Surrounded by her loving family, Gretel was called Home by her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 6th, 2019. At her bedside her sister Renate, her children Laura, Kathy and Dan, her brother in-law Dave and her daughter in-law Jacqueline.
Gretel was predeceased by her parents Adolf and Christine, her brother Eugene, sister Olga, brother Gustav and her grandson Jesse. The love of her life Stan, also passed away earlier this year on February 24th, 2019.
She is survived by her three children, Laura (Ron), Kathy (Dean) and Dan (Jacqueline), her five grandchildren Ryan, Olivia, Seneth, Emma, Mackenzie, and also by her sisters Renate Munnik and Emma Boehme.
Gretel Kenward was born July 14th, 1943 in Ludwinowo, Poland, to Adolf and Christine Sommerfeld. After the end of World War 2, Gretel and her family fled Poland for Germany where they spent several years in a displaced persons camp until immigrating to Canada in 1952. They settled into a farm in Bradner, BC. Gretel starting working in her teens, at first with babysitting and house cleaning then later as a cashier and then a meat wrapper and SuperValu and Safeway. Gretel’s older sister and her husband, Emma and Fred Boehme, introduced her to Stan Kenward by arranging a blind date for them. They fell in love and were married on May 1st, 1971.
Gretel was a strong woman with an immense sense of humour, an adoration of music and an unbreakable set of morals. Gretel would say that her greatest accomplishment was her family, and her greatest reward in this life was her Stan. The two of them had an enduring and everlasting love that never wavered.
Gretel loved her baking and cooking and was always ready with casserole in hand to those who were unwell or experiencing a loss. Here sit, she would say, I will make you something to eat. She always loved to look after others. She was a Wife, Mother, Oma, friend and devoted Christian.
Those who knew her, will miss her. But there is great comfort in knowing she has been reunited with Stan who has been patiently waiting for her arrival in God’s Kingdom.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia or the Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia.
Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 pm Saturday, December 14th, 2019 at Henderson’s Funeral Home, 34537 Marshall Rd, Abbotsford. This will be immediately followed by a graveside service at Hazelwood Cemetery, 34070 Hazelwood Ave, Abbotsford. There will be a lite lunch after the internment, also to be held at Henderson’s.
The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to the staff and workers at Menno Home in Abbotsford. The care and respect given to her, especially in those last days, brought such comfort. We will never forget that constant kindness that was provided to her. Laura, Kathy and Dan also want to thank Auntie Rennie and Auntie Emmie for their constant love and devotion to their Mom. The affection and friendship you showed Greta were appreciated more than words can say.
We could not have asked for a better Mother. We love you Mom and you will be missed.
Till we meet again.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18