Obituary for Walter Loewen
Walter Loewen, age 94, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on February 14, 2023.
Walter was born January 14, 1929 in Winkler, Manitoba, a few years after his parents arrived as immigrants. His family moved to Winnipeg a few years later, where his father started a small second-hand business to support the young family during the Great Depression.
At age 12, Walter started helping his father by re-spoking bicycle wheels after school. After completing high school at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, there were no funds available to attend university, so he started working full time in the family business, which started selling used pianos. He soon became a partner in the small business, which they eventually built to become the largest distributor of musical instruments in Canada (Yamaha Canada Music).
Walter served on the board of directors of various church, charitable, and business organizations. He and Eleanor established a charitable foundation to support Christian causes.
He and Eleanor enjoyed spending time in East Braintree, Manitoba, where he enjoyed cleaning up derelict properties he bought. After restoring them to their natural beauty, he donated most of them to various conservation and charitable organizations.
Walter was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his parents William and Olga, his brother William, and his sisters Vera (Enns) and Heidi (Willms). Walter is survived by his brother Robert and his sons Bill, Ron, Dave, and Ed. He leaves 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Walter was born January 14, 1929 in Winkler, Manitoba, a few years after his parents arrived as immigrants. His family moved to Winnipeg a few years later, where his father started a small second-hand business to support the young family during the Great Depression.
At age 12, Walter started helping his father by re-spoking bicycle wheels after school. After completing high school at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate, there were no funds available to attend university, so he started working full time in the family business, which started selling used pianos. He soon became a partner in the small business, which they eventually built to become the largest distributor of musical instruments in Canada (Yamaha Canada Music).
Walter served on the board of directors of various church, charitable, and business organizations. He and Eleanor established a charitable foundation to support Christian causes.
He and Eleanor enjoyed spending time in East Braintree, Manitoba, where he enjoyed cleaning up derelict properties he bought. After restoring them to their natural beauty, he donated most of them to various conservation and charitable organizations.
Walter was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his parents William and Olga, his brother William, and his sisters Vera (Enns) and Heidi (Willms). Walter is survived by his brother Robert and his sons Bill, Ron, Dave, and Ed. He leaves 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.