We Remember
REMPEL, Kathe “Katie”
April 30, 1927 — December 12, 2024
Katie Rempel (née Hamm) went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2024, at the age of 97, in Kelowna, BC. She was born on April 30, 1927, to loving parents, in the colony of Rosental Chortitza, Ukraine. She had a very happy childhood until 1938, when Stalin’s brutal regime claimed the life of her dear father, and later caused her mother and siblings to become refugees during the war. While Katie was able to escape Stalin’s grasp, the rest of her family were all captured and sent to a gulag in the far north of Russia, not to be heard of again for 12 long years.
By the grace of God, Kathie was able to immigrate to Canada after the war. She arrived in Calgary in 1948, where she met her future husband, John Rempel at English language classes, at night school. They were married in 1950 and established a loving home, raising 3 children. It didn’t take her long to get involved in numerous church ministries at First Mennonite Church, through which she made wonderful lifelong friends. Because her husband, John, was a home builder, Katie got used to moving every couple of years. Eventually, John’s wanderlust resulted in the family moving from Calgary to Kelowna in 1967. Thankfully, Katie was an outgoing extrovert, and it didn’t take her long to reestablish the family in this new community. They joined the Kelowna Gospel Fellowship church and, as before, made many wonderful friends.
Kathe dedicated her life to her family and to God, in whom she trusted all her life. She is remembered for her joyous, compassionate and loving nature. Her cheerful laughter and outgoing disposition is often mentioned by those who knew her. While a woman of peace, she was also a strong and powerful advocate for the disadvantaged and hurting.
Left to cherish her memories are her son Victor (Marcia), daughter Elsie and her sister Hilda Hamm, along with 5 grandchildren (Rebecca, Christine, Amy, Daniel and Patrice) and their respective families.
She was predeceased by her husband John Rempel, daughter Karen Engel, brother Viktor Hamm and sister Helena Dyck.
Katie will be laid to rest in the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 10, 2025 (immediate family only).
Her memorial will take place on SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM, at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, located at 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. 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 3-5 days thereafter.
Flowers are not required.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Condolences to the Rempel family, I’ve known Katie for over 50 years, her son Vic and I were friends as teenagers in Kelowna. Katie and my parents were very close friends also, our fathers worked and played together. Katie was more like an aunt to me I suppose, very friendly loving person and a great cook. She will be greatly missed, just a wonderful person.
I met Katie around 1976 thru Vic, and family, and I always reconnected thru the family and it was always a pleasure to be there at home with them, where I always enjoyed support and fellowship.
I always felt it was a big big family where I could always vent my sentiments and graciously felt at home with always homemade soups or pies or coffee. It was sad to see her finally go, and the memory lives on.
So many thanks 😄😃😄
I’m so sorry to hear your mama is not with you anymore, I’m very thankful tho, she joins Karen and the rest of her loved ones gone on before. What a beautiful thing to have known not only this wonderful legacy laden woman of God, but her incredibly welcoming and loving family. Elsie and Vic, bless you and all the rest of your family.