September 10, 1929 - April 28, 2024
In loving memory ~
Our mother, Tina (Katharina) Kehler, passed away on April 28th, 2024, at Menno Hospital in Abbotsford, BC. Tina was born on Sept 10, 1929 in Grunfeld, a village near Kryvoy Rog, Ukraine. Tina was the eldest of three children born to Elizabeth and Jakob Nickel. During World War II, Tina emigrated through western Europe and arrived in Canada in 1948. The next year she was baptized on June 6, 1949. Her faith sustained her through many joys and struggles. After several years of working in Altona, Winkler, and Steinbach, Tina met Henry, and they were married in Winnipeg on August 24, 1957. They had three children: Ruth, Rudy and Ron.
Tina cared deeply for her children and preserved many Mennonite living traditions in the home. She enjoyed cooking but loved baking, which her family also thoroughly enjoyed. Her mother, Elizabeth Nickel, lived a short walk from home and they were great friends until she passed away in 1993 at the age of 86. As Tina's children were becoming more independent in grade school, she began volunteering at the Watt Street Thrift Shop, where she served for over 20 years. Tina and Henry were very involved at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, where they served as Deacons, and Tina was involved in the Frauen Verein.
Tina suffered the effects of several small strokes that, over a period of 24 years, gradually reduced her independence. As Tina relied more on Henry for support, they moved to Concordia Village in Winnipeg in 2010. After Tina and Henry's 60th anniversary in 2017, Henry fell and broke his hip. This prompted the next level of care for both Henry and Tina when they moved to Abbotsford, BC to be closer to Ruth and Rudy's families.
Tina was predeceased by her husband Henry Kehler (2020), and her brother John Nickel (2023), and is survived by her sister, Helen Janzen (née Nickel). She also leaves behind her children, Ruth (née Kehler) and Dave Plenert, Rudy and Maureen Kehler, Ron and Frieda Kehler, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Our thanks for the exceptional care provided by the staff at Menno Hospital, Abbotsford BC.