Peter T. Kehler

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PETER T. KEHLER
January 25, 1927 - July 25, 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Peter T. Kehler on Monday, July 25, 2016 at Bethesda Place Personal Care Home, Steinbach, MB.

Dad is survived by four sons: Jack (Sally), Bryan (Myra), Gary (Ingrid), and Darryl (Irene), as well as nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Andreas and sister Anne. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth on January 22, 2010.

Dad was born on January 25, 1927 in Greenland, Manitoba, to Jacob Loeppky and Agatha (Toews) Kehler. Dad lived in Manitoba all his life, other than one year in Paraguay, and several winters while working in the Kenora lumber camps. Mom and Dad married in September of 1947. He worked in the stucco industry before venturing into farming in Tourond. Dad loved farming, both chickens and hogs, but the best part of farming for him was that he could spend every day with Mom. They were inseparable. The family enjoyed numerous fishing excursions, and the love of fishing was passed on to his sons and grandchildren. Dad retired from farming in 1986 when they moved to Steinbach, and in retirement worked with Loewen Funeral Chapel for many years. In attending funerals in many small communities in southeast Manitoba, he enjoyed meeting and visiting with new people and often marvelled at the various funeral customs he encountered. He was a member of the Chortitzer Mennonite Church and enjoyed volunteering.

Dad was always a gentleman, a man of honor and integrity, a man with a kind heart who cared more for the feelings of others than his own. He left a lasting impression on everyone he met and was a true inspiration to his family. With only boys in the family there could be many tales told. He believed that the purpose in life was to be useful, to be compassionate and to be responsible. Above all, he believed that a person needed to stand for something and be a positive influence on others. He was our very own hero.

Alzheimer’s took its toll on Dad and it was tough on everyone to first see his memory fade away, then his mobility, then his ability to speak… but there were things that even that dreadful disease could not take away from him: his smile, his love of chocolate, and his curiosity. These remaining characteristics showed through many, many times, so we always knew that Dad was hanging in there.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 29, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 West, Steinbach, MB, with the interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.

We thank everyone for the numerous acts of kindness shown to us in our loss, and we greatly appreciate all the staff at the Bethesda Personal Care home who provided fantastic care for Dad over the past four years.

As a family we are all assured that Dad has finally met up with Mom. It was a long wait for him, and now they will be together once again.

The Family

God saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered "Peace be thine."

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

As published in The Carillon on Jul 28, 2016