Obituary of Neil Schellenberg

The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosenort Fellowship Chapel, 65 Frontage Rd, Rosenort, MB. 

Cornelius Klassen Schellenberg was born in Altona, MB, on September 29, 1947, to Cornelius (Fehr) and Sadie Schellenberg and passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the age of 75 ½ years after a harsh but valiant fight with an aggressive cancer.

Neil’s family lived in Altona, Sanford, Woodridge and Steinbach before settling down on a farm in Pansy. He attended school till Easter in the seventh grade and at the age of 14 started working on a road construction crew building the Winnipeg floodway. Because of his proficiency he was trusted to bigger and bigger machines which when they were not performing correctly, he would repair. He was offered to be put through mechanics training but he felt that was not his bag. He then began building  construction and got his journeyman papers. In later years he would say he was a carpenter by trade and a truck driver by choice. He worked many jobs in construction from schools to hospitals, in Northern parts of several provinces. He started a cabinet shop with his Dad and a number of homes were furnished with his precise workmanship. When this no longer paid the bills for our growing family, he went to Saskatchewan to work in a cabinet factory and the decision was made to move there. Looking back, God obviously had other plans for us because our house in Mitchell did not sell.  An opportunity arose to work close to home at Schmidtke Millwork and then in 1981 hearing of the job in Rosenort in a chicken barn for Ted Bailey, we took it and moved to Rosenort, two months later the house in Mitchell sold! As a family we worked together at this while in the meantime Neil worked at the local Lumber yard for Frank Friesen, then as a truck driver for Riverbend Feedmill. There was a time when we did farming, on Judy’s parents farm in Silberfeld, which Neil loved but again it seemed the time to move there never materialized. We had several highway tractors for a while and he drove one of them for four years when his heart condition dictated that it was best for him to stay closer to home. The opportunity arose to purchase Sunburst Farms, we took it and a number of years later felt the need to develop this into lots for affordable housing to encourage the young people of this community to settle down here. Not an easy endeavor but Neil shone in the ways that he did not lay up treasures here but quietly impacted many people with his generous and particular ways. Building three homes in Sunburst Cresent and then the 3-plex where we currently live, designed as a place where we could grow old together. He went back to drive truck for the feedmill where he retired on September 28, 2022, one day before his 75^th birthday. The last of the 3-plex sold with possession date of September 30, 2023! He spent his far too short retirement doing what he loved. Working in his well equipped woodworking shop.

In May of 1967, Manitoba’s centennial, Neil met the love of his life, Judy Ginter, and the fireworks started. As a young boy he remembers asking God to allow him to grow old enough to see his grandchildren . God not only granted it but allowed him to love on great-grandchildren! They were blessed with five wonderful children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with the news of another one on the way!! After moving to Rosenort, Neil experienced not only knowing God but developing a close relationship with Jesus. When our family sang together it was one of the greatest thrills of his life. He has had various positions in RFC but best suited for him was supporting others and working behind the scenes. He was baptized in the Steinbach CMC in May 1967 and later transferred his membership to RFC in 1983.

Neil is survived by his wife of 53 ½ years, Judy, son Harvey & Jeannine, Kelsey & Cameron, Emelia & Lucas, Quinton & Katelyn, Alyia & Zach; daughter Laura & Donovan, Brooklyn & Harley, TaNeille, Sawyer, Beckett, Mitchell & Nadine, Xavier, & Theo, Darci; daughter Valerie & Sheridan, Jessica & Trent, Griffin & Niko, Mason, Alexis, Cohen, Sadie & Oaklyn; Daughter Tammy & Tim, Rayna, Taylor & Avery, Son Bernard & Heidi, Kai, Ryleigh & Nevaeh. Sisters Sadie & George, Eve & Mel, Sylvia & Ken and one bother Julius & Fran. In laws John & Esther, Peter & Irene, MaryAnne & Pete, Jacob & Karen, Art & Cheryl & Renee and their families.

He was predeceased by his parents Cornie & Sadie Schellenberg, Cornie & Teana Ginter and one great-grandson Rhett Isaac.

This man of small stature but big heart, will be missed greatly.

Although he fervently wished to be healed of this dreadful disease, his prayer was that God’s will be done. He passed away peacefully with his family surrounding his bed and singing him through the gates of glory into the loving arms of Jesus.

Psalm 32

The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosenort Fellowship Chapel, 65 Frontage Rd, Rosenort, MB. 

Private family burial will take place before the service.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Neil may be made to, Rosenort Fellowship Chapel / Building Fund Box 188, Rosenort, MB. R0G 1W0.