BONN, Armin
February 28, 1935 — April 21, 2020
Armin Bonn was born in Skrzypkowo, Lipno, Poland on February 28, 1935. He was always known as a person of peace, and when recently asked what helped make him that way, he smiled and said, “I had a wonderful Mother.”
He came to Canada on the Beaverbrae ship in July 1948, with his mother and three of his siblings. They travelled across Canada and eventually arrived in Pincher Creek, where they stayed and worked on his grandfather’s farm for two years. From there they went to Barrhead, where he got his first glimpse of Tabea. The “sparks” did not fly until later when Armin and Tabea were both in Ontario as part of the bridal party, when Tabea’s brother married Armin’s sister. Armin returned to Lethbridge, trained and worked as a plumber. He later surprised Tabea when he returned and visited her in Ontario. His two-week visit was extended and within a month they fell in love, planned a wedding and got married in 1957. They returned to Lethbridge and Armin worked as a plumber and on the maintenance team at the hospital. Deborah, Carol and David were born during these Lethbridge years.
Armin and family followed his Mom, siblings and their families to Kelowna in 1970 hoping to run an orchard for a few years, then subdivide the land into lots. However, the agricultural land freeze has kept the land as orchard. Armin always wondered how he managed working as a plumber while running the orchard. He and Tabea were a great, hardworking team. Armin worked physically into his early eighties. Then because of kidney and heart failure he grew weaker. Armin and Tabea will forever be grateful to David who manages the orchard and faithfully cared for them, enabling Armin to live his last days there. One of Armin’s last wishes was to live to age 85. By God’s grace this wish was fulfilled this past February.
Armin will be forever remembered as a man who loved God and others. His home and heart were always open to family, friends, customers, strangers, and the lonely. He adored Tabea, who cared for him with such love and compassion, right up to his dying breath. He was a wonderful Dad who loved and listened to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed growing things and God’s creation. Armin was greatly supported by Pastor Andy Dietrich, caring family, and friends who met needs for friendship, encouragement, prayer, as well as homemade soup and baking. The family also appreciates the compassionate care of Dr. Burget.
Armin had a great desire for heaven, especially in the last few months as life became very difficult. He was greatly comforted by music and the word of God, and his booming bass voice will now join the chorus of heaven. Armin died peacefully at home on April 21, 2020, listening to the morning birds welcoming a new day. He is now forever home with his Lord and Saviour.
Armin is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Tabea; children: Deborah Kennedy (Dean, grandsons Curtis and Joel) Carol (Brian, grandson Jason (Elizabeth, great granddaughter Lily), grandson Ian (Sophie, great grandson Johnathan) David (Melissa, granddaughters Madisen and Mackenna); siblings: Walter (Helene) Bonn, Edmund Bonn, Martha Schulz, Arthur (Ursula) Bonn and brother-in-law Alfred Schmidtke.
Predeceased by parents Adolf and Alma; siblings in childhood: Leo, Emil, Lilli; sister Alice Schmidtke; great grandson Bruno Klammer; sister-in-law Helen Bonn and brother-in-law Oswald Schulz
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kelowna Gospel Mission. The family video tribute is below. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of BONN Armin February 28 1935 — April 21 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique