Abe G. Kehler

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ABE G. KEHLER

Abe G. Kehler passed away on October 21, 2015, at the Vita Hospital. He was predeceased by his spouse Agnes on September 25, 2015, by his son Kenneth Franz in September of 2006, and is survived by seven children and their families.

He was born on June 7, 1922, the oldest son of Franz and Katarina Kehler. Our Dad married our Mom on November 5, 1950, and they 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, Noa, and Emry; 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.

Our father lived a full life. He was always responsible. He tells how as a young boy he needed to till his father’s fields with horses. He loved school, but domestic responsibilities took over after grade 7, and one of his life-long regrets was not having completed a formal education. He married well at 28 years of age, and treasured Agnes for almost 65 years.

The first years on the Silberfeld farm were hard, and money was scarce. His turning point came in 1963, when he bought his uncle Martin Kehler’s 160 acre farm in Blumengard. He shifted to hogs, doing so well that he joked “pig manure does not smell.”

In 1963, Mom and Dad started a rich tradition of taking the family to Clear Lake for a weekend every fall. We celebrated many Thanksgivings there. We spent two days every year walking in the marsh, enjoying treasure hunts along the beach, eating wholesome food, playing games, and laughing.

He encouraged his children to stay in school, often in spite of local values. When his oldest graduated from high school, he and Mom offered that if Alan went to Bible School for one year, they would pay for it. He maintained that offer for all his children. It opened doors, windows, and vistas, which frightened them at times, but over time was digested into a rich tapestry of perspectives.

Dad always seemed to be a leader. In the Silberfeld Chortitzer Church, he was ordained as a deacon, and served regularly on church committees. An enduring memory is Dad ending the service with the benediction: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Dad served widely. He was on the local school board. He became an agent for Manitoba Mennonite Mutual Insurance, and served as their President from 1968 through 1989. He was a founding member of the Steinbach Steam Club. Mom and Dad were faithful volunteers at the MCC Thrift Shop, and Mom would joke that Dad was busier in retirement than he had been as a farmer.

Their retirement years were rich. Their home became a haven of peace. Mom and Dad purchased a camper van, and crisscrossed Canada and the US. They travelled internationally, including a 1987 trip to Ethiopia, Kenya, and Israel. Dad had often wanted to visit friends and relatives in Paraguay and Bolivia, and Mom finally convinced Dad to go with his good friend, Rev C Ginter.

We will remember our Dad as a discrete, disciplined, and wise man of impeccable integrity. There is a wall plaque in our parents’ home that says: “Broadminded: When Both Sides of an Argument Make You Laugh.” Dad lived that. A man of few words, he had an unerring way of injecting quiet, concise, and incisive comments. I’ve been astonished at the warmth and respect for our father in our extended family, his long time childhood friends, and among church, business, civic and education leaders.

In May 2007, Dad had a stroke. This, and spinal stenosis, started a long slow decline in his memory, reasoning, and mobility. He insisted on maintaining his abilities, saying, “Use it or lose it.” His hospital days were difficult. His release came on Wednesday morning, after several days where Dad uncharacteristically would reach out to hold our hands. We like to think he was saying goodbye.

We will miss our father, but he gave us an incalculable inheritance. We hope to stand on his broad shoulders and live wisely, with discretion, discipline, and integrity.

We thank God for the life of Mr. Abe G. Kehler.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Bothwell Christian Fellowship, New Bothwell, MB, with burial at the Blumengard Cemetery.

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

As published in The Carillon on Oct 26, 2015