Ken Schmidtke passed away peacefully on Monday, July 15, 2024, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB., at the age of 82.
He is survived by two sons Mark (April), Brock (Lisa), two grandchildren, Evan and Natalie, his sister Marie Brandt, and extended family members.
He was predeceased by his wife Betty; his parents; his sisters Georgina (Marcel) Pinette, Viriginia (Barney) Bjornson, Eloise (Larry) Auch and brother-in-law Edward Brandt; and his special friend Irene Kroeker.
He was born October 14, 1941, in Steinbach, MB., to Eduard and Juliana (nee Ott) Schmidtke. He grew up in the Steinbach area and enjoyed spending time at the family bicycle shop and listening to his father play the accordion. After graduation he started a career with The Royal Bank of Canada in Winnipeg. His early banking career took him to many places in Manitoba, including Churchill, and a brief posting in Montreal.
He married Betty Mantie on February 16, 1974. His career continued to take them to many rural communities, where they enjoyed activities including curling, snowmobiling and the comradery of his co-workers. In 1975, they moved to Nipigon, ON. The following year they welcomed their first son Mark. A few years later while living in Brandon their second son Brock arrived. In 1982 they moved to Winnipeg where they spent many years until they retired to Steinbach in 2005. In his retirement he and Betty enjoyed volunteering in the community as well as spending time with their family and grandchildren. After Betty’s passing, he re-connected with Irene Kroeker and they shared six years of companionship. In 2020 he returned to Winnipeg to be closer to family.
We would like to thank the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital dialysis unit for all of their support and compassion over the past five years.
The funeral service will be held Friday, July 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 465 Henry Street, Steinbach, MB, with viewing at the church prior to the service.
Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Hwy. 12 South, Steinbach, MB.