Jack Spenst passed away peacefully on April 13, 2011 at age 84 in Cascade Hospice, Chilliwack. He was born September 29, 1926 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Gerhard and Mary (Quiring) Spenst, the oldest of 11 children.
His early years were spent in Winnipeg where he attended Lord Kitchener School. He then studied for one year at Success Business College.
In 1949 the Spenst family moved from Manitoba to BC where he remained for the rest of his life. Chilliwack was home for almost 60 years.
Jack worked with his father in the plastering business for 22 years. He was also employed as a bookkeeper for eight years. His last job was custodian at Broadway Church where he worked for 17 years until his retirement at age 67.
Jack was a man of deep faith in God. This faith helped him through all of life, both the good times and the difficult. Jack was baptized and became a member of Broadway Church in 1949. Church life was very important to him; he rarely missed a Sunday service. His involvement was extensive. Jack was also a member of the Men’s Fellowship Group for 30 years and volunteered on the board of Cheam Housing for many years. In his youth Jack played ice hockey and later spent countless hours watching hockey, baseball and football on TV. He had a membership at Cheam Golf Centre where he golfed three times a week for 14 years. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles and games, dominoes in particular. Jack was devoted to his family and extended family and always looked forward to being together.
Jack was an orderly person, diligent and disciplined in all that he did. He was dependable and could always be counted on to do what he promised. He was a man of integrity, and possessed great patience, contentment and an uncritical spirit. He will be remembered as a gentle, quiet man with a delightful sense of humour.
Jack was predeceased in 2007 by Erna, his wife of 53 years, his parents, his brother Nick, brothers-in-law Arne Brendstrup and Aron Krahn, and son-in-law Stan Rempel.
He will be greatly missed by his daughter Carol Veer (Terry) and their children, Kyle (Jocelyn) and Katelyn; daughter Kathy Rempel and her children, Derek and Kelsey; brothers George (Marge), John (Shirley); sisters Nettie Funk (Cornie), Mary Krahn, Tena Gerbrandt (Ted), Sue Wiens (Dave), Margaret Brendstrup, Helen Redekop (Peter), Betty Bartel (Fred); and many other relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00 pm at Chilliwack Cemeteries, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 pm at Broadway Church.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com