Rev. John Rempel

1925 – 2005

John was born on July 27, 1925 in Neuenburg to Peter C. and Susanna (nee Friesen) Rempel. He grew up in Neuenburg, attending school until Grade 8, and then was needed to stay at home to help his father farm. He was baptized on June 11, 1946 on confession of his faith. On July 27, 1947 he married Anne Krahn. The couple briefly lived in Winkler where Shirley was born and then moved back to Neuenburg where they farmed and worked in the Black Smith Shop with his father. Ed and Vic were both born in Neuenburg. The family moved back to Winkler in 1959 where Chester was born in 1961. Dad worked at B.A. Garage for Gordon Kehler and then Kroeker Motors. Dad worked numerous jobs: Coop Hardware, Our Home, driving school bus, street sweeping for the town, took care of apartments, Gateway Resources, etc. Serving others was important to him and one place he enjoyed was as a volunteer fireman. He was elected to the ministry on June 19, 1967, ordained on Feb 04, 1968 and continued to serve for 27 years until his health forced him to retire in 1995.

Dad’s first wife passed away on March 17, 1978 from cancer. Dad remarried on July 15, 1978 to Anne Neufeld who brought 4 children into the family. They celebrated their 25 Wedding Anniversary in 2003. Dad was diagnosed with sugar diabetes shortly after his second marriage, resulting in further health complications, such as a stroke in 2001. For the past 3 years there has been many health struggles leading to his heart attack on Monday, June 06, 2005.

On Monday, June 13, 2005 at the Boundary Trails Health Centre, John Rempel aged 79 of Winkler, MB went to his eternal rest.

He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife Anne (nee Elias) of Winkler. 3 daughters, Shirley Stobbe of Regina, Joanne and Pete Peters of Neepawa, Mary and Grant Fisher Smith of Wpg., 5 sons, Ed and Barb Rempel, Vic and Grace Rempel and Pete and Bev Neufeld all of Winkler, Chester and Sherri Rempel of Penticton, BC and Jake and Ruth Neufeld of Dufresne, MB, 17 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and 2 brothers Henry and Jake Rempel.

He was predeceased by his first wife Anne, March 17, 1978 and 2 granddaughters; Rebecca Susanne Peters Oct 01, 1985 and Michelle Joy Rempel Feb 18, 2000.

If friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of John Rempel to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 102-310 Broadway Winnipeg, MB R3C OS6.

Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.