Aganetha Kehler

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AGANETHA (AGNES) MARTENS KEHLER

Aganetha (Agnes) Martens Kehler passed away in the early morning of September 25, 2015, at the Bethesda Hospital. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 65 years, Abram, and seven children. She was born on June 10, 1926, the youngest daughter of Cornelius and Maria Martens. Mom and Dad were married on November 5, 1950, and had eight children: Alan (Carla) Kehler and their family: Katherine, Elisabeth, and Olivia; Laura (Strom) Kroeker (Harry) and her children: Analise (Paul) Brocklesby: Parker and Ayla; Erik Strom, Kristine Strom, and Michael Strom; Walter Kehler; Mary Kehler (Harold) Giesbrecht, with their family: Heather (Darryl) Enns: Mckenzie, Dylan, Quinlan, and Ryenne; Jaynee (Wes) Weiss: Ryder, Mack, and Jones; Amanda (Jason) Plant: Cooper, Layla, Rowan, and Jessa; and Donavon (Ashley) Giesbrecht: Arlo, and Noa; Kathy (Mel) Buhler and their family: Ryan (Amy) Buhler: Macie and Brielle; and Linnea (Brad) DeVries. Kenneth Franz (deceased September, 2006), (Kate) Kehler: Maeve and Cedey; Carol Kehler; Joyce Kehler (Brian) Hildebrand and their family: Arianna, Jane, Micah and Sam.

In many ways Mom was the Proverbs 31 woman. We never had to worry if there would be food at meal time. Many a time we remember coming home from school to the smell of fresh baked buns. She had a large garden. Food was gathered and preserved. We never had to worry about the winter cold. There were always good warm clothes for us to wear. She loved thunderstorms. Many times in her younger years, she would wake us up at night to enjoy a good storm with her. She frowned on having a TV in the house, but made sure there were good books and other activities to do. Mom reduced, re-used and recycled long before it became trendy.

We have a family joke that people are often portrayed as impossibly perfect after their death. Mom was not perfect. The heavy work load of life on the farm and raising eight imperfect children took its toll. We (her children) have marvelled at the incredible woman she has become and are so grateful to have been given the time to watch so much redemption and continued rebirth. She was gracious, loving, forgiving, faithful, always looking for the good, and comfortable and fun to be with. Years ago she had an encounter with God. She was alone in the thrift store (volunteering) when she heard a voice telling her "You are forgiven. You are my child." She had a peace with herself and her loving God that carried her and us to her very last day.

In 1987, Mom and Dad sold the farm at Blumengard to move to Steinbach where Mom began a very happy chapter in her life. She carried on her habit of daily walks that had begun on the farm in the 1970's, and became known to many in Steinbach as "the walking lady". She joined the church choir. She continued to grow a big garden and was known to shoot a rabbit or two that insisted on eating what wasn't theirs. Mom and Dad loved going on many trips. At the age of 60 she started piano lessons. She spent many hours at the MCC thrift shop, where she made very good friends while sewing denim blankets and cutting jean patches. She liked to keep track of how many she sold because it gave her joy to know she was making a difference. Every morning Mom and Dad read The Daily Bread together before breakfast and Mom daily prayed for each member of their family by name.

Mom opened up her home to people. She poured love on her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. They all loved spending time with her. We remember the laughter, fun, food, puzzles and games. Mom had a great laugh and a terrific sense of humour.

Dad was admitted to the hospital in January of 2015. Mom visited him every day, never complaining. She carried on cooking, gardening, baking, and volunteering. She admitted to being more tired than usual. Her outdoor walks became laps around the dining room table. We were amazed by all she could do at "just" 89 years old and often joked that "someday soon", Mom would begin to "act her age". On August 19, she was diagnosed with cancer and admitted to the hospital. Her room was a place of peace. The warm, caring, gentle and capable staff at Bethesda loved room 113 where Mom rested peacefully offering gentle smiles and gratitude. She enjoyed her visitors, and had a sweet, uncomplaining spirit. Her smile was so beautiful. Even in her last weeks, she was interested in life, offering suggestions on the continuing harvest of her garden, and enjoying her harmonica and many games of Skip-Bo with friends and family.

Our mother left a legacy.

We will miss her very much.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., with a devotional at 7:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., and also at the church prior to the funeral service.

The funeral will be held on Friday, October 2, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, with interment at Blumengard Cemetery.

Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Sep 29, 2015