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HARRY SCHELLENBERG
Born: Mar 10, 1939
Date of Passing: Nov 20, 2024
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHARRY SCHELLENBERG
Harry Schellenberg passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on November 20, 2024, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 85 years old.
He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Irene of 49 years; his son Harold (Shannon), his daughter Angela (Burl); and his grandchildren, Luke, Tyler, Anna and Henry. He is survived by his sisters, Margaret (Harold) Hoffman, and Kay Block, four sisters-in-law, mother-in-law Maria Heidebrecht, and extended family and friends. Harry was predeceased by his parents, Isaac and Katherina (nee Froese) Schellenberg, sister Sarah; brothers, Henry, Peter, John, Rudy and Eddie.
Harry was born and raised on a farm near Boissevain, Manitoba. He enjoyed living and working on the family farm and often reminisced about those years. After graduating from Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, he pursued his dream of becoming a teacher.
After graduating from Teachers College, Harry began teaching in rural Manitoba with much joy and enthusiasm, all the while taking night and summer classes to eventually earn his B.A., B.Ed., and M.Ed. from the University of Manitoba. He taught in schools near Homewood, Melita, Carman and Morden, then spent 25 years teaching history at River East Collegiate and several years at Stony Mountain Penitentiary.
Church, family and faith were always central to Harry’s life. He was baptized upon confession of his faith on May 25, 1958, in Boissevain. In 1975, he married Irene Heidebrecht and they settled in North Kildonan, where they attended Douglas Mennonite Church and raised their two children. Harry was a strong advocate for early childhood education. He was the founding president of Manitoba Parents for German Education, and helped bring the German bilingual program to River East School Division in 1981.
In 1993, Harry was honoured to be elected as MLA for the Constituency of Rossmere and served for a total of 10 years as a member of the NDP caucus under the leadership of Gary Doer. Harry always had a passion for serving his community and helping others, and was inspired to enter politics by the example of Tommy Douglas. He most enjoyed the work at the constituency level, and he was honoured to serve for a time as Deputy Speaker of the House.
In his retirement, Harry enjoyed gardening, meeting friends at the local coffee shop, watching hockey, football and curling, and cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events. One of the highlights of his retirement was travelling to the village of Grigorievka, Ukraine and discovering his original family home.
The family will be forever grateful to Dr. P. Czaykowski, Dr. V. Banerji, Dr. D. Martin, nurses, Denise Klassen, Kija Milinkovic and the Palliative team at home and at St. Boniface for their kind and compassionate care during his 18-year struggle with cancer.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Douglas Mennonite Church, 1517 Rothesay Street, Winnipeg, with viewing prior to service. Interment to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens.
Donations in memory of Harry may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 30, 2024, Nov 30, 2024
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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For various reasons, I was not a big fan of school in the late 1970s. I think I must have skipped about half of my grade 11 year. One thing though that kept me attending was Harry’s grade 11 history class. It was here that I learned much about Canadian politics and history. Harry had a way of making the content relevant and interesting. And as I found myself teaching the same class years later (to my own shock and surprise!), I drew upon the lessons learned from Harry. I bumped into him a few times in later years and we always had a good chat. Great guy and will be sorely missed. - Posted by: Rick Haley (Student) on: Mar 29, 2025
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Harry, a trusted friend, not of the same political stripe but with the hope for the same common political good. Yes, we worked together on numerous projects, the floodway expansion (Duffs Ditch) the great example of your success and financial success and a commonsense result being one example. Gary was blessed with your presence as well as Mb citizens. Irene Schellenberg and family, Harry will no doubt be missed as well as many constituents and a sure he has earned great respect from OUR LORD and CREATOR. Rest in Peace Harry. - Posted by: Cam Neirinck (Friend with high respect) on: Dec 08, 2024
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Our condolences to Irene and family. Harry was a great teacher and professional in all ways. He was a fellow colleague and friend. Harry helped us advocate for better health care for our son after his accident, for which we will be forever grateful. May you rest in peace Harry. Will and Helga Berger - Posted by: Will & Helga Berger (Friend and colleague) on: Dec 07, 2024
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Mr. Schellenberg came in & out of my life frequently since he taught me history in the early 90s. He showed such a great passion for politics and educating future voters. It was no surprise when he showed up at my doorstep canvassing some years later for his MLA position and rightfully won it. Then unexpectedly meeting him up at his favorite coffee shop with my mom.!. He’s so generously passed on so many lapel pins that he collected over his years in the legislature. He was always so kind and hopeful. You could really see the fruits of the spirit working through him. My love and prayers to the family. - Posted by: Viola Pritchard (Student and friend) on: Dec 07, 2024
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Harry was a man of great principle, but he was also a practical politician who loved his community and enjoyed exchanging ideas with members of the community wherever he met them. He was also a true gentleman who spoke to people honestly and respectfully. I always looked forward to meeting him at a political event or a coffee shop to get his perspective on important issues or just to hear some good stories. I will miss him. My deepest sympathy to Irene and the entire family. - Posted by: Eugene Szach (FRIEND) on: Dec 06, 2024
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My condolences to Irene and family. May Harry rest in peace. We shared many a moment sitting beside one another in the Leg. Harry was a real gentleman and will be missed. - Posted by: Linda Asper (Friend) on: Dec 03, 2024
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To Irene and family, David and I would like to express our sincere condolences on the loss of Harry. - Posted by: Judy Kroeker Lusty (Friend) on: Dec 03, 2024
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Harry was a long-time friend of both my husband Lorne & myself. He was a kind, politically passionate individual who always had time for a “discussion”. He and Irene were gracious and welcoming whenever Lorne & I dropped by their home. He will be missed. - Posted by: Judy Topolniski (Friend) on: Dec 03, 2024
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I have fond memories of Harry. He was always there to help with any political issues that I had during my tenure as president of Valley Gardens community center. He was a pillar of the community and will be sadly missed. - Posted by: Jim Feakes (Past president of VGCC) on: Dec 02, 2024
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I had Mr Shellenberg as my history teacher in 1989-1990 at REC. He was one of my favourite and most memorable teachers. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Darcie Sommerfeld (Former student) on: Nov 30, 2024
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AS staff in the legislature I got to know Harry very well. Had many pleasant conversations in the Chamber. Always down to earth and dedicated to his position. A good man. - Posted by: Blake Dunn (Acquaintance) on: Nov 30, 2024