Abe Fehr

Obituary

Abe was born on a cold winter’s day in Haskett, MB. A snowplane had to be sent out to bring the doctor. The plane took out several stretches of barbed wire fencing during landing; after all the commotion, Dad was delivered safely and placed in the arms of his mother.

Dad came into this world like a lion, but left like a lamb.

He was the fourth child of David and Annie Fehr, the fourth of thirteen siblings.

At three years old, his family moved to a small acreage in Grunthal. Dad loved working in the garden with his father there and always said that’s where they had the best talks.

Dad started working at 12 years old in the beet fields and on farms as a helper. He gave all his earnings to his parents until a month before he married our Mom, the love of his life.

Dad met our mom, Agatha, at a wedding. He came over, pulled her onto the dance floor, and had her do the butterfly with him. That started a sixty-one year love story. They were wed on November 14th, 1964 and spent their one honeymoon night at the St. Vital Hotel.

Dad worked construction during the first few years of marriage and was part of the cat and scraper team working on the Red River Floodway.

The first winter, Dad and Mom stayed at her parents’ home. In spring, they purchased a house trailer. Dad moved from jobsite to jobsite for two years, and in 1966 their life of two became a family of three. Their first daughter, Arlene, was born, and one day less than a year later, they welcomed Valerie.

Dad had hurt his back as a young man. With a new family and Mom’s support, he went for back surgery. A year after his recovery, he entered Red River College and earned his Mechanics License. There must have been something in the oil – Dad welcomed a baby boy, Andrew, in the fall.

With a growing family, Dad started a job at Landmark Feeds as a feed delivery driver. This became a job of commitment and pride for thirty years.

During those years, Dad was blessed with two more little blonde beauties, Sandra and, a few years later, Carolyn. Almost six years later, baby boy Daniel, then Jonathan were born. Two more sons. His family was complete.

Dad retired in 1999 and worked for a farmer during harvest for a few years.

In 2012, Dad had to undergo back surgery and while recovering, he was diagnosed with B-cell Lymphoma in 2013. He fought hard, was determined, and had been in remission since. He was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in his retirement years.

In 2023, Dad and Mom moved from the Bristol Area to Steinbach. Dad spent much of the last few years going to music festivals, camping, fishing – but mostly, he enjoyed spending time with Mom.

Dad was diagnosed with heart failure in January 2025. He spent time at the Health Science Center and Bethesda Hospital.

On Thursday, July 24th, 2025 at 7:30pm, with the love of his life by his side, Agatha, and his children and grandchildren, Dad passed away as he always wanted to – peacefully.

Dad was predeceased by two grandsons, Mason and Ashton; his sisters Ann, Dorothy, Elma, and Rose; and three brothers, David, Joseph, and Deitrich.

Abe leaves to mourn his love and wife of 61 years, Agatha; his children Arlene (Tim), Valerie (Pete), Andrew (Dawn), Sandra (Jeff), Carolyn (Wayne), Daniel, and Jonathon; twenty grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Dad always kept his positive attitude, his faith, and his love for his wife and family at the forefront of his life.

He will be forever in our hearts.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing prior to the service. Burial will follow after the reception at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.