leslie, & Jeannette

Announcing Baby Roth

Hunter Eric George Roth
Born December 9, 2009
7 lbs 6.4 oz
20 inches
5:07 a.m.
in Calgary Foothills hospital, healthy and well to surrogate mom/grandma Bonnie Soanes, and proud parents Geoff and Amanda Roth, as well as Leslie and Diana Roth. A miracle Christmas present...




Behind the Name: Hunter Eric-George Roth (Hunter was chosen by Geoff and we all love the name, Eric is short for Erickson which is on mom's side of the family... George is from Diana's dad).

Miracle Baby--Arriving Soon!

Yes, a miracle is underway in the Gomke family...Geoff and Amanda Roth are 'expecting' their first child December 9th, but not the conventional way. It has been a long time in the waiting with many heartaches and rollercoaster emotions along the way...but at last, with great joy and excitement, Baby Roth is due to arrive. What is the miracle you wonder?....Here is Amanda's story...

"At 17yrs old I found out that I was born without a uterus. Kids have always been my passion so this news was devastating. When Geoff and I met we knew that adoption was the only route, we also knew it would take a long time. So we started as soon as we got married. We are still waiting. After I switched family doctors, an opportunity arose. My doctor told me that I still had eggs and she encouraged Geoff and I to check out the fertility clinic in Calgary for a chance at having a surrogate. After one unsuccessful attempt and myself being sick for over a year following the egg retrieval, WE ARE HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS WORKED AND WE ARE EXPECTING OUR LITTLE FARMER MAN on Dec 9, 2009, and...my mom is the surrogate mother to our baby! Grandma Roth was able to see the very first ultrasound picture of baby Roth and was so excited to see baby. Geoff and I are so happy that she was able to see the picture and hear the news."


p.s. Geoff and Amanda have returned from a pre-baby trip to Cuba, as they prepare for parenthood. Perhaps they will send Amanda's mom after the baby?!! We all wish them the very best on the arrival of their miracle baby!!

Harvest Drag Racing

Leslie & Geoff Roth (father & son) doing the 'harvest drag race' down the swath--with Diana and Amanda on the sidelines cheering them on!

(Looks like the John Deere is winning?!)

This photo shows all the dust--a dry 2009 harvest in the Schuler, Alberta area.

Harvest 2009

Ross, Cindy, Colin, & Jamie Straub, with Summer, the newest addition to the Straub family, in the wheat field of a bumper crop. (Hilda, AB, 2009).

Recent Babies...

Summer Rayne Straub

March 16, 2009

Born to Colin and Jamie Straub

*great granddaughter to Olga (nee Gomke) and Albert Roth

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Tripp Dawson Warburton

October 24, 2008

Born to Jolene and Trevor Warburton

and big sister, Tenley Dae Warburton

*great grandchild to Evelyn (nee Gomke) and Bill Treiber

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Kora Maya Kurpjuweit

June 27, 2008

Born to Alanna and Kurtis Kurpjuweit

& big brother, Merrick Kurpjuweit

*great grandchild to Olga (nee Gomke) and Albert Roth

May Wedding

Jacquiline and Sam Willcocks

Married May 2, 2009

*Jacqui is granddaughter to Evelyn (nee Gomke) and Bill Treiber

Another Summer Wedding

Bryce Jans and Laura Furseth

were married on August 29, 2009

at Medicine Hat, AB

*Bryce is grandson to Evelyn (nee Gomke) and Bill Treiber



Jacqui (cousin to groom) and Jolene (sister to groom)

Wedding--Kendra Straub & Justin Jensen

Kendra Straub and Justin Jensen--married on Sat. Aug. 1, 2009, in Lethbridge, AB.

Parents of the bride--Ross & Cindy Straub.

First Reunion Meeting

Greg and Pam met for a breakfast meeting in July to begin the planning process for the Gomke Reunion. Greg was 'on call' for his job with the City of Calgary tactical duties...so the truck with the guns and equipment had to be in full view during the meeting...guarded, and ready to go in a moment's notice. Luckily there were no pressing crimes to interrupt our productive session! :-)

A preliminary schedule of the July 2, 3, & 4th weekend was created, and a discussion of some initial ideas of what to include--both traditional and new events. The aim is to make this an appealing event for the younger members, but a memorable time for all Gomke descendants. Suggestions/ideas or volunteering from any members are welcome at this stage in the planning (please send to pamzollner@hotmail.com).

The Plan so far (still a work in progress)...

Friday, July 2--Registration / set-up camp

Saturday, July 3--Carnival--for kids and grown-ups! (11:00-3:00)
(games of chance, crafts, bouncy castle?, music, popcorn,
cotton candy...and more!)
--horseshoes, baseball, cards (3:00-6:00)
--the traditional Gomke Potluck for supper
--quilt display, albums/photos, souvineer items to buy
--evening program

Sunday, July 4--the traditional Gomke Breakfast (pancakes and more)
--departure

How can you help?
-Do you have a canopy/tent cover that could be used for the day (July 3)?

-Do you have any games/crafts/ideas that you are willing to prepare/set up for the carnival? (i.e. ring toss, dart balloons, bottle bowling...etc.)

-Do you have any home canning or craft item that can be included in the door prize/raffle baskets to win?

-Do you have any vintage clothing or items that might be appropriate for a 'fashion show'?

-Do you have any other suggestions/ideas/or contributions for the 2010 Gomke Reunion?

Forward to pamzollner@hotmail.com

Be sure to mark your calendar...

Looking forward to updating you for this Gomke event!

Gomke Reunion 2010--Date & Location Booked

The bi-annual Gomke Reunion is currently being planned, and ready for you to mark the date on your calendar!

The Gomke Reunion 2010 will take place on

July 2,3,4

at the Longfellow Hall near Medicine Hat.

The surveys from the most recent Gomke Reunion (2008 at Hilda, AB) indicated the Longfellow Hall as the location of majority preference. It is located East of Medicine Hat on #1 Hwy / South on Eagle Butte Road / Right on Township Rd #112 / on left hand side.

The planning committee is:

Pam Zollner
Greg & Kim Linkert
Wayne & Karen Treiber
Leon Knight

We look forward to updating you as more information becomes available. In the meantime, be sure to mark the dates--July 2, 3, & 4th, 2010 so you will be available to attend the next Gomke Reunion! Don't miss it!

The Most Recent Gomke Loss

It was with great sadness that we said goodbye to

Olga (Gomke) Roth.

Born in Hilda, Alberta April 9, 1921

Passed away in Medicine Hat, June 5, 2009

at the age of 88 years

Family was very important to Olga, and she loved nothing more than spending time with each of them including her brothers and sisters. her kind and considerate nature was also appreciated by her friends from the past and newly acquired friendships.

Olga grew up on the farm near Hilda, to Charlotte and Reinholdt Gomke. Olga being the second eldest daughter in a large family learned at a very young age the fine art of preparing delicious, wholesome meals in no time at all. Her baking was next to none.

On Nov. 16, 1942 Olga married the neighbor boy Albert Roth and they spend the next 65 years of their lives together. Working side by side for 32 of those years they built a life together successfully farming in the Schuler district and raising their family.

On their retirement to Medicine Hat, she had more time for crocheting, gardening (she truly had a green thumb), camping, fishing, some travelling and many games of cards with family and friends. The move from their home into a condo in 2003 was an adjustment by they adapted well and acquired new friends.

Their lives changed dramatically in October 2005 when Albert suffered a stroke, and needing full care, moved to the Good Samaritans. Olga with her strength of character and her natural ability to care for others, supported albert through this difficult time accepting her role with devotion and commitment that was an inspiration to her family.

After Albert's passing her inner strength to accept and continue to enjoy life was an example to those who knew her. She never missed a Blue Jays game and followed all the curling on television. She lived a full life until her recent illness. Her unwavering inner strength and courage was often relied upon by those who knew her. She will be truly missed and lovingly remembered by all her family and friends.




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I would like to dedicate my efforts to this Gomke Blog on behalf of my very special grandma who will be missed at our future gatherings...but always present in spirit.

Pam Zollner