WITHOLT (WHEATS) EMIL WERMANN

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WITHOLT (WHEATS) EMIL WERMANN

August 22, 1949 - August 7, 2025

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our dad, opa, brother, uncle, and friend. With his family by his side, he died with dignity at St. Boniface Hospital.

He leaves to mourn his son Wesley (Chantal), daughter Monica (Georgie), brother Fritz (Helga), brother-in-law Olaf (Wendy), grandchildren, Ethan, Austin, Benjamin, Edison and Isla, nieces and nephews, Sonja, Daniel, Erik, Paul and Angela, long-time friends, Gunter (Butch) and Marion Kuklik and his late wife, Astrid’s family in Germany.

Wheats was born in Holtum Geest, Germany and immigrated to Canada with his family in January 1953, with their journey ending at his mom Alice’s uncle’s farm in Beausejour, in the dead of winter. As a child he spent his summers with his brother riding their bikes everywhere, trying to stay out of trouble. There was many a time his brother would wheel him in the wagon to the Grace Hospital for various injuries. His time was also spent fishing and camping with his parents and brother, and a highlight was always the annual camping trip to Falcon Lake. He also enjoyed Scouts and the various adventures that would take him on, including two epic canoe trips. He finished his schooling at West Kildonan Collegiate, where he became best friends with Olaf, through whom he met Astrid (Olaf’s sister) who became the love of his life, and wife.

Not only did he play hard, but he also worked hard. After receiving his diploma in Civil Technology from Red River College, he worked as a maintenance manager at various places such as Winpak, Reliance, Boeing, and Westeel among others. He was the one family and friends would call upon for help with anything around the house. He could fix and build anything. He would be the first to help, and last to leave. He coached his children in sports and guided Monica’s soccer teams to much success including representing Manitoba at the Nationals in Prince Edward Island in 1995. He was a selfless, patient and kind man, so naturally he made the best coach and leader. It seemed there was nothing he couldn’t do, at least in his children’s eyes. He enjoyed fishing with Wesley and helping him with home repairs once he grew and had his own family. He always had time to play catch or hockey with Monica, who remembers spending many Saturday afternoons skating with her dad.

His hard and physical work took a toll on his body, and he suffered in pain for many years. But that would not stop him from lending a hand, as he continued to be there for all of us. It was not until the last two and a half years when his health really declined. He surely suffered, but even on his last days, he was surprised to hear how sick he was. He was the provider, a strong and stubborn man who endured more than many, but you would not know it. It was his strength and determination that allowed him to endure all that he had in recent years. He cared for his wife, Astrid, in all her years of sickness and was the best father through it all. He was the strong one, our rock, our hero. The one everyone turned to for guidance. Dad, you have left a huge hole in our hearts, and are missed so much already, but the memories are plentiful. We are so lucky to have had you as our father, and we will continue on in our lives with all that you have instilled in us and continue to make you proud.

The family would like to thank the many people who allowed us to have the last two and a half years with our dad and opa: Dr. Hong and the ICCS team, all of the respiratory therapists at St. Boniface Hospital (SBH), Sharmini and Lana and all of his home care workers, and lastly Dr. Brudney and Mary-Ann who cared for him in ICMS at SBH on his last days. Your kindness and care will never be forgotten and made this sad time in our lives a little easier to bear. A special and heartfelt thank you to Justin Neufeld and his colleagues on the Spiritual Care team at SBH who were there for our dad on his many hospital admissions, when we couldn’t be.

Following cremation, there will be a small service with interment at Elmwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations made to Crohn's & Colitis Canada or St. Boniface Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

Dad, you are now with mom, 

an angel in the sky that we will continue to turn to for help and guidance.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2025