Obituary of Joas Plett

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21NIV)

Joas D. Plett of Arborg, MB, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at the home of his son in Selkirk, with family by his side on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.

Dad was born to John R. and Sara Plett on May 14, 1931, the 5th child of six boys and three girls. The family lived near Blumenort, MB., where he completed education up to the 8th grade. When he was 11, his dad passed away suddenly. This loss had a formative impact on his life, particularly with managing finances. His mom remarried Jacob U. Kornelsen, a widower with two children, five years later, bringing lots of change to the family. When Dad was 18, he moved with the family to Quellen Colony in Mexico. In 1952, Dad returned to Manitoba for almost a year where he worked and joined a bush hockey league. Playing hockey remained a significant part of his life until the age of 60.

In 1953, Dad and his brothers built a mechanic garage in Mexico to fix cars and host wrestling matches for the young men, where Dad proved his strength again and again as reigning champion. His young adult life was filled with worldly living, only attending church to please his mom. However, when he noticed Mathilda Kornelsen, he realized his life would need to change if he wanted a future with her. On January 1st, 1956, he had his last smoke and last drink, and gave his life over to the Lord. He was baptized in March of 1956, upon confession of faith. The next month, on April 29th, he married his sweetheart, and they started a family.

Dad farmed in Mexico, but found the land and climate made it very challenging to successfully grow crops. In 1964, Dad and Mom packed up their four children, and moved to Morweena, Manitoba. They bought a farm that fall, and Dad worked hard to provide for his growing family, even borrowing money for groceries at times. He started by farming turkeys but progressed to 11,000 laying hens, along with grain and cattle.  

Family was important to Dad. He ensured his nine children attended the private school. Each morning he faithfully led family devotions, which often included singing. His personal relationship with God was evident and Dad took his children to church on a weekly basis. Although he worked hard, he also valued time spent as a family, enjoying little trips to Riding Mountain National Park every summer. As the family grew, these trips became less frequent and included in laws and grandchildren. Dad appreciated his family, and Christmas family gatherings always included sharing from each family member and singing.

Dad was a man of integrity, known in the community for his honesty, both in the church and in farming. His bookkeeping was very detailed and he chose to embrace technology as it was introduced over the years.

In 2001, Dad moved off the farm, beginning the transition of handing the farm over to his youngest son. He continued to do the bookkeeping for the farm until 2018. These years of transition involved helping on the farm, gardening, and hosting many family gatherings, which usually included crokinole games that he won. In 2017 Dad and Mom moved to House of Hope in Arborg. As his health declined following mom’s passing, he eventually moved in with his second oldest son, where he remained until his passing. 

Left to remember him are nine children and spouses, 46 grandchildren and spouses, and 35 great-grandchildren, and one sister.

He was predeceased by his wife Mathilda, one grandson, one great grandson, one daughter-in-law, six brothers and three sisters.  

The family would like to thank House of Hope and Selkirk Home Care staff for their excellent care of Dad.

A viewing to be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel with a devotional starting at 7:00 p.m. to join the family via livestream, click HERE prior to the service.

The funeral service for Joas will be held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Morweena EMC, with a viewing one hour prior to the service. To join the family via livestream, click HERE prior to the service. Interment to follow at the church cemetery.

Donations may be made to Canadian Bible Society.