We Remember
MITTELSTAEDT, Martha
September 9, 1928 — March 14, 2023
Martha Mittelstaedt (née Strelau) was born to Henry and Pauline Strelau on September 9, 1928, in the village of Nuri, Poland. She passed away peacefully and entered her eternal rest on March 14, 2023.
In 1945, Martha, her parents, her three brothers and three sisters fled from Poland to Germany to escape the advance of the Russian army at the end of World War II.
They remained in Germany for a short time, but then in 1949, they emigrated to Canada and settled on a farm near Canwood, Saskatchewan. The Strelau family eventually located in Vancouver in 1955.
It was in Canwood that Martha met the love of her life, Kurt Eugene Mittelstaedt. They married in Vancouver, BC, on August 22, 1953. Between 1954 and 1965, they were blessed with eight children.
Kurt and Martha lived in Vancouver until 1961, then went into pastoral ministry. Over the years, they served churches in Leduc, Alberta; London, Ontario; Vernon, BC; Kitchener, Ontario; and Kelowna, BC. In 1989 for a short time, they moved to Vancouver, so Martha could help take care of her aging parents. Later that year, they returned to Kitchener until their retirement in 1996. Then, they moved back to Kelowna and have lived there until now.
Martha was a loving mother, a capable homemaker, a gracious hostess, a caring friend to many, and a strong supportive partner in life and ministry to Kurt. And, of course, an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother. For a time, she also demonstrated her excellent managerial skills in running the Vernon Bethany Home for seniors.
She is predeceased by her elder siblings, Emil and Hanna.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her loving husband, Kurt; eight children and their spouses–Rainer (Elizabeth), Leonard (Marilyn), Anita (Terry), Walter (Patty), Helga (Harry), Herb (Deena), Paul (Claudia), and Marty (Margit); twenty-six grandchildren and their partners; forty-seven great-grandchildren; four siblings–Otto, Richard, Hilda, and Doris; other extended family members and many friends.
Martha will be remembered for her devotion to Christ, her practical faith in God, and her attention to the needs of others.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ministry Essentials Training Program at PAOC Mission Global.
A Visitation will be held on THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023, at 5:00 PM, at Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC).
A Funeral Service will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC), a reception will follow. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. Martha will be laid to rest at a private family graveside service, at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Visitation
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023, at 5:00 PM
Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC).
Service
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC)
Share with Others:
Ministry Essentials Training Program at PAOC Mission Global Link: www.paoc.org/donate/ministryessentialstrainingprogram-metp
Service Information
Service Details
The service for MITTELSTAEDT, Martha is scheduled for FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM. 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)
2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Our condolences to you all as a family. It was great getting to know her in Kitchener at the Immanuel Pentecostal Church. I remember her Thanksgiving Day stew that she brought out to a youth event and the many other youth events that she cooked for! It was nice to visit in their home with our family. My parents and our family looked forward to seeing them even when we moved out to our farm. We are very sorry for the huge loss in your lives. Her memory lives on. Marilyn Ott and family.
With deepest sympathies to Kurt and all the family’s. She’s in Gods hands now 🙏🏻One day we will all rejoice together again. Sending love and prayers. ❤️🙏🏻
Sorry to Martha had passed on.. I new her as my mother Lucy Maschner(has passed on) introduced me to her..
I forgot to say…Condolences to family…..Marta was at my wedding..a wonderful woman..she will be missed…
Our condolences to you and your family, I remember her when I visited back in 2011, she was a wonderful lady, who had a compassionate heart and I remember that she was a very good cook, where she prepared a beautiful meal for me that day.
As a family I know it is a hard time that you are going through in losing such a wonderful soul.
But remember that our prayers and thoughts are always with you.
And one day we shall all meet together in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praying for all of you, that you may find strength in this difficult time.
May God bless you.
My memory of your dear mother persists from my childhood and youth at Bethel Park, where even then, I understood that she was the epitome of Christian service, always on duty as an exemplary wife, mother, and a pillar of her community. Our condolences to you and your extended family.
Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of an Amazing Woman! We became acquainted with her during our time in Sarnia. We were always amazed at her ability to take care of 8 children, be a pastor’s wife, and still have the ability to have guests in her home. We fondly remember and enjoyed the times when our two churches got together on special occasions. You as her family will miss her! May our Lord cover you with His Presence, Peace and Comfort, which only He can give. With prayers and love, Guenter and Trudy
Dear Len & Merilyn
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. Although I did not have the privilege of knowing her well, I understand how profound her loss is to you and your family. I can only imagine what a wonderful person your mother must have been based on your noble character, which I know well. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging time. If there is anything that I can do to offer support or assistance, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will be with you. We will be with you from across the Pacific in South Korea. God bless you.
Remembering Mrs. Mittelstaedt marvelous and gentle spirit.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Mittelstaedt family. We will miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person. Sincerely
Glenn & Bev Peon
What an incredible legacy she leaves behind. A family who will love her and mourn her loss, but also who can celebrate her life and the remarkable woman she was. May we all strive to live a life so demonstrative of the love of God and His service.
Praying for peace and comfort to all who loved Martha.
Our sincerest condolences to all the Mitteelstaedt family. I don’t believe we ever met your Mom/Oma but just knowing some off the family, tells us how wonderful a woman she truly was. There is no doubt in our minds she was proud of each and every one of you. May you find peace and comfort in your memories of her and knowing she is with her Lord and Saviour, who she loved and served all her years. We’ll be thinking of you as you celebrate her life today. Love Jim and Heather
May precious memories of you dear wife, mother, grandmother and grear-grandmother, help you through this time of grief and sorrow! Both of you and your family were a blessing to Immanuel Pentecostal Church, Kitchener when you were here from 1975 – 1980, and then you, Kurt and Martha came back again in 1990. I will never forget when you called me to the Pastors Office here in Kitchener, in 1993, when you mentioned it was time to transition you to Pastor of German Ministries and look for another Senior Pastor.. Rick Tozer became our first non-German background Senior Pastor and both of you worked very well together!! It was due to your and Martha’s kind spirit that contributed toward a very smooth transition,
To the Mittelstaedt family.
May the family be comforted at this time. Our prayers and sympathy are with you.
We know you will miss her but you have hope of meeting her again, maybe sooner than we think. Martha was a true friend, and we miss her as well.
May Gods peace and comfort be with each of the family members.
Lilly, Dave, Carolyn and Holly
The Grapentin family
Dear Marty and Margit, I got to know your mom a bit in Kelowna, back in 1983 when Rainer and I lived there. She was a sweet and gracious lady. May the Lord comfort you with the assurance that we’ll see her again in her heavenly home.
May God comfort all of you and sending deepest condolecences to the entire family.
I remember fondly our friendship during your ministry at Immanuel Pentecostal Church in Kitchener, while I was Pastor at Salem Baptist in the same city. I experienced Martha’s gracious hospitality in your home several times, the last time being in 1990. We have followed one another on Facebook and the bond of brotherhood and friendship has meant a great deal to me. My deepest sympathies on your loss, Kurt. We have the same faith that strengthens us and may you experience that comfort in the coming days.
My Heartfelt Condolence to the Family Martha Mittelstadt ! Your Prayers led me to become part of the Family of GOD ! Many great Memory with the Mittelstaed Family Special my Friend Martha , Thanksgiving from Paula West Helmut West Junior
our Deepest Condolence to the Family of Martha Your Prayers lead me to be part of the Family of God,, ! Paula West – Helmut Jr West Family
Paula West , Helmut West and Family