HENRY BOLDT

FEBRUARY 20, 1920 - NOVEMBER 15, 2019

Henry H. Boldt died gently on November 15, 2019 after a long and full life. He was born on February 20, 1923 in Alexanderfeld, South Russian and lived 96 years, 8 months and 25 days. We deeply mourn his passing yet rejoice that he is united with his beloved wife, Lydia.

Henry leaves behind a family that loved him dearly: his daughters Beverly (Harv) Klassen and Janet (Ernie Doerksen); grandchildren, Tim (Dulci) Klassen, Chris (Dave) Harms, Rick (Adel) Klassen, Angie (Jeff Bailey) Doerksen, Heather (Jesse Frender) Doerksen, and Jonathan (Gillian) Doerksen; 11 great-grandchildren, Evan and Kyle Harms, Nathaniel, Ella and Benjamin Klassen, Julia and Dean Klassen, Leif and Celeste Bailey, and Solomon and Edith Frender; 2 brothers, Peter (Jenny) Boldt and Jake (Emily) Boldt, and two in-laws, Betty Dick and Frieda Andres, along with cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, Lydia, his parents, Heinrich and Margareta, two sisters, Anne (Neufield) and Betty (Gerard), and one brother, Nick Boldt.

Henry was the second child of Heinrich and Margareta (Harder) Boldt and immigrated to Canada in 1926. Initially the family settled in La Salle, Manitoba and then moved to Oak Bluff where they tried to make a living by farming. But these were lean times and farming failed, so when the family moved to Winnipeg, Henry quit school in Grade 8 and found a job. He was a keen learner and a hard worker. Henry was a dedicated Christian with a strong faith and was baptized in 1939 in the Red River.

In 1946 the family moved to Yarrow, BC and there in August, 1947 Henry met Lydia Suderman from Ontario, who was working in BC that summer. They fell in love and were married in 1948, settling down to farm in the Fraser Valley. But the flood of 1948 altered this completely and they sold what little they had and moved to Ontario where Lydia’s family lived, and Henry got a job at General Motors in St. Catharines. He worked faithfully there as a lead hand for 34 years and retired in 1982. He and Lydia were charter members of Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church in St. Catharines.

In 1990 Henry and Lydia moved to Abbotsford, BC to be near their daughters and grandchildren. Here they enjoyed a full life together, involving themselves in Bakerview Church, volunteering, entertaining family and numerous friends, and enjoying many cruises. In 2008 Lydia died suddenly a day after their 60th wedding anniversary and Henry was bereft and in shock, but he deepened the roots of his faith and carried on with abundant friends and family. Henry enjoyed history and geography, learned to navigate the computer in his 80’s, and loved fishing and having a cup of coffee with friends. He was well known for his interest in cars, and for keeping his vehicles immaculate.

In 2016 Henry suffered a debilitating stroke and required full care. Despite increasing vascular dementia over the next 3 years Henry continued to deeply enjoy his family and friends and made many new friends. He was known for his large but gentle hands and his tall, dignified stature. He is remembered as a kind and caring person who loved deeply and always took a keen interest in others. He is greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

A memorial will be held on December 2 at 2 p.m. at Bakerview Church in Abbotsford. Donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.