Guenter was born on August 9, 1937 in Tilsit, Germany to Heinrich and Melita (Krueger) Strempler. Ruth, Erwin, Kurt, and Gerry were all born there as well. Kurt died very suddenly in 1941 at the age of 9.
In October 1944 the German army was retreating from Russia and the family had to flee their home on very short notice. Their mother, along with the 4 children, left by train while their father had to stay back to “defend” the city. The family ended up on a farmyard in Austria, where Ingrid was born. Later that summer Guenter’s father was released from a prisoner of war camp and joined the family.
From 1945 until 1951 the family lived in various locations in Germany as they were displaced refugees.
Since their father had difficulty getting steady work, the family applied to emigrate to Canada through MCC. They were finally accepted and arrived in St. John, NB on Feb. 6, 1952. A group of farmers from Gnadenfeld, near Altona, had sponsored their family because they needed some children to keep their local school open.
In May 1954 the family moved to Winnipeg, where they attended the Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church. Guenter participated in the adult Sunday School class and sang in the choir. On May 29, 1955 he was baptized on the confession of his faith.
After Gr.12 Guenter attended Teachers’ College (1958-59) and found a teaching position at Princess Margaret School in North Kildonan. During that time he got to know the love of his life, Elizabeth Neufeld, from Steinbach and they were married on July 21, 1962. In April 1964 they bought their house at 8 Melmar Pl.
In 1965 Guenter was asked to be a candidate for the lay ministry together with his brother Erwin and George Epp. Since Guenter was also taking university courses, he was extremely busy with his job, studying and church activities. He appreciated mom’s support and her efforts to look after the household and raise the children.
Throughout his career Guenter was the principal at the Maple Leaf, Sherwood, and Donwood Schools.
On April 6, 1966 Hilde was born. David joined the family on June 15, 1968. In October 1968, Guenter was ordained at Springfield Heights Church together with Erwin and George Epp. On Oct.19, 1970, Rudy was born 10 weeks premature. He had to stay in an incubator at the hospital for 7 weeks and Mom and Dad were very thankful that he was strong enough to survive.
Since Elizabeth had started to show early signs of her illness which was later diagnosed as ALS, Guenter officially retired in June of 1993 to look after her.
Travel was one of Guenter’s passions. He made a point of taking the family on roads trips every summer. Most trips involved going with the Hildebrand cousins and some others with families. The family went on yearly road trips until Guenter finished building the cottage at Hillside Beach in 1981. Many fond memories revolve around the family’s time there.
In the fall of 1996, Guenter and Elizabeth sold their house on Melmar and moved to an apartment to accommodate her needs. Guenter, with the help of many others, also renovated the cottage and made it wheelchair accessible.
In February 1997 Mary Braun, who was a family friend, was hired to help Guenter look after Elizabeth. This began a deep and lasting friendship between Guenter and Elizabeth and the Braun family. Their daughter Damaris has considered Guenter her Opa ever since.
Due to Elizabeth’s ALS diagnosis, they moved to an apartment in Bethania Haus in 1998.
Her health gradually declined until she passed away in September 2000.
One of Guenter’s greatest joys was becoming an Opa. He loved Jordan, Jonathan, Nathan, Lukas, and Rachel deeply and prayed that they would follow his example of loving Jesus. He enjoyed simple activities like throwing stones into the lake at the cottage, playing board games, and watching their sporting and school events.
In May 2004 Guenter winterized the cottage and moved out there full time. He found great joy in woodworking, making numerous items for family and friends.
In 2014 Guenter moved to Winkler. After 6 years of living in a house he moved to Buhler Active Living Center due to his mobility issues.
On October 19, 2024 Guenter complained of chest pains and poor breathing and was taken to the Boundary Trails Health Centre where he received excellent care. Having already endured many ailments, once admitted he chose not to receive further treatment.
Guenter passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024.
Guenter will be greatly missed by his children, and grandchildren, Hilde, Dave and Nichole (Nathan, Luke and Rachel), and Rudy and Renee (Jordan, Jon and Saliem). He is also survived by his brother Erwin, brother Gerry and Irene, brother-in-law Alf Cornies, and brother-in-law Abe Hildebrand as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his brother Kurt, sister Ingrid Cornies, sister-in-law Maggie Strempler, sister Ruth and Art Janz, sister-in-law Neta and Pete Neufeld, sister-in-law Helen and Cornie Friesen, sister-in-law Margaret and Jakob Dyck, sister-in-law Tina Hildebrand, nephews Pete Neufeld, Henry Neufeld, Heinz Dyck, Menno Friesen, and niece Margaret Fedrau.
The family was able to spend many good days with Guenter and had meaningful conversations during his time at the hospital. He remained a faithful servant of God to the end of his life. He was consistently gracious and thankful for the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre despite the pain he endured.
There will be a short service at 6:30 pm with an opportunity for viewing and visiting until 8:30 pm at Wiebe Funeral Home (Winkler) Friday November 8, 2024. Graveside service will be held at Green Acres Cemetery (Winnipeg) Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. Celebration of Life service will be held at Douglas Mennonite Church (Winnipeg) Saturday November 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to MCC in his memory.
In October 1944 the German army was retreating from Russia and the family had to flee their home on very short notice. Their mother, along with the 4 children, left by train while their father had to stay back to “defend” the city. The family ended up on a farmyard in Austria, where Ingrid was born. Later that summer Guenter’s father was released from a prisoner of war camp and joined the family.
From 1945 until 1951 the family lived in various locations in Germany as they were displaced refugees.
Since their father had difficulty getting steady work, the family applied to emigrate to Canada through MCC. They were finally accepted and arrived in St. John, NB on Feb. 6, 1952. A group of farmers from Gnadenfeld, near Altona, had sponsored their family because they needed some children to keep their local school open.
In May 1954 the family moved to Winnipeg, where they attended the Sargent Ave. Mennonite Church. Guenter participated in the adult Sunday School class and sang in the choir. On May 29, 1955 he was baptized on the confession of his faith.
After Gr.12 Guenter attended Teachers’ College (1958-59) and found a teaching position at Princess Margaret School in North Kildonan. During that time he got to know the love of his life, Elizabeth Neufeld, from Steinbach and they were married on July 21, 1962. In April 1964 they bought their house at 8 Melmar Pl.
In 1965 Guenter was asked to be a candidate for the lay ministry together with his brother Erwin and George Epp. Since Guenter was also taking university courses, he was extremely busy with his job, studying and church activities. He appreciated mom’s support and her efforts to look after the household and raise the children.
Throughout his career Guenter was the principal at the Maple Leaf, Sherwood, and Donwood Schools.
On April 6, 1966 Hilde was born. David joined the family on June 15, 1968. In October 1968, Guenter was ordained at Springfield Heights Church together with Erwin and George Epp. On Oct.19, 1970, Rudy was born 10 weeks premature. He had to stay in an incubator at the hospital for 7 weeks and Mom and Dad were very thankful that he was strong enough to survive.
Since Elizabeth had started to show early signs of her illness which was later diagnosed as ALS, Guenter officially retired in June of 1993 to look after her.
Travel was one of Guenter’s passions. He made a point of taking the family on roads trips every summer. Most trips involved going with the Hildebrand cousins and some others with families. The family went on yearly road trips until Guenter finished building the cottage at Hillside Beach in 1981. Many fond memories revolve around the family’s time there.
In the fall of 1996, Guenter and Elizabeth sold their house on Melmar and moved to an apartment to accommodate her needs. Guenter, with the help of many others, also renovated the cottage and made it wheelchair accessible.
In February 1997 Mary Braun, who was a family friend, was hired to help Guenter look after Elizabeth. This began a deep and lasting friendship between Guenter and Elizabeth and the Braun family. Their daughter Damaris has considered Guenter her Opa ever since.
Due to Elizabeth’s ALS diagnosis, they moved to an apartment in Bethania Haus in 1998.
Her health gradually declined until she passed away in September 2000.
One of Guenter’s greatest joys was becoming an Opa. He loved Jordan, Jonathan, Nathan, Lukas, and Rachel deeply and prayed that they would follow his example of loving Jesus. He enjoyed simple activities like throwing stones into the lake at the cottage, playing board games, and watching their sporting and school events.
In May 2004 Guenter winterized the cottage and moved out there full time. He found great joy in woodworking, making numerous items for family and friends.
In 2014 Guenter moved to Winkler. After 6 years of living in a house he moved to Buhler Active Living Center due to his mobility issues.
On October 19, 2024 Guenter complained of chest pains and poor breathing and was taken to the Boundary Trails Health Centre where he received excellent care. Having already endured many ailments, once admitted he chose not to receive further treatment.
Guenter passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024.
Guenter will be greatly missed by his children, and grandchildren, Hilde, Dave and Nichole (Nathan, Luke and Rachel), and Rudy and Renee (Jordan, Jon and Saliem). He is also survived by his brother Erwin, brother Gerry and Irene, brother-in-law Alf Cornies, and brother-in-law Abe Hildebrand as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his brother Kurt, sister Ingrid Cornies, sister-in-law Maggie Strempler, sister Ruth and Art Janz, sister-in-law Neta and Pete Neufeld, sister-in-law Helen and Cornie Friesen, sister-in-law Margaret and Jakob Dyck, sister-in-law Tina Hildebrand, nephews Pete Neufeld, Henry Neufeld, Heinz Dyck, Menno Friesen, and niece Margaret Fedrau.
The family was able to spend many good days with Guenter and had meaningful conversations during his time at the hospital. He remained a faithful servant of God to the end of his life. He was consistently gracious and thankful for the staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre despite the pain he endured.
There will be a short service at 6:30 pm with an opportunity for viewing and visiting until 8:30 pm at Wiebe Funeral Home (Winkler) Friday November 8, 2024. Graveside service will be held at Green Acres Cemetery (Winnipeg) Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 11:00 am. Celebration of Life service will be held at Douglas Mennonite Church (Winnipeg) Saturday November 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to MCC in his memory.