BERNARD (BEN) JOHN KONRAD

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

BERNARD (BEN) JOHN KONRAD

Bernard (Ben) John Konrad was born on January 13, 1934, in Poplar Hill Alberta. He was the 10th child of Peter Jacob Konrad and Louise Konrad (nee Braun). Ben was born a twin with his sister Louise (Lucy).

While living in Alberta Ben fell off a horse and broke his left arm and a medical misstep resulted in him having reduced mobility in his arm. The family moved from La Glace Alberta to Abbortsford, BC in 1946.

Ben attended the public school in BC and MEI high school and later studied at Briercrest Bible College in Saskatchewan. During this time, he worked at Ness Lake Bible Camp for the summer. This matched up Ben’s love for the Lord, his love of nature and his love of children. He was offered a position by a rural school superintendent to be a teacher in a one-room-school in the Prince George area for a year. This inspired Ben with the teaching bug.

After returning to Vancouver to continue studies to become a teacher, he met Manitoba born Irma. Irma was working at a bank at the time. He and Irma were instantly smitten and they began dating.

Ben moved to Winnipeg to follow the love of his life, Irma. They were married in Winnipeg on August 24, 1963. They would have three children, Rhonda, Melissa and Wesley. After studying geography and education, he became a teacher and guidance counsellor, who spent the bulk of that career at Murdoch McKay Collegate. Teaching allowed him to return with his wife and children to his beloved B.C. every summer break.

Ben loved the outdoors, camping, canoeing and spending time in the woods. He ran the schools rifle club as well as coached the schools curling team. He led outdoor education adventures with students on overnight backpacking trips.

After retiring from teaching he was an entrepreneur, renovating houses and acting as a property manager on properties they owned.

Ben and Irma loved to travel. This included cruises in the Caribbean, travel to the warmer parts of North America and Europe. They finally settled on a routine of spending part of the winters in Florida. This also gave Ben extra time to spend golfing, a true passion.

Ben was generous with time and revelled in sharing the blessings he had in life with all those who met him. He enjoyed men’s breakfasts with friends from church, volunteering at Star Lake Lodge’s work weeks and frequently helping those who needed it. They donated to worthy causes and gave of themselves whenever they could. Ben loved spending time with his children and grandchildren to whom he was a kind, gentle and loving grandfather.

Ben went home to meet the Lord on March 23, 2026, at Bethania Personal Care home in Winnipeg.

He is survived by his loving wife Irma Konrad (nee Fast); daughter Rhonda Konrad and grandchildren Charlie, Shawn, Tyler, Gerald, Yzerman, John and Marlin; daughter Melissa (m. Leigh) and their three children; son Wesley Takeo-Konrad (m. Minami) and grandchildren Edward Konrad, Ayuna Takeo and Jacob Konrad; siblings Lillian Toews (m. John), George Konrad (m. Hilda), Anne Dyck and Louise Friesen; sisters-in-law Candelaria Konrad (nee Areco), Olga Reimer (nee Fast), and Elizabeth Konrad (nee Reimer.)

He is pre-deceased by his parents, siblings Helen Konrad, Mary Epp (m. Ewald), Peter Konrad (m. Maryanne), Jacob Konrad, and Herman Konrad, brothers-in-law Harvey Dyck, Neil Friesen and Edgar Reimer and by grandson Everett.

A service will be held at Portage Avenue Church, 1420 Portage Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Hunter Funerals entrusted with arrangements

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2026