REVEREND HENRY GEORGE REMPEL

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REVEREND HENRY GEORGE REMPEL December 3, 1908 - July 23, 2008 Rev. Henry Rempel passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23 at Grace Hospice, Winnipeg. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 74 years, Amanda (Schultz); daughters, Shirley Penner (Don McLean) of Calgary, Faith (Art) Reimer of Winnipeg and Joyce (Marvin) Warman of Burbank, CA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Tricia Penner (Doug Thiessen), Patrick Penner (Karin Harper), Kelly Reimer (Nancy Janelle), Kent Reimer (fiancée Melanie Perkins), all of Winnipeg; Michelle (Jeep) Jensen, Marcianne (Tim) Wendling, Maria Warman, all of California, Kelly McLean (Scott Kirbis) of Brandon and Curtis McLean of Calgary and by his great-grandchildren, Brett and Alexa Thiessen, Brynn and Cole Penner, Mackenzie and Trey Jensen, Jackson, Harrison, Aubrey and Lucy Wendling. Also surviving him are his sisters, Anna Ens and Stella Dueck and sisters and brothers-in-law, Grace Nickel, Ruby and Sam Wiens and Menno Mandtler. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Aganetha Rempel; siblings, George, Nettie, Mary, Peter, Helen, Katie and Susie; his parents-in-law, Rev. Jacob and Anna Schultz and numerous in-laws. Rev. Rempel was born on his parents' homestead near Hague, SK, the eighth of 10 children. He received his primary and secondary education in rural schools and graduated from the Mennonite Brethern Bible College Seminary, Hepburn SK with post-graduate work by correspondence at Northwest Baptist Seminary, Chicago. He was a Life Member of the Evangelical Free Church of America Ministerial. In 1992, he was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. Henry and Amanda met in church where they both sang in the choir. They were asked to sing a duet and that developed into their lifetime commitment to each other. They were married September 23, 1934 in a country church north of Dalmeny, SK settling in the new little bungalow Henry had built on his farm. During the ensuing years, he combined farming and college studies while beginning work in the ministry which became their life-long calling. Throughout their decades of ministry, Henry and Amanda were involved in pastoring churches in Dalmeny, SK and Steinbach, MB; in education at Tabor Bible School, Dalmeny (principal/teacher), Ukrainian Bible School, Saskatoon, Steinbach Bible School, Evangelical Free Bible School Seminary, Germany (principal/teacher); radio ministry; interim pastoral and conference ministry. They always sang together and produced recordings in both English and German. Rev. Rempel will be remembered as a man of intellect, strength, character and kindness with a great sense of humour and a strong work ethic. He was the Patriarch of his family, a man of deep faith, dedicated to God, his family and to those whose lives he touched by his ministry. He devoted his life to serving others and enriched the lives of those he came in contact with. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers at Riverview Health Centre and at Grace Hospice, Drs. Coodin, Garcia and Hartley, Monique (WRHA Palliative Care), Pastor Jim Barber (Grace Bible Church), Lorne Everett (Congregational Care Minister, Winnipeg Evangelical Free Church) and all the friends and neighbours who have provided such loving care to Henry, Amanda and the family during the past months. A celebration of Rev. Rempel's life will take place at Grant Memorial Baptist Church, 877 Wilkes Ave. on Saturday, August 2 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at Thomson In the Park , 1291 McGillivray on Friday, August 1, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Donations may be made to Grace Hospice, 260 Booth Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3R5 or to Riverview Health Centre Foundation, 1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 2P4. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Send expressions of sympathy to www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2008