BISCHOF, Siegfried “Sieg”

February 9, 1942 — September 27, 2026

Siegfried Bischof, 84, of Kelowna, British Columbia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Kelowna General Hospital.

Siegfried was born on February 9, 1942, to Hedwig and Rudolf Bischof in Marsinien, Germany, in an area that later became part of Poland. Born during the Second World War, he was baptized on April 4, 1942, at a Lutheran church in Poland. He spent his early years in Europe before immigrating to Canada in 1960, at the age of 18, and settling in Edmonton, Alberta.

On August 19, 1966, Siegfried married Martha Irene Schutz, beginning a loving partnership that would span six decades. Together, they built a life filled with hard work, friendship, laughter, travel and adventure. In August 2026, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, a remarkable milestone and a testament to their lifelong devotion to one another.

Siegfried was a skilled craftsman and a remarkably hard worker. He began his working life as a metal fabricator before establishing a long career in carpentry and construction. His work took him throughout Alberta and into northern communities, where he helped build schools, courthouses, bridges, office high-rises and other major projects. He also contributed to the construction of West Edmonton Mall. Siegfried took great pride in his work and continued in the construction industry until retiring at age 65.

Sports were an important part of Siegfried’s life. As a young man, he played soccer with the Victoria Soccer Club in Edmonton. He also enjoyed curling during Alberta’s winters and developed a lifelong love of golf. Even in his later years, Siegfried remained active and enjoyed taking long walks outdoors.

Anyone who knew Siegfried knew of his enthusiasm for automobiles. Over his lifetime, he owned an extraordinary variety of cars and even kept a handwritten record of them through the years. Among his favourites were a 1957 baby-blue Chevrolet convertible and a 1965 burgundy Ford Mustang. Classic cars remained one of his greatest interests and a favourite topic of conversation.

Siegfried had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, especially with Martha by his side. He returned to Germany to visit family and travelled to Austria twice. For ten years, Siegfried and Martha made annual trips to Arizona, where they enjoyed classic-car shows and attended the PGA golf tournament. Together, they also enjoyed cruises to Alaska, through the Panama Canal and to the Caribbean.

His adventures included flying over the Arctic Circle, river rafting and taking a hot-air balloon ride. Siegfried had a keen interest in history and loved learning about the places he visited. Travel provided him with many wonderful experiences and stories that he enjoyed sharing with others.

In their later years, Siegfried and Martha attended Grace Lutheran Church in West Kelowna together, continuing the Lutheran faith into which Siegfried had been baptized as an infant in Poland more than eight decades earlier.

Siegfried was outgoing and funny, generous and hardworking, and deeply devoted to Martha. He enjoyed people and conversation, especially when the subject turned to cars, golf, soccer, travel or history. He loved a good story and, after 84 years filled with experiences and adventures, had plenty of his own to tell.

He will be remembered for his sense of humour, generosity, strong work ethic, adventurous spirit and, above all, his devotion to Martha and the life they shared.

Siegfried is lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Martha Bischof; his younger brother, Helmut Bischof; and his nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.

A funeral service celebrating Siegfried’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna, British Columbia, with Pastor David Wunderlich of Grace Lutheran Church in West Kelowna officiating.

Siegfried lived a full and adventurous life. He worked hard, travelled far, laughed often, treasured his family and friends, and shared 60 wonderful years with his beloved Martha.

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