Rosa Kehler (nee Fehr)
Obituary
In loving memory of Rosa Kehler, who passed away July 12, 2025, at the Hospice House in Kelowna, British Columbia at the age of 81. Rosa Kehler was born in Grunthal, Manitoba to David and Annie Fehr. On July 8, 1960, Rose was invited by her neighbors to a Janz Team Crusade, where she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and June 17, 1962, was baptized.
Rose was very happily married to her first husband Jacob Wiebe for 12 years. Jacob was a pulpit supply speaker so was in a different church every Sunday rotating every month. Rose used to say, “I go to a different church every Sunday but have the same pastor.” Rose also joined him in family camp ministry every summer in Minnesota, USA.
A couple of years after her husband’s passing, Rose married Bill Kehler. They also enjoyed a very happy marriage. Both had been involved in mission work, Bill in Alaska and Rose in Brazil. Other common interests included visitation ministry, teaching the word of God and tract distribution. They especially enjoyed visiting and encouraging the elderly and the lonely in person or by phone.
One of Rose’s highlights was attending Nipawin Bible College from where she graduated in 1971. What she held most dear in her life was the word of God. As a teenager, Rose longed to know the purpose of life. She found the answer in her loving Savior and the Word of God.
The answer was clear, the one who created her wanted to have fellowship with her now and for eternity, as Jesus himself said that he went to prepare a place for us so that we could be with him forever. He also said to pour our hearts out to him. “That settled it. I could talk to him whatever was on my heart, and he would talk to me through his Word. The one who created me wanted to have fellowship with me – wow!”
Another one of Rose’s highlights was working in the nursing home in Saskatchewan with her sister, Margaret, who was a great example for her young Christian life. Rose never forgot those great times together.
After returning from Brazil, she enjoyed working at the Rehab and Physio department. As her back deteriorated she had to resort to lighter work in home care.
One of the activities Rose would also put on top of her list would be hiking. She and her friends would rent a cabin for a few days through the summer and after a day of hiking, they enjoyed reading or a time of fellowship in the Word.
Rose had the joy of serving in various ministries. While living in Shaunvon, Saskatchewan, she was involved in Pioneer Girls Club as guide and leader and as junior Sunday school teacher at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Rose also loved camp ministry. In Saskatchewan, she had the privilege of serving as teen camp counselor. While waiting for her visa to Brazil in Toronto, she was invited to be the main speaker at Junior camp. In all of this, her one goal was to glorify her Lord. In Brazil Rose ministered in children’s Bible clubs in a number of villages and to several women’s groups always supporting church planting and training nationals.
In 2019 Rose heard for the first time that she had cancer in her left lung and melanoma on her right shoulder. In September, her left lower lobe was removed and in November the melanoma was taken care of. She was told she was cancer free. After two years, her cancer had returned to her left lung and spread to her right lung. In 2024 cancer had spread to her liver and her bones. Rose had five days of radiation to her midback region where the cancer had fractured her vertebrae. Rose was determined to stay positive knowing the very end result was being with the Lord himself and all those who had gone before.
Rose was predeceased by her parents, David and Anne Fehr, her brothers Dave, Joe, Diedrich, and her sisters, Anne, Alma, Dorothy.
She is lovingly remembered by her beloved husband, Bill; her brothers Abe (Agatha) Fehr of Steinbach, MB; Lawrence (Gloria) Fehr of Mendoza, MB; Les (Mary Ellen) Fehr of Grunthal, MB; Leonard Fehr of Winnipeg, MB; and Norman (Kim) Fehr of Mitchell, MB; her sister Margaret Sordahl of Calgary, AB; her aunt, Margaret Reimer of Grunthal, MB; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended families – the Wiebes and the Kehlers – and many cherished friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Crossings Funeral Care, followed by a time of fellowship in the reception centre.
