Diedrich (Dick) Buhler

Obituary

Diedrich Buhler, age 86, of Niverville, MB., formerly of Winnipeg, MB., passed away peacefully with family by his side, Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

He is survived by his four children, daughter Darlene and husband John, son Randy and wife Kris, son Richard and wife Cindy, daughter Sherry and husband Mark. Dick was blessed with 11 grandchildren. Jenni-Lynn and husband Dale, Adam and wife Mandy, Melissa and husband Richard, Maliry and husband Angelo, Jeremiah and wife Heidi, Evan, Dana and husband Bud, Michaela and husband Ben, Callum, Tanner and wife Bella and Brenna, 18 great-grandchildren Elliot, Oliver, Asher, Cannon, Annabel, Savannah, Zachariah, Hayes, Jeriah, Emma, Rone, Bennett, Sena, Francis, Robin, Copelin, Auden and Jack. He is also survived by his brother Bill and wife Irma, and brother-in-law, Ron.

He was predeceased by his parents John and Nettie Buhler, his wife Esther, six sisters and nine brothers.

Dick was born on July 31, 1939, to John and Nettie Buhler near Arden MB. He was the third youngest of 17 children. Growing up in a large family, he would help on the farm and enjoyed trapping and hunting with his brothers. In his late teens, he moved to Steinbach, then Winnipeg where he lived most of his adult life. On August 28, 1960, at the age of 21, he married Esther Funk back in Arden, Manitoba. They made Winnipeg home to raise their family, first in St. Vital then on Fraser Road in St. Germain.

Dick personally built the family homes at both of these locations. After retirement, they moved to Landmark and then on to the Heritage Life Community in Niverville.

Thanks to his parents’ influence and teaching, Dick received Jesus as his personal Savior at a young age. Faith was always central in his family home, which he carried into his home with Esther. He was always active in the churches they attended and poured himself into various roles, including serving as deacon for many years. His generous spirit and heart to serve came from a deep faith and sincere desire to live out his faith as written in the Scriptures.

Life became very busy for Dick. He worked as a contractor for almost 40 years, alongside being extensively involved in church life. He established his contracting company, Linster Construction while raising a family but made sure there was time for camping with the entire family also fishing and hunting with his boys.

Dick loved to volunteer and was privileged to serve on several trips to Ecuador with GMU and many more trips in Canada and the US with Mennonite Disaster Service, rebuilding homes after floods and fires. Dick’s experience as a general contractor greatly helped with the work on these excursions. He found these trips exciting and so rewarding. Dick spent the last number of years volunteering at Union Gospel Mission, going weekly to sort donated clothing until April 2025. He preached there as a young man and did major construction work on their buildings many years later. Union Gospel Mission was always close to his heart.

Dick had many years of pain from cancer treatment. However, even during these last challenging years he chose to live life to the fullest through serving, helping others, visiting with friends in coffee shops, and countless hunting and fishing trips. Time spent with his family was what he treasured most, especially when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with him.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the doctors and staff at Bethesda Regional Health Center for their compassionate care and the kindness and support they showed to all of us. Special thanks are also extended to Nettie and Susan for their care and companionship during his time in the hospital.

The come & go viewing will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Morrow Gospel Church, 755 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Morrow Gospel Church, 755 St Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB. Burial will take place prior to the service at Glenlawn Memorial Gardens, with procession starting from the church at 9:00 a.m.