ARNOLD OTTENBREIT

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ARNOLD OTTENBREIT

January 7, 1934 - December 10, 2023

Arnold Ottenbreit passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Charlene (née Fellner); their four sons, Brian (Mariette Mulaire), Barrie (Cindy Gibson), Colin (Denise Préfontaine) and Kirby (Lisa); and grandchildren, Yanik Ottenbreit (Rebecca Lang), Zoé Préfontaine, Nikolas Ottenbreit, Manon Ottenbreit, Luc Ottenbreit and Grayson Ottenbreit. He also leaves to mourn his sisters-in-law, Maureen Ottenbreit of Regina, Mary Ottenbreit of Medicine Hat and Valerie Ottenbreit of Denver, and many nieces and nephews. Arnie was predeceased by his brothers, Frank, Wilf and Harry

Arnie was born on the family homestead near Grayson, SK, the third of four sons born to John and Julia (Huber) Ottenbreit. After moving to Regina, the young family had to deal with the unfortunate and crushing death of their father when Arnie was only nine years old. The four boys pulled together to support their mother. Arnie’s boyhood years included regular after-school work to support the family, from incredibly long paper routes, to frequent stints as a ‘pin boy’ at the local bowling alley, to delivering milk by horse and buggy. It was during these early teenage years that he met Charlene and they began their 72 year shared journey of love, partnership and family.
Arnie enjoyed a long career in the federal civil service with Canada Employment and Immigration, retiring as a senior manager in 1992. His success through the years rested not only on a lifelong commitment to service, which extended to all areas of his life, but also his innate ability to accept people and situations without judgement.
Arnie retired at the young age of 58 and put his energy into many volunteering activities. These included service positions with the Knights of Columbus, making meals at Jocelyn House, chauffeuring people to church, counting the Sunday mass collection (which he actually did for 50 years), and volunteering to prepare tax returns for those who needed assistance. Much like his rise through the Federal Service, Arnie naturally gravitated to positions of leadership. With his calming and astute demeanour, “The Friendly Giant” made others feel at ease.
Sports were a large part of his life starting at an early age. His natural athleticism was evident in all sports in which he participated, including hockey, football, baseball but basketball was where he excelled, at both the high school and university level as a player and later as a coach. He played competitive senior men’s basketball into his 50s. Upon retiring he took up golf again, a passion he had put on hold while raising a family.
Arnie was a great role model for his sons and grandchildren. Through his example, he taught us how to be kind, respectful, humble, to listen, but above all how to love and the importance of family, which was central to his life. He was always supportive of all our endeavours whether it be at school, work, sports or other interests.
The family wishes to thank the Homecare staff and the palliative care team who looked after him so well during the past year.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Christ the King Church, 847 St. Mary’s Road in Winnipeg. A reception will follow in the church hall to which all are invited to attend. A private interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 16, 2023