July 28, 1934 - November 26, 2022
In loving memory ~
Wilf was born July 28, 1934, to Gustav and Frieda Oeste in Hannover, Germany, the second of four siblings. His family spent part of the WW2 years as evacuees in a farming village. Returning to Hannover, the family waited two years for the return of their POW dad from Russia.
Once Wilf finished school, he learned how to build and repair organs. The family left for Canada in 1953, eventually settling in Winnipeg. He worked with an organ company, before learning oil and gas fitting skills. He followed his fiancée Heidi Reimann to Kitimat, where he worked in the Alcan pot-lines, (later dry scrubbers). They married on November 16, 1957, and had four children. They attended the German Baptist, then the First Baptist Church where Wilf was an active member.
Wilf used his woodworking skills to build a sailboat, furniture, and make home improvements. He loved to sail and fish. In 1993, he and Heidi retired to Crofton where he continued to sail. After selling his boat, they moved to Abbotsford in 2001 where church life, family, friendships and activities were enjoyed.
He moved into assisted living at Menno Place in 2017 then to Menno Hospital where he passed away on November 26, 2022. He accepted difficulties with patience and good humour.
His parents and older brother, Gerhard, predeceased him and he is survived by siblings Christel and Friedhelm. He leaves his wife, Heidi, daughters Sonja (Henry) Zukowski, Verena (Jim) Hepting, Wendy Morneau and son Elby Oeste and also his grandchildren, Anjuli (Travis Read), Mark and Paul Zukowski, John, Nathan and Nicole Hepting, Chantelle and Jeanelle Morneau. Sadly, Wendy also passed two months later on Jan. 26, 2023.
He loved his time in Kitimat and chose to be interred here next to his Reimann in-laws. He will be remembered with love and gratefulness.