kehler.ca – Page 27 – Kehlers who honor past and inspire other Berliner Kehler family members

Look Homeward, Nomi: Misreading a Novel as Social History

When Thomas Wolfe set his strongly autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel (1929) in Asheville, North Carolina, his scathing portrayal of his hometown brought a public outcry so severe—he was even threatened with death—that he didn’t dare return to it for seven years. One would not expect responses to a Mennonite novel to be that violent, but Rudy Wiebe’s first novel Peace Shall Destroy Many (1962), which exposed some of the sacred cows of institutionalized Mennonitism, raised a storm that forced him to resign as editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald in Winnipeg and gave him to understand he was no longer welcome in the community.

by Al Reimer

When Thomas Wolfe set his strongly autobiographical novel Look Homeward, Angel (1929) in Asheville, North Carolina, his scathing portrayal of his hometown brought a public outcry so severe—he was even threatened with death—that he didn’t dare return to it for seven years. One would not expect responses to a Mennonite novel to be that violent, but Rudy Wiebe’s first novel Peace Shall Destroy Many (1962), which exposed some of the sacred cows of institutionalized Mennonitism, raised a storm that forced him to resign as editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald in Winnipeg and gave him to understand he was no longer welcome in the community.

Nothing that drastic has happened to Miriam Toews, whose boldly satiric novel A Complicated Kindness is set in East Village, a fictional version of Steinbach, Manitoba. This highly acclaimed work has won Canada’s prestigious Governor General’s Literary Award and other prizes, is still on Canadian best-seller lists a year after publication and has been published to rave reviews in the U. S. and Britain. This “Mennonite” novel obviously enjoys a wide appeal among non-Mennonite readers and critics, but has raised the hackles of some Mennonite readers who know the Steinbach community and see the novel as a vicious attack against the town and, even more importantly, against the very principles of Mennonite faith and practice. Continue reading “Look Homeward, Nomi: Misreading a Novel as Social History”

Kehler Donates Artwork Sculpture to Offender Auction

Among the artists featured is Russell Kehler, a Vancouver parolee who has donated a sculpture of an eagle made of a moose antler.

by Correctional Service Canada

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), in partnership with the Buried Heart Foundation, will host the Inside Out charity auction of offender art at the Elliott Louis Gallery on October 26, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The auction will feature more than 100 pieces of art created and donated by more than 50 offenders serving federal sentences. The artists – inmates from seven institutions in the Pacific Region as well as community parolees – have donated pieces ranging from native carved boxes and hope chests to paintings, stained glass and masks. Continue reading “Kehler Donates Artwork Sculpture to Offender Auction”

Ernest Aron Hiebert Kehler (1932- 2003)

Ernest Aaron Kehler — Ernest Aron Kehler

Peacefully, on Saturday, August 23, 2003, Ernest Kehler, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at the Grace Hospital at the age of 71 years.

Ernie will be sadly missed by his loving wife Eva; daughters Brenda (Cully) and Pamela (Richard); sons Ted (Shirley) and Darryl (Hollie); eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his brothers; Ben and Dave (Irene) and sisters Mary and Kelly, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sisters Susie and Betty, and brothers Jake, Pete, George and John. Continue reading “Ernest Aron Hiebert Kehler (1932- 2003)”

Walter Aaron Wieler Kehler (1923-2003)

Walter Kehler of Delta, BC, formerly of North Vancouver, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2003 at age 79, with his beloved wife Joan and daughters at his side.

Predeceased by his son Wayne in 1980; his parents,John S. and Annie Kehler; brother Henry and Helen; and sister Edna. Continue reading “Walter Aaron Wieler Kehler (1923-2003)”

Elizabeth Doerksen Kehler (1913-2003)

Elizabeth Kehler (nee Doerksen), passed away January 23, 2003 at Bethesda Place in Steinbach, MB. Elizabeth was born on October 11, 1913 at Chortitz, Manitoba. She married Jacob J.K Kehler on July 16, 1933.

She was predeceased by her husband Jacob J.K Kehler, one son Denis and his wife Helena Kehler, one daughter Rosella, and one grandchild Carol Elaine. Continue reading “Elizabeth Doerksen Kehler (1913-2003)”

Robert Andrew Shane Siemens (1991-2003)

Suddenly on January 23, 2003 while at school, Andrew Siemens aged 12 years, precious son of Robert and Judy (nee Wiens) and brother of Jeremy and Carly. Andrew is also survived by his grandmothers, Charlotte Wiens and Lottie Siemens. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Rosenort EMC Church with interment in the church cemetery. Viewing on Monday, January 27 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel and at the church prior to the service. Continue reading “Robert Andrew Shane Siemens (1991-2003)”

Opal Belle Kehler (1925-2003)

Opal Belle Kehler, recently of Mitchell, Man., went to be with her Lord on Jan. 1, 2003.

Opal was predeceased by her parents, George and Edith Polsom; husbands, Wilfred Leduc, John Whitmore, Herman Barkman and George Kehler. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Delbert, George and Gordon; as well as her sister Jean Kiel. Continue reading “Opal Belle Kehler (1925-2003)”

Growing Up and Down in Steinbach

When Del Plett suggested I talk about growing up in Steinbach, I thought it would be an easy and enjoyable talk to prepare. With so many memories and materials to draw on, however, it wasn’t easy to decided what to include and what to leave out. Del had one other suggestion. “We want the Kehler side of your personality”, he said, “not the Reimer side.” I knew what he meant, of course. He wanted me to be lively and funny like my eight Kehler uncles, tell outrageous stories (Schnetteriete) and get you all rolling in the aisles.

By Al Reimer

The trouble is I’m not as funny as my Kehler uncles were (maybe there’s too much sober Reimer in me) and, also, they told their hilarious stories in private and opp Plautdietsch. So far as I know, none of them ever made a public speech, while I’m addressing a large, sophisticated audience and have to do it in English, which for a Mennonite of my generation is not nearly as good a language to be funny in as Low German is.

Read the rest of this article (in PDF), as published in Preservings, No.21, December 2002

Gerhard Hiebert Kehler (1921-2002)

Suddenly on Saturday, December 14, 2002 at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach, George went to be with the Lord at the age of 81 years. He was predeceased by his much-beloved wife of 50 wonderful years Elisabeth (Betty) who passed away in 1997. Continue reading “Gerhard Hiebert Kehler (1921-2002)”

Lila Merle Staples Kehler (1922-2002)

After a lengthy illness and gallant fight, Lila passed away July 26, 2002, surrounded by her loving family. Lila is survived by her husband Ben Kehler; sisters, Hattie (Bill) Mills of Winnipeg, MB, Rita Larocque of Fisher Branch, MB, Thelma Olson of Winnipeg, MB, Violet Mills of Wainwright, AB; sisters-in-law, Mary Daniel of Atlanta, GA, Kelly Larson of Calgary, AB; brothers-in-law, George Kehler of Steinbach, MB, Ernie (Eva) Kehler of Winnipeg, MB, Dave Kehler of Winnipeg, MB; numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. Continue reading “Lila Merle Staples Kehler (1922-2002)”