We Remember
NIKEL, Ewald
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NIKEL, Ewald
Ewald Nikel, 78, of Kelowna, BC went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2020 at Kelowna General Hospital.
Ewald was born in December 1941 in the town of Chadneov, Ukraine to Emil and Berta Nikel. After losing his father Emil during the war, Ewald and Berta fled to Chernsted, East Germany where they lived for several years before crossing over into West Germany in 1949. After spending several years in various refugee camps, they were able to make arrangements to immigrate to Southern Manitoba, where Berta had relatives. In 1951, Ewald and Berta travelled by ship, arriving in Quebec City and then travelled by train to a farm just East of Morris, MB, which they would eventually make their home. In 1964, Ewald married Bernietta Paschke, after which they moved to Winnipeg, MB where they would raise their family together.
Ewald worked for 35 years as a science teacher at Dakota Collegiate High School in Winnipeg, MB. He had received dual Master’s Degrees in Chemistry and Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. In 1994, Ewald was presented with the Prime Ministers Award for Teaching Excellence and is remembered fondly by thousands of students whose lives he touched over the years.
One of Ewald’s greatest loves was music. Whether he was listening to music on his home stereo, playing the trumpet in community orchestras and small groups, or singing in church with countless solos, trios, and quartets, music always played a large part in Ewald’s life and the life of his family. Ewald was also a talented choir director, who directed many children, youth and church choirs over the years.
After retiring to Kelowna from Winnipeg, Ewald and his wife Bernietta attended Trinity Church. He loved is family very much and was loved by all who knew him. He was a faithful husband, father, and friend, always trustworthy and full of life until the very end. Over the years, Ewald suffered a series of stokes which left him weaker and weaker after each occurrence. He always fought hard during his recovery, with a cheerful attitude and with all of his strength.
Ewald is survived by his wife Bernietta Nikel (née Paschke); children Scott (wife Shawna), Craig, and Christy (husband Chris) Nikel; and two grandchildren, Megan and Haley Nikel.
A Memorial Service will be held by invitation only. However, the family would like to invite all who want to pay their respects to join by Livestream on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 1:00 pm.
my thoughts and prayers are with you Bernieta and family
My condolences to you, Bernietta, and your family. My memories of Ewald go back 64 years when we were in the Morris church youth group. My son’s father-in-law, Brian Thorarinson, who was Superintendent of the Dakota Collegiate School Division, has fond memories of Ewald. My thoughts are prayers are with you. Al (wife Carol) Martin
Mrs. Nikel,
My condolences to you and your family. I have fond memories of Mr Nikel leading the church choir with great passion and enthusiasm. As well, It has been a blessing to see you and Mr Nikel in Kelowna over the past several years.
Dear Bernieta and family!
Ewald was such an inspiration to us especially in how he persevered to fight for his mobility after the strokes! His positive attitude was amazing and he never complained! His amazing voice blessed Joe and I on our wedding day when he sang “Saviour like a shepherd lead us”. We will miss him so much ,as will you,Bernieta and family! Pray peace and comfort for you all as you work through your grief in the coming days. Lotza love, Joe and Irene
To Bernietta Nikel & families; I so sorry to hear of Ewald’s passing we know he’s in the arms of Jesus now, may you RIP Ewald, the Nikel’s were wonderful neighbors here at Gordon Park village, & may God Bless you all. Howard Sali
Mrs. Nikel,
Our family is sorry for your loss. As the sting of death makes its mark and we mourn the loss of our loved ones on this earth, let us look forward to our reunion with them in Christ in His due time.
Jeremy Krahn
So many wonderful memories! We are saddened but also rejoicing that Ewald is with our Lord. Praying God’s peace for you Bernieta and the family. Love to you all from us and Ken and Kris and their families.
A conversation with Ewald was always worthwhile . So knowledgeable yet so down to earth. To feel that you are valued in a conversation and to come away with a feeling that it was time very well spent, was a gift that Ewald’s personality and character freely gave. Bernieta and family, our love and prayers are with each of you. May God’s presence and peace and comfort surround you! Ron and Marlene
Our deepest sympathies, hugs and prayers to you all. We have so many great memories of Ewald growing up in Morris. Sieg learned to sing tenor sitting next to Ewald in Mr. Stober’s choir. How much we appreciated his gift of music! Such great memories of our time with you last November as well. may God sustain you and give you comfort.
Dear Mrs. Nikel, Craig, Scott, Christy and families,
I’m praying for God’s presence and comfort to sustain you as you grieve Mr. Nikel’s passing. I am so thankful to have grown up in a church with your family! Because of your family’s musical gifts and service to our church, my family was able to join in and I grew up totally surrounded by music. Because of your dad’s faithfulness in conducting a choir, I have memories of hearing him demonstrate rhythms (“ba dah pahp BEEEE dah pah pah”) while I played on the floor of the church sanctuary; I had the vanishingly rare privilege of growing up singing in a real church choir and reading music (and learning how to sing alto!), and also because of his faithfulness, my future husband’s parents joined the church choir and our dads sat next to each other….so his life had a lot of influence. I praise God that we will see him again (and sing in a choir) someday with the Lord.
Condolences to the family of Ewald and Bernita memories at Emmanuel Baptist Church singing in the choir hugs and prayers to you folks
While you will be much missed here on earth I can only imagine the angel choirs rejoicing as you joined their throng, dear cousin. Condolences to all of the dear family members left behind for the time being. We look forward to our time of reuniting with you and all the other family that has gone before. Our times spent with you over our life-time will always be cherished as a favorite memory — Irene & Dick
Fond memories, many years ago, during our visit to Kelowna when we spent the day with you while you showed us the beauty of your city. Our sincere condolences. Warm greetings from Phoenix, Arizona and God’s richest blessings.
Dear Bernita. Thanks for letting us share in Ewald’s memorial service. I was flooded with great memories: sitting next to Ewald in the band, singing in the quartet with him, even being bestmen together at Ferd’s wedding, and many more memories. Our prayers will be with you as you find God’s comfort and strength over the next part of your journey.
Hi Bernieta, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family as you grieve over the loss of Ewald. Remember the promises of Jesus, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25. Thank you for your hospitality years ago when I spoken in your church and you and Ewald invited me into your home. I was pleased to be able to watch the memorial service live streaming. My very best regards, Frank Berg.
Dear Bernita & family, We were saddened to hear of the passing of Ewald and extend our condolences to your family during this time of loss. The choir Ewald directed at Grant Park Church impacted our lives with many treasured memories-especially for Darryl and Lorie in their early years. They will never forget the production “Down by the Creek Bank”. Ewald’s efforts were commendable and appreciated by our family as a whole. With thoughts and prayers for God’s comfort during this difficult time.