Kurt Klaus Herzberg

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, brother and Opa, Kurt Herzberg on February 20, 2023. He leaves behind his loving wife of 69 years, Loni, his children, Monica (Roy) and Sharon (Stan), grandchildren, Dustin, Bryanna, Jordan, Nathan, and brothers, George (Flora) and John (Mary). He was predeceased by his father Ernst, mother Ida, sister Christel and brother in law, Hans.

Kurt was born in Gross Kosuchen, East Prussia (now Poland) in November 1930 and lived on the family farm until they were forced to flee the advancing Russian army, quite a traumatic experience for a young 15 year old. During the long journey by foot and sea, he became separated from his mother and siblings and travelled on his own ending up on a war ship with wounded soldiers being taken back to Germany. The ship survived shelling by bombs and torpedoes. Upon landing in Germany his three month search eventually led him to his family in Cashagen, Germany where they lived for several years before moving to Lubeck.

As a young adult, after World War II, he trained to be a mechanic and worked for the US army in Frankfurt which is where he met Loni. In December, 1953 they were married and shortly after they immigrated to Canada settling in Regina. There they had two daughters, Sharon and Monica. His first job was washing cars, while learning English and Canadian culture. Soon after he started working as a mechanic, and after saving enough money, he and Hans, his brother in law, were able to purchase several gas and service stations.

His love of cars brought the family to Winnipeg in 1964, where he obtained a Volkswagen franchise and co-founded ‘Auto Haus Fort Garry’ with Hans, starting in a small location at Pembina and Corydon. They successfully grew the business to a full sales, service, and body shop operation for Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi. He took great pride in the business and treated his employees and customers like they were his family. If he saw a Volkswagen with car problems on the side of the road, he would stop and either fix the problem or give the car owner a ride home arranging to pick up the car and take it to the shop. Kurt pioneered the idea of shuttling customers to and from their homes when their cars needed servicing.

In 1967 they bought a cottage at Falcon Lake where time was spent water skiing, boating, playing games, and enjoying nature. Skiing, both downhill and water, became favourite sports of his. Kurt also enjoyed family vacations. The family went on regular downhill ski trips to the mountains and on road trips to Florida. Over the years they embarked on several trips travelling in a VW Westfalia camper van where Sharon and Monica slept in the pop up. In later years they purchased a condo in Florida near the ocean where they spent the winters. Following retirement his joy became his grandchildren. Kurt would take them tubing and water skiing and watch them swim at the cottage. He also loved taking them to playgrounds where they would play tag.

It was sad to watch him slow down over the last few years, suffering from various health issues. During this time, family remained close and continued to savour their time together. Kurt was always hopeful that he would get better and was an eternal optimist.

After a long fulfilling life of 92 years, Kurt died peacefully in his sleep.

We were blessed to have had him in our lives for so many years and he will forever remain in our hearts and memories.

The family would like to thank the staff at Poseidon Personal Care Home for their exceptional care and compassion over the short period of time he was there.

A small private gathering honouring his life will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Herzberg family.