HANS-REINHARD ENTZ

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HANS-REINHARD ENTZ 1926 - 2017 Surrounded by the love of his family, Hans-Reinhard Entz passed away on February 1, 2017 at the Grace Hospice in Winnipeg. Left to cherish his memory are his wife and friend of 63 years, Elfriede, sons: Martin (Jereleen) and Peter (Sandy); daughters: Margaret and Marlies (Ray); and daughter-in-law Michelle (Gerry), along with 16 grandchildren: Andrea (Adam), Stacey (Mike), Chris, Louis (Chantelle), Amber, Connor, Meghan, Erica, Scott (Jaime), Naomi, Nathan, Amanda (Matt), Matthew, Corey, Reid and Hana who adored him, and three great-grandchildren: Avery, Claire and Finn who were just getting to know him. Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters: Ilse Thiessen of Victoria and Lore (Gerhard) Bergen of California, sisters-in-law: Hannelore Wiebe, Charlotte Penner, and Ursula (Ingo) Zapp, along with many nieces and nephews. Also left behind are friends of many years and new friends at Agape Villa. He was predeceased by his oldest son Harold in 1997, and his brothers-in-law Udo Penner and Franz Thiessen. Hans-Reinhard was born on March 30, 1926 on the family farm near the village of Niedau, Germany. He grew up surrounded by family, neighbours, horses and the day-to-day adventures of the farm, which he loved dearly. He was baptized into the Mennonite faith in 1943 at the Rosenort Mennonite Church. At the age of 17 while attending a local agricultural school, he was drafted into the army and events unfolded that would profoundly change his life. Ultimately the Entz family made the decision to immigrate to Canada to start anew. They found a country that was peaceful, accepting and with new opportunities. While attending a worship service at the Old Sargent Mennonite Church, he cast his eyes on Elfriede Penner, which started a relationship that would last over six decades. They joined First Mennonite Church in 1952 and have been active and loyal members ever since. When he retired from Winnipeg Transit in 1991, he could not have imagined the wonderful years ahead of him. His family, friends, his passion for horses, biking, farming, spending time at the cottage and most importantly being an Opa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, provided endless joy. And we all benefited from his love, support and caring. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Grace Hospice, who treated him with such care and dignity. We would also like to thank our mother Elfriede who cared and nurtured him with such love until his last breath. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, February 7, at 11:00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Avenue, with luncheon to follow. Viewing prior to the service. Interment at Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Grace Hospice or Bethania Personal Care Home, Spiritual Care.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 04, 2017