Bruce (Butch) Rempel

In loving memory of Bruce (Butch) Rempel, who passed away September 17, 2020 at the age of 82 years.

Bruce came into the world February 13, 1938, the third (and final) son of Jack and Vera Rempel (nee Churchill).  Dad had a wonderful family and, apparently, was spoiled.  They lived in Moody Spur, Badger and Carrick, Manitoba before dad moved to Winnipeg. He married his first wife around the age of 27, however they did not last long.

When he was 30, Dad joined mom and I when I was 9 months old. They were married March 10, 1971. I was adopted by Bruce at the age of 3 and became a Rempel. This past summer we had a little gathering to celebrate the fact that while it was their 49th anniversary they made it past 50 years of being together.  When Dad came into our lives, he changed the path we were on in a big way.  Mom and I often said we did not know where we would be if it wasn’t for him.

In his younger years Dad led a bit of a wild-life, but he made sure that I went to church from the time I could walk. On Father’s Day, when I was 7, I wanted my dad to have a new Bible.  I was DETERMINED that it would have gold edging on the pages, as I was going to walk the streets of gold with my Dad when I got to heaven.  Dad determined that if I was so concerned about the streets of gold, then he better do something about his salvation. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ, we know that we will see him again when we join him in Heaven.

When we hear about God being a wonderful and gracious father, we often equate God to our early fathers.  I had an amazing example.  He adopted me (just like God, the Father, adopts us). He loved me (God loves us more than our earthly father), and he would give me anything I needed (and most of the things I wanted).  I am grateful for the example he was to me on what a father is like, so I can get a glimpse of God the Father.  If this was a glimpse, then our God is amazing!

Dad was like a roasted marshmallow (hard and crusty on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside) especially when it came to his grandkids. He was a giving person. When you came into our home you were family.

At 58 he became a grandpa and the focus of his life changed!  John, Nathan and Timothy Kolesar changed the definition of love for his. He would get upset every time we added another grandchild into his life as the boys did not have any of his DNA, but we told him not to worry kids take love over blood any day.  He LOVED his grandchildren fiercely, and they could do NO wrong (insert eye roll here please).

Four years ago, his definition of love changed once again as he and mom welcomed their great grandchild Hunter into their hearts. Last year, another great grandchild was added to our family when Piper was born.  She would play peek with Great Grandpa and always knew where his soft Werther caramels were.  Hunter and Piper could put such a smile on Great Grandpa’s face.  They were the light that shone in his eyes.

Dad is survived by me, his daughter Sheila, grandchildren John (Kelli) Kolesar, Nathan Kolesar, and Timothy Kolesar, his great grandchildren Hunter (Little man) and Piper (Little one) , Sister in law Frances Rempel Brothers-in-law Tom (Doreen) Delorme, Hugh (Linda) Delorme, Jim (Vivian) Delorme, Sister in law Neva (Dave) Delorme and NUMEROUS nieces and nephews.

Over the years there have been many losses.  He is predeceased by his wife Betty on August 11th of this year (5 weeks ago), his parents Jack (Johann) and Vera Rempel, brothers Gilbert (Anne) and Elmer, step-son Colin Lapointe, and numerous brothers and sisters in law on Mom’s side.

Pallbearers are his grandchildren, John, Nathan, Tim and Kelli.  Honorary Pallbearers are his great grandchildren Hunter and Piper

As a family we want to thank the many homecare workers that came into our home for both mom and dad, (many of you became family), paramedics, and the staff on the medical ward at Bethesda Regional Health Centre and Dr. Nicole Porath. In the midst of COVID the staff at Bethesda were understanding of our family needs.  We appreciate that.

- Written by Sheila

A Celebration of Life, for Bruce Rempel will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Crossings Funeral Care, 12E-40 North Gate Drive, Steinbach, MB.  with public viewing from 1:30 pm to 2 pm. For those unable to attend, the service will be available via live-stream.