Obituary for Richard Dreger
Our beloved Richard went to be with his Lord and Saviour on October 30, 2020 at the age of 75 after years of struggles with his health and his last years with dementia. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.
Richard was blessed with a large and devoted family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Renate. Also missed by his children Robert, Kristy (Shawn) and Steven (Lauren) and his granddaughters Taylor, Ellie and Shae. His brother Ed (Shirley); stepsister Loni; uncle Alex (Lydia) and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Rudolf and Olga (Boettcher) Dreger and his brothers Erwin, Arthur, Jonas and sisters Marlis, Adele, Elsie and Olga.
Richard was born in Poland on March 5, 1945. Just after the war his mother and Aunt Lucy fled from Poland alone with their ten children. This was a desperate time and as the youngest child Richard almost did not survive and ended up spending a year in hospital with his brother Ed. During this time they reunited with his father and in 1953 his family immigrated from Germany and came to Canada for a better life.
Richard’s wife Renate’s family immigrated to Canada the same year and he often joked that he followed Renate to Canada to marry her. Both their families were members of the same church in Canada, Immanuel Pentecostal Church (now called My Church). Their families became best friends and they saw each other often as children. On September 5, 1970 he married Renate Arndt, the love of his life.
Richard accepted the Lord in October of 1978 and was baptized with Renate on New Years Eve, 1978. He loved his time with the chapel brass band and played seven different instruments over the years. He was a loyal member of IPC until he graduated to heaven.
His tireless love and devotion to his family were evident through his life until his final moments. One of his biggest accomplishments was being a father and his most precious occasions were the birth of his children, Robert, Kristy and Steven. He loved his family and enjoyed watching it grow. His granddaughters Taylor, Ellie and Shae became the twinkle in his eyes. His family all knew they were loved by him because he told them every time he saw them, followed with a hug.
Richard was a good provider and hard worker. When he said he would help you, you could count on him. He worked as a bricklayer until he got married and changed his career to a Winnipeg Transit bus driver. He was extremely proud at the end of his transit career that he had the number one seniority badge.
Richard had a way with people and making everyone in the room smile. His love for his family was unconditional and his sense of humour, kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Many thanks to the staff at Victoria Hospital 4N for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, thank you to the staff at Misericordia Health Centre PRIME. It was a wonderful place for Richard and we thank you for treating Richard like family – especially Wendy & Dr. Tretiak. Also a special thank you to Kenn Malaluan who cared for Richard in the last months.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Richards memory to the Home of the Good Shepard’s Ministries in Brazil. The mailing address is: PO Box 34127, RPO Ft. Richmond, Winnipeg , MB, R3T 5TS.
Interment by invitation only due to restrictions will be held November 7, 2020 at 2pm.
Timothy 4:7. I fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.
Richard was blessed with a large and devoted family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Renate. Also missed by his children Robert, Kristy (Shawn) and Steven (Lauren) and his granddaughters Taylor, Ellie and Shae. His brother Ed (Shirley); stepsister Loni; uncle Alex (Lydia) and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews and their families.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, Rudolf and Olga (Boettcher) Dreger and his brothers Erwin, Arthur, Jonas and sisters Marlis, Adele, Elsie and Olga.
Richard was born in Poland on March 5, 1945. Just after the war his mother and Aunt Lucy fled from Poland alone with their ten children. This was a desperate time and as the youngest child Richard almost did not survive and ended up spending a year in hospital with his brother Ed. During this time they reunited with his father and in 1953 his family immigrated from Germany and came to Canada for a better life.
Richard’s wife Renate’s family immigrated to Canada the same year and he often joked that he followed Renate to Canada to marry her. Both their families were members of the same church in Canada, Immanuel Pentecostal Church (now called My Church). Their families became best friends and they saw each other often as children. On September 5, 1970 he married Renate Arndt, the love of his life.
Richard accepted the Lord in October of 1978 and was baptized with Renate on New Years Eve, 1978. He loved his time with the chapel brass band and played seven different instruments over the years. He was a loyal member of IPC until he graduated to heaven.
His tireless love and devotion to his family were evident through his life until his final moments. One of his biggest accomplishments was being a father and his most precious occasions were the birth of his children, Robert, Kristy and Steven. He loved his family and enjoyed watching it grow. His granddaughters Taylor, Ellie and Shae became the twinkle in his eyes. His family all knew they were loved by him because he told them every time he saw them, followed with a hug.
Richard was a good provider and hard worker. When he said he would help you, you could count on him. He worked as a bricklayer until he got married and changed his career to a Winnipeg Transit bus driver. He was extremely proud at the end of his transit career that he had the number one seniority badge.
Richard had a way with people and making everyone in the room smile. His love for his family was unconditional and his sense of humour, kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Many thanks to the staff at Victoria Hospital 4N for their loving care and support during his final days. Also, thank you to the staff at Misericordia Health Centre PRIME. It was a wonderful place for Richard and we thank you for treating Richard like family – especially Wendy & Dr. Tretiak. Also a special thank you to Kenn Malaluan who cared for Richard in the last months.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Richards memory to the Home of the Good Shepard’s Ministries in Brazil. The mailing address is: PO Box 34127, RPO Ft. Richmond, Winnipeg , MB, R3T 5TS.
Interment by invitation only due to restrictions will be held November 7, 2020 at 2pm.
Timothy 4:7. I fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.