We Remember
HENKELMAN, Frederick “Fred”
May 10, 1928 — January 25, 2018
Frederick “Fred” Henkelman went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 25, 2018 at the age of 89 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Ruth; daughter Joanne (Ken) Seefried of Kelowna, BC; son Michael Henkelman of Ocoee, Florida and sister-in-law Adina Henkelman of Swan River, MB. He is predeceased by one brother and 5 sisters.
Frederick (Fred) was born in Tuczyn, Volhynia, Poland to Gottfried and Henrietta Henkelman. In 1928, when Fred was three months of age, his parents with five small children, immigrated to Canada. Initially the family settled in Minitonas, MB. It was here Fred grew up, attended school and along with his family attended the German Baptist church. Later Fred’s parents sold the Minitonas farm and purchased a larger farm in the Swan River, MB district.
Fred always appreciated his parents for their committed Christian life and its influence on him. In his mid teens, while attending a series of evangelistic services, Fred trusted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. That decision would be the foundation for the rest of his life.
For several years Fred farmed with his father, eventually taking over the farm when his parents retired to the Town of Swan River. Along with grain farming, he worked in Cox’s Swan River grocery store. In 1961 Fred met his wife Ruth, who was working as a Public Health nurse in Swan River. They married in 1963 and Fred resumed full time farming along with developing a herd of Registered Polled Hereford cattle. It was during this time they were blessed with Joanne and Michael who brought them much joy.
In 1976 Fred and Ruth sold their farm and herd of cattle and moved to Kelowna, BC. In the fall of that year Fred started work with Gorman Bros. and continued with them until his retirement in 1992.
In retirement Fred enjoyed travelling, particularly his trip to Chile, two trips to Israel and to the Ukraine to visit the site of his birth. Fred’s love of the land never left him and at both his homes in Kelowna he maintained a vegetable and rose garden. A person with many practical skills, Fred filled his time with carpentry, painting and general maintenance work, often for friends and his church community.
Fred’s trust and faith in his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been the guide for his life, along with a deep love and commitment to his wife Ruth and family.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to in memory of Fred may be made to: Bibles for Ukraine, c/o G.P.F. 2025 West 42nd Avenue #380 Vancouver, BC Canada V6M 2B5 ________________________________________________________________
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:00 am at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:00
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
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Bibles for Ukraine
Service Information
Service Details
The service for HENKELMAN, Frederick “Fred” is scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:00 . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
So sorry for your loss Ruth. Fred was a wonderful man. With deepest sympathies
Judy Elderkin
Dear Ruth,
Thinking of you at this difficult time as you have lost your husband. May you feel God’s comforting hand every moment.
Ruth and Family:
We are so sorry for your loss. Fred was a wonderful man, so soft spoken, compassionate and that smile. I will never forget all the conversations we had over the fence on Graham Road. Talking about kids all our flowers we worked so hard to make the yard look bright and cheery, your trips you went on and just whatever else we could find to talk about.
He will be missed very much.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time of your lives
Kerry and Gene Weninger
Dear Ruth – We extend our deepest and sincere sympathies to you and your family for your loss. Fred will certainly be missed.
I can’t help on reflecting on three memories of Fred. First, was his passion and knowledge of gardening. When we visited, he loved to take us through his garden – a symmetry of ‘look-ables’ and ‘eat-ables’. It was the tomatoes and the roses – both delicious, both vying to see which would be the biggest and brightest. Secondly, Fred was an honest man. Except the time he took my suit jacket. It was at the annual Westbank Gospel Hall Bible Conference. It was hot that August long weekend, and I had hung my suit jacket in the cloak room, when leaving for home – it was nowhere to be found. After searching and asking around – no success in locating – but once ‘the police sniffer dogs were called out’ – Fred did find my jacket, in his bedroom closet!
Lastly, the frequent visits at the Henkelman’s home was always a wonderful visit. The conversations would generally migrate from gardening, to apologizing, again, for lifting my jacket, to the things concerning Christ. The great joy the Lord Jesus brings, the great provision of eternal life He offers. Fred loved, and love to talk about the things of his Saviour.
Ruth – Fred did look good in my suit jacket, and we too, will miss him greatly.
Much Christian love – Douglas & Beverly