John REMPEL

It is with sadness the family of John Rempel, beloved husband of Mary, of Kyle, SK announce his peaceful passing on September 25, 2018 at the Eston Health Centre with family at his side at the age of 94 years. He will be missed dearly by family and friends.

Johnny was born August 2, 1924 on the family farm in the Beaver Flat District, SK. He married Mary Schneider on November 7, 1947 at Clearwater Lake, SK.  John and Mary had five children; Gary, Kenny, Wade, Kathy and Carol.

Johnny grew up on the family farm at Beaver Flat. Johnny had several jobs. He left home at the age of 14 to go work on the Ben Janke Ranch along the South Saskatchewan River, chopping water holes and hauling water during the winter. He went threshing with a crew and finishing up west of High River. That next winter he came back to work for the Minor Bros. Ranch at Beechy, SK.

 Johnny and Mary farmed and ranched north of Clearwater Lake until 1951, when they then moved to the Matador, living at East Camp. John became manager of the Matador Pasture in 1962, where he worked for 41 years.

Johnny was involved in rodeo his whole life. Bronc Riding, roping and as a pickup man at many rodeos in Saskatchewan. He was chute boss for the Sask Landing Rodeos and was instrumental in getting the Kyle Rodeo started. He received a Working Cowboy award at Agribition Rodeo in Regina and was awarded the first Builders of Rodeo award by the Canadian Cowboys Association in 2011.

Johnny retired in 1984 and moved to their new home in Kyle, where he lived with his wife Mary until his passing.

One of Johnny’s favorite past times was building very detailed and complete miniature replica of all of the Matador Headquarters, East Camp and corrals etc. He also kept busy collecting and fixing saddles, building stirrups with wood and rawhide and watching rodeo. Johnny enjoyed travelling to the Rempel family reunions to visit relatives. He especially loved to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren and took every opportunity to tease them.

Johnny is survived by his wife of 70 years Mary, his children Gary Rempel (Jody), Kenny Rempel (Rhonda), Wade Rempel (Cindy) and Kathy Strandquist (Brad);  grandchildren  Kevin Rempel (Tracy), Shelley Rempel, Kristy Machan (Darren), Jamie Packard (Tyler), Bobbi Jo Rempel (Ryan McDowell), Casey Rempel (Alaina) and Cody Strandquist;  great-grandchildren Ryan Gerl, Samantha Rempel, Riley Rempel, Cruz Packard, Benz Packard, Thaddeus Machan and Laine McDowell;  siblings  Loella, Helen, Sheila, Judy and Marvin.  Johnny was predeceased by his parents George and Margaret Rempel, daughter Carol Rempel, siblings Wanda, Veriena, Dorothy, Eldon, Jake, Harry and Jim.

A Celebration of John's Life and Luncheon was held on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Kyle Elks & Community Hall. Donations in memory of John may be made to a charity of choice.