Obituary of Wolfgang Andreas Martin Friedel

~~April 9, 1946 – September 10, 2017

On September 10, 2017 Wolfgang A Friedel passed away peacefully at his home in the presence of his loving wife Carol at the age of 71.
Wolfgang is survived by his loving wife Carol as well as his five children and their spouses Rebekah and Sebastian Leskiw, Natascha and Kelly Stewart, Wolfgang and Rhonwyn Friedel, Angelique and Jared Hislop, Tristan and Janice Friedel. He also had 14 grandchildren, four of which are married, and four great grandchildren. Whether you were natural born or an in-law he loved all his family as his. He is survived as well by four siblings and their spouses along with many nieces and nephews, sisters and brother’s in-law, including the sister in-law of his now deceased brother.

Wolfgang was born on April 9, 1946 to his loving parents Erwin and Cacilia Friedel in Haan Germany. He was raised most of his life in Hilden with his siblings. On many occasions Wolfgang spoke fondly of his adventures with his brothers playing in the forests and old buildings of Germany. He had a great love and respect for his own father and as an adult tried very hard to be the kind of man that would have made him proud. He strived to be like his father.

At the age of 19 Wolfgang came to Canada with his family and moved onto a farm in Harriston Ontario.  There he helped his father and brothers run a dairy farm.  On February 3, 1968 Wolfgang married his wife of now 49 years, Carol Oakley in Fordwich Ont. They quickly started their family and had three children Rebekah, Natascha and Wolfgang. Nine years later they had Angelique. When Angelique was two years old, Wolfgang moved his family to Grande Prairie, Alberta. Two years later they had Tristan. Wolfgang continued to raise his family in Grande Prairie seeing each of his children married and welcomed 14 grandchildren and later 4 great grandchildren to his family.

Wolfgang was a very active family man. His family was the most important thing to him. Even though his family continued to grow he loved and spent time with each and every one. There was never a time he did not want them around right down to the very youngest.  Wolfgang had many passions including classical music, poetry and reading. He shared his passion for reading and history with several of his grandsons spending hours in deep discussion with them. He also enjoyed playing chess and loved to teach this to his children and grandchildren even down to the youngest.  He loved to see their minds learn to strategize.  Wolfgang had a strong mind for math as well and taught all the secrets of numbers.  Some were better at it then others but he was always patient.

Wolfgang had a large and loving heart whether it was his family or someone he knew in the Congregation or work, if you were in need, he gave to a fault, never wanting to see any do without or suffer. His favorite scripture was 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 on love and he strived to show this to all.

As a Jehovah’s Witness Wolfgang’s faith was very important.  As a father and grandfather, he made every effort to teach that Jehovah was real and part of each of our lives. Prayer was always vital in the home and always encouraged. He was an active part of the congregation up to his death. Even when he couldn’t leave his home anymore he always attended meetings even by phone; attending up to the day of his death.

Wolfgang was a large imposing strong willed proud man. To any who knew him though he was always gentle and kind, generous and loving and could always make you feel like it was going to be all right. Simply by wrapping his arms around you the world seemed right.
He will be missed by all.
A Memorial Service for Wolfgang Friedel will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2017 1pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 10135-128 Avenue,  Grande Prairie.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Worldwide Work of Jehovah’s witnesses would be welcome.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home (780) 830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com