ROBERT RATZLAFF LOEWEN (BOB)

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ROBERT RATZLAFF LOEWEN
February 23, 1932 - May 23, 2020

Surrounded by the love of his family, Bob (born on February 23, 1932) ascended into heaven on May 23, 2020. Mary, his wife, and James, his son, were at his bedside at Rest Haven Nursing Home; Lois, his daughter, and Gerald, his son, were with the family via video. His grandchildren, Olivia and Iz, were able to say goodbye via video, shortly before he passed away.
Bob is survived by Mary, the love of his life and wife of nearly 67 years, daughter Lois and partner Andrea (Halifax), and two sons, James (Winnipeg) and Gerald (Minneapolis), and two grandchildren, Olivia and Iz. He is also survived by three brothers, Ray, Lavern and Waldy; sister Rachel and foster sister Violet and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father Abraham ("A.T."), his first mother Helena Ratzlaff, his second mother Elizabeth Loewen; five brothers, Levi, David, Henry, Leslie and Glenn; and two sisters, Evelyn and Mathilda.
Bob loved the Lord and the main goal of his life is shown in one of his cherished Bible verses: "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6b). He was very actively involved in the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church. Family life was important and Bob was overjoyed when the arrival of Olivia and Isabelle made him a grandparent.
He devoted over 25 years to the family firm, Loewen Funeral Chapel, and later worked closely with the developmentally delayed, ending his professional career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor. Bob loved playing and watching sports, especially coaching and managing his son James' hockey team. He also loved music, especially playing the piano and singing in the choir.
Bob spent the last two years at Rest Haven Nursing Home, and the family is filled with gratitude for the many kindnesses the staff extended to Bob, Mary and the family.
Donations in Bob's memory can be made to the HavenGroup Foundation, 185 Woodhaven Avenue, Steinbach, Manitoba, R5G 1K7, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rest-haven-foundation-inc/.
Family is also grateful to Birchwood Funeral Chapel for handling the arrangements.
A public online viewing service will be held on Friday, May 29, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a devotional beginning at 7:30 p.m.

To join the family via livestream
please visit the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN8YekZwMTIuyg_fy2tIBQg/live.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

To read this obituary, and offer
your online condolence please visit
www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements by:
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL CO-OP
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030
www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 27, 2020