Obituaries

MITTELSTAEDT, Martha

September 9, 1928 - March 14, 2023

Martha Mittelstaedt (née Strelau) was born to Henry and Pauline Strelau on September 9, 1928, in the village of Nuri, Poland. She passed away peacefully and entered her eternal rest on March 14, 2023.

In 1945, Martha, her parents, her three brothers and three sisters fled from Poland to Germany to escape the advance of the Russian army at the end of World War II.

They remained in Germany for a short time, but then in 1949, they emigrated to Canada and settled on a farm near Canwood, Saskatchewan. The Strelau family eventually located in Vancouver in 1955.

It was in Canwood that Martha met the love of her life, Kurt Eugene Mittelstaedt. They married in Vancouver, BC, on August 22, 1953. Between 1954 and 1965, they were blessed with eight children.

Kurt and Martha lived in Vancouver until 1961, then went into pastoral ministry. Over the years, they served churches in Leduc, Alberta; London, Ontario; Vernon, BC; Kitchener, Ontario; and Kelowna, BC. In 1989 for a short time, they moved to Vancouver, so Martha could help take care of her aging parents. Later that year, they returned to Kitchener until their retirement in 1996. Then, they moved back to Kelowna and have lived there until now.

Martha was a loving mother, a capable homemaker, a gracious hostess, a caring friend to many, and a strong supportive partner in life and ministry to Kurt. And, of course, an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother. For a time, she also demonstrated her excellent managerial skills in running the Vernon Bethany Home for seniors.

She is predeceased by her elder siblings, Emil and Hanna.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her loving husband, Kurt; eight children and their spouses--Rainer (Elizabeth), Leonard (Marilyn), Anita (Terry), Walter (Patty), Helga (Harry), Herb (Deena), Paul (Claudia), and Marty (Margit); twenty-six grandchildren and their partners; forty-seven great-grandchildren; four siblings--Otto, Richard, Hilda, and Doris; other extended family members and many friends.

Martha will be remembered for her devotion to Christ, her practical faith in God, and her attention to the needs of others.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ministry Essentials Training Program at PAOC Mission Global, www.paoc.org/donate/ministryessentialstrainingprogram-metp.

A Visitation will be held on THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023, at 5:00 PM, at Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC).

A Funeral Service will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC), a reception will follow. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter. Martha will be laid to rest at a private family graveside service, at the Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences, photos, or memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com

Link: www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/mittelstaedt-martha/

Condolence Messages

Mar 26, 2023
Dear Kurt and family, I'm sorry to hear of Martha's passing. She was always positive, sweet and kind. Never wanted to be of trouble to anyone. A truly selfless person who was a pleasure to know. Lisa Broughton - Lisa Broughton
Mar 20, 2023
Dear Kurt and family:
My condolences on the loss of Martha. Martha has been such a lovely part of our family here at Mountainview Village. We will miss her. Rest is peace beautiful lady. - Carolyn Monz
Mar 19, 2023
Special memories of love and laughter to the family of Martha Mittlestaedt. She was such a wonderful person, filled with love, energy, and peace in her heart. As a pre-teen and adolescent, I have special memories of having a lot of laughs with the entire family in London Ontario. Visiting together, having meals together, sharing stories of “the old country in Prussia”! She will be missed by many and especially by you, her family. But, she has left quite a legacy and I’m sure she is very proud of all of you. Thinking of you all. - Karen Schlacht
Mar 18, 2023
Kurt and family.Though your heart must hold deep sadness at the loss of the one you loved,may it also hold the blessings of the life you shared.My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. - Jutta Doering
Mar 17, 2023
Kurt and family. Len and I were so sorry to hear of Martha passing. They were my parents neighbours in The Fountains and they always had a smile and kind words. Thinking of you all
Len and Tannis Moody - Len and Tannis Moody
Mar 17, 2023
Kurt and family. Len and I were so sorry to hear of Martha passing. They were my parents neighbours in The Fountains and they always had a smile and kind words. Thinking of you all
Len and Tannis Moody - Len and Tannis Moody
Mar 17, 2023
Condolences to the family she was well liked . I remember many Sunday afternoons with all the Mittlestaedts and the Schlacht family children playing in the backyard in Birr Ontario sincerely Loretta Bourke nee Schlacht - Loretta Bourke