Obituary of Hardy Kehler

Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Hardy Kehler, 92 years, passed away at Rest Haven Personal Care Home, Steinbach, MB., and was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father.

Hardy was born June 28, 1931, to Jacob P and Helena (Dueck) Kehler in Plum Coulee, MB.

 Hardy grew up on a farm near Horndean, MB. He attended Melba school till grade 9, and graduated from Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna.  He then received his B.A. and B.Ed. at the University of Manitoba and started his career teaching thousands of students over the years.

His first position was at Heabert School, a one room rural school near Lowe Farm, MB. It was during this time he met and fell in love with Teenie Friesen and the romance began. They were married in 1956.

 The family grew from two to five with the arrival of Harold (1957) Virginia (1961) and Richard (1965), and the numbers grew again when Harold married Janet; Virginia (Ginny) married David Taylor; and Ric married JoAnne! Then to Hardy’s delight he became grandad to six grandsons and two granddaughters. The pink icing on the cake came with the arrival of seven great-granddaughters!

For seven years he taught in Horndean, then in Lowe Farm for the next seven years where he was proud of his basketball team for winning the Manitoba Highschool basketball championship two years in a row.

In 1969 the family moved to Steinbach where Hardy taught in the math/science department in  both the Steinbach Collegiate Institute and the Steinbach Regional Secondary School for the remaining 19 years of his career for a total of 37 years teaching.

Summer jobs were an adventure! He worked at British Columbia Telephone System in southern B.C., went underground mining at the Inco Nickel mine in Sudbury, ON, gave driving lessons at the Fort Garry Driving School in Winnipeg, was employed by Ray Butz remodelling and moving hip-roof barns in Regina, Saskatchewan., and drove eighteen wheelers throughout Canada and the United States. He raised hereford cattle and had leaf cutter bees on his farm. Also seeded grains: oats and alfalfa which sold for seed.

In retirement Hardy and Teenie spent a few months in Gramado, Southern Brazil volunteer teaching for Janz Team Ministries. He also spent a life changing month in the jungles of Papua New Guinea working on an air strip for New Tribes Mission. Travelling included driving truck and RV to Belize, Puerto Vallarta, Baja Mexico, and many trips to Phoenix Arizona.

 Motorcycling was a favorite activity, even into his 80’s. Many would recognize Hardy as the well tanned guy – bareback and wearing only cut off jeans, driving down the streets of Steinbach. He also had a ‘signature’ handshake that few would forget!

 Every acquaintance was a friend, and Hardy had a large circle of friends! From hunting buddies, coffee friends and the couples they travelled and had fun with… he loved them all!

 Hardy loved the Lord and as a young lad gave his life to Christ. In 1946 he was baptized in the Grossweide MB Church. Hardy and Teenie were actively involved in the Emmanuel Church in Lowe Farm and the Steinbach MB Church. He loved his family and prayed daily for them.

He was predeceased by his parents Jacob and Helena, brother Jake (Lena), sisters Helen (Lawrence) and Tina (Ben) as well as a brother in infancy.

 Hardy is survived by his wife Teenie, three children and their spouses: Harold and Janet Kehler (Brad + Carollynne with Chloe + Hailey) Josh; Virginia and David Taylor (Joel + Jessica with Haven, Cassia + Violet) (Corey + Jay with Presley); (Troy + Breanna with Lyla); Ric and JoAnne Kehler (Alexia, Graeme, Jordan).

 Thanks to all the wonderful caregivers, nurses, and staff at Resthaven for the past two years for their compassionate care, as well as Birchwood Funeral Chapel for their assistance.

 The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with reception to follow. A private family interment will take place prior to the service. To join the family via livestream, please click HERE.

 Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Square One World Media.