We Remember
KENTEL, Pastor Murvyn
—
On the sun-filled and Son-filled morning of Thursday, December 12th, 2019, Murvyn Renwick Kentel a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and Pastor passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 89 years. He will always be remembered for his unwavering faith, his love for his family and friends, his service to his Lord, his kind heart, and his spirited sense of humour.
Papa Kentel will be lovingly remembered by his four children Jim (Carmen), Jeanne, Steve (Jacquie), and Miriam and his twelve grandchildren Joshua (Hannah), Sarah (Rob), Jesse, Jo (Breeanna), Curtis (Chelsea), Christina, Jensen, Kevin, Eli, Joel, Kai, and Carter. Among those who passed before him were his beloved wife Shirley Ann, his parents Elizabeth (Andres) and Valentine Kentel, and his brothers Vernon, Wallace, and Clifford.
Pastor Murv was born January 25, 1930 in MacNutt, Saskatchewan and was raised on a nearby farm. During his life on the family farm he developed a deep affection for horses and the outdoors. As a teenager he enrolled in cadets but in 1945 when World War II ended, and his brother Vernon returned home, he made the decision to become a pastor. His educational and theological journey began at Concordia College, Edmonton and he completed his studies June 3, 1956 at Concordia Seminary, St Louis Missouri. He later completed his Master of Divinity degree while serving as a Pastor. Not only was he well versed in five languages he was also considered an expert in homiletics, teaching numerous theological students at Concordia Seminary, Edmonton.
Pastor Kentel was a vicar in St Catharines, Ontario where his met his wife of 62 years, Shirley Ann Yungblut. He served as pastor in Delhi/Tillsonburg, Ontario; Regina, Saskatchewan; Augusta, Missouri; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Stony Plain, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta; South Africa; Kelowna and West Kelowna, British Columbia. The baptisms, funerals, and weddings he officiated are too numerous to count. He touched thousands of lives and knew each one by name. Pastor Murv was known for his humourous and unconventional pastoral style such as playing his guitar from the pulpit or moving in closer to connect with people while he delivered inspiring messages of the Gospel.
Papa Kentel loved his family, friends, community, and members of the church wholeheartedly, surpassed only by his steadfast love for his Lord. His marvelous wit and contagious laughter was present even in his last days.
A viewing will be held at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC on Thursday, December 19th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. A Memorial Service will take place at First Lutheran Church, 4091 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna, BC on Friday, December 20 at 2:00 pm officiated by Pastors Rod Buck and Keith Reisdorf. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Lutheran Hour or First Lutheran Church, Kelowna.
Visitation
Thursday, December 19th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Springfield Funeral Home
Service
Friday, December 20 at 2:00 pm
Location
First Lutheran Church
Share with Others:
Lutheran Hour or Christ Lutheran Church Link: https://www.lhm.org/give/forms/formgeneral.asp, https://christevangelicallutheran.com/
Service Information
Service Details
The service for KENTEL, Pastor Murvyn is scheduled for Friday, December 20 at 2:00 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:
First Lutheran Church
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Our deepest sympathy goes out to all the family. Your dad was our Pastor at Grace Lutheran in Regina for many years. He was indeed a great man!!
Although it’s very hard to find the words that would convey the deep and heartfelt sympathy this brings to you today.
Still may it be a comfort and a consolation to know that many thoughts and prayer are going out to you today.
From Sharon Selby (member of Grace Lutheran Church, Regina, Sask.)
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kentel extended family at this time. Murv will be forever remembered for his unflinching faith, his care and concern for all people and the ever present gleam in his eye. A great man who will be sorely missed.
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. Murv and Shirley have been close and dear friends since I first met them over sixty years ago when served at Grace in Regina.We kept contact through the years and especially since they moved to BC .We can all take comfort that as a child of God He is now safely with Shirley in their heavenly home .They will be missed!
My deepest sympathy to the Kentel family on the passing of Pastor Murv.
What a shock to open the Springfield Funeral Home obituaries and find an obituary for my dear friend Connie’s Uncle Mervin! My condolences go out to all the family – Connie’s family was mine as we were growing up in Langenburg. And coincidentally, my husband’s brother lives immediately behind the place where dear Uncle Mervin’s funeral will be.held. Unfortunately he has been confined to a Care Home for several years and his wife lives there now by herself. Also, Phyllis Mintram from Langenburg lives in the condo across the street from them. Small world! I will be thinking of you and praying for your family as you say your goodbyes to Uncle Mervin! God Bless!
You are in our thoughts and prayers today. We cherish and thank God for your Dad. He enriched our lives beyond measure.
Our condolences on the passing of Murv, but joy that he is with the Lord. He was always a fun guy to chat with before service.
My deepest sympathy in the loss of Pastor Kentel. I was his secretary for the 10 years that he served as Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Regina. I didn’t know he was sick, as I had sent an e-mail on the loss of Shirley his wife in March, but didn’t hear anything from him. I had a good visit with them when they attended the anniversary of Ed and Marge Tiefenbach in Regina a few years ago. I continued working at Grace and finally retired after 45 years. Pastor Harry Ruf ( and Ruth) notified me of Murve’s passing.. I had passed the info unto our present Pastor, and he announced it at Sunday services last Sunday. My prayers are with you.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father, a very special man , our condolences to you.
Murv and Shirley were dear friends while he served at Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. We have great memories and were honoured that they came to see us on their last visit to Winnipeg a year ago. They enriched our lives beyond measure.
Our deepest sympathies to the Kentel Family, May the Lord grant you comfort and peace during this time. Our thoughts, memories, and prayers are with you.