1940 – 2021
The family of Dennis Riedel, age 80, is saddened to announce his passing on January 4th. With a big smile and humor, he persevered different health challenges, and finally succumbed to cancer. Dad lived his life based on strong faith and service to others. For over 40 years he was committed to building and running Waterfellow Enterprises, teaching us the importance of a strong work ethic. Dennis is much loved by family and a wide circle of friends. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce, sons Gordon (Maxine) and Grant (Donna), daughter Andrea (Greg) Niemi and grandchildren Owen (Amy), Drew, Jordy and Ryan, brothers Arnold and Fred Riedel, uncle Albert (Irene) Daniels, brother-in-law Stewart Tod, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dennis had many adventures growing up in the North End of Winnipeg with good friends Dan and Tom but Dad’s heart was in the country. He enjoyed old-time music and the company of family and neighbors at his uncles’ house parties “back in the bush”. He settled near Anola in 1965 with his wife Joyce and they lived there together for all 55 years. Dad was always mechanically minded working with CN, Acklands, Co-op Implements, and eventually building Waterfellow Enterprises with his family, doing small engine repair in Beausejour and heating and plumbing services based out of Anola. The company continues to this day with his son Grant. Dad also tried his hand at cattle farming, with the assistance of neighbors and family, until wisely focusing his efforts on Waterfellow.
Dennis built close and long-lasting relationships with neighbors and his church community. His extended family was an integral and sustaining part of his life. He often kept them busy with prayers on his behalf. Dad joked that he was allergic to gravity, and that the problem wasn’t the fall it was the landing! Accidents altered the way he was able to live his life but, in faith, he maintained a joyful attitude and continued to work and serve with his efforts even spanning continents (e.g., Burundi clinic water well).
Dad loved playing cards, being in the bush to cut wood with friends, and getting away to Moth Lake to fish and relax. He led his sons in Boy Scouts and shared canoe and fishing trip adventures with his children and grandchildren. He cherished his yearly trips to locations across the US and Canada for church celebrations and activities. Dennis was very proud of the accomplishments of his family, including their amateur musical talents.
We thank Dr. de Moissac and the staff of Ste. Anne hospital for all their efforts to care for Dad. We hope to have a memorial service in the future, when we can again gather together. In the meantime, to remember Dad perhaps read Ephesians 2: 8-10, listen to a Marty Robbins tune, go for a walk in the bush, or savor some scotch.
Dad, we thank God for you.
In retirement, Dennis enjoyed recycling scrap to support many charities. Feel free to make a donation to a charity of your choice in his memory.
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George McKenzie
Dear Joyce and family,
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis. He was much loved and respected by all who knew him. We are thankful for his friendship and help over the years and he will be very missed! We are thinking of you and remembering Dennis.
George McKenzie & Julia Penny
Jim and Julie Hughes
Our deepest condolences in the loss of Dennis. He was a very nice kind man who would do anything for family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Al Nordstrom
To all the family of Dennis, so sorry to hear of his passing, I have many good memories of time spent with him and others of his family. You are all in our prayers.❤️
Garry & Marcia Steadman
Thinking of you all at this time. Prayers and hugs to you all. Joyce we are thinking of you and praying for you. Know that Dennis is at peace and with his Saviour.
Karen Johnson
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Dennis, or forever to be referred to as “Papa” in our memories. It’s hard to picture him without a smile or laughing at some joke or story, or just sincerely enjoying life. I am happy he is no longer in pain and can now fall from any roof or truck bed without any consequences!
I imagine him and Mo raising a glass together and celebrating their families they treasured so dearly.
Big love from all of us! Xoxo. Rob, Karen, Maeghan and Trent
Dale
Dear Joyce, Grant, and family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. His passing has made me think deeply on Dennis; businessman, Sermonetter, father, and performer! I remember him up on stage at the “Don Shows”, freaked right out, scared as sh*t, doing something he obviously wanted to always do, with no regard to his own fear. And he did GREAT! But I don’t think it matteredd to him how he did, he just wanted to do it. That will be the memory I have of Dennis…Bold!
David hofer
Many fond memories of the family spanning decades. Condolences to the grieving family who now have to carry on without Dennis.
Candice Perry and Mike Gavin
Our deepest condolences. Uncle Dennis was a supportive relative and was always there to lend a hand. He was a big part of my mother’s childhood as cousins playing together. He will be missed!
M & J Drewniak
Dear Riedel family. Sending you love and prayers during this difficult time. We have so many fond memories of Dennis over the many years. Your family was our family. Still is. We know how difficult his challenges were from various non gravity episodes! His love of family, God, friends and just life, was contagious. He had a special way of making one feel included in whatever activity was happening. .except golf..ha. His memory will live on as we recall our friendship . He was our brother.
Norm & Mathilda Feakes
Goodbye to a good friend and co-volunteer who continued to work as a volunteer in providing breakfast to an elementary school in Elmwood until stopped by Covid19 last year. He will be remembered as a man who walked the walk that he talked. We will miss your sense of humor as well as all the other aspects of receiving joy in the friendship of Joyce and yourself. You will be missed.
Mary-Ann (Friesen) Blatz
To the Riedel family. So very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, dad and grandfather.
Our prayers, hugs & love are with you.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Donna Vandekerkhove
I remember Dennis with so much affection. He helped me learn how to kill chickens on the farm and I loved spending time there. I remember him as a very gentle and kind man. My deepest condolences to the people who loved him.
Robert & Suzanne Houlind
We send our deepest sympathy to Joyce and family.
Susan Ransome and family
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. These are hard losses but the memories of our loved one do help. He will be missed.
Roy & Sheila
Dear Joyce and family,
Our sincere condolences over your loss of Dennis. We pray that you are comforted in the knowledge that this is not the end and that we can all look forward to being together with him once again.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Roman Karalash
Dear Joyce “mom” and the rest of the Riedel family, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you and your family. My children Yvonne, Jennifer and Robert also express their condolences and love to everyone. All our love to you at this sad time, love from Susan and Roman Karalash and family.
Randy Fisher
I have known Dennis and his family for many decades. Dennis had done some work for me at my home and his work was top-notch to the point , where I had recommended his business name to others.
Dennis and his wife, Joyce, were pleasant to be around and when you required any advice on mechanical issues, Dennis or his son, Grant would come up with a viable answer.
Dennis will always be remembered for his kindness towards others. Sadly, life is short within its duration and Dennis lived a full life. My condolences for his wife, Joyce, daughter Andrea both, Gordy and Grant and their respective families.
Bob & Penny Miller
Dear Joyce and Family
We extend our deepest and sincere condolences to the family. Dennis was always a true positive role model to us and so many people. We enjoyed his quick wit, but we also gleaned from his profound solid faith, friendships and knowledge. The picture used for the obituary truly captures the image we have in our minds (the twinkle in his eyes and the slight “mischievous” look).
He will be truly missed but never forgotten.
Bob & Penny Miller
Yvonne Karalash
My condolences to the family. I didn’t know Dennis that well, but he was always kind to me at every meeting. Rest in peace. You will be missed.
Gloria E. Agravante
My deep condolence and heartfelt sympathies to Joyce, Grant, Andrea and family, on Dennis’ passing away! We know that we will see him again!
Aimee Benjamin
Dear Mrs. Riedel and family,
We are sad to hear about the passing of a truly kind, helpful, and generous man. Our prayers are with you, may God bring you comfort and keep your many warm, happy memories close. Much love from our family to yours.
Bilinski Family
Our most sincere sympathy for the Riedel family. We will miss him greatly but we are glad he is not suffering anymore. He was a light to all who knew him. We were so honored to know Dennis. He was a truly wonderful man who will live on in our memories forever. Love and prayers are with you all.
Somtochukwu Dennis
May God stand by you and you and your family in this time of grief. God bless you all.
Carissa Campbell-Pereira
Joyce & Family
Sending you our love, hugs and condolences.
Dennis was such a wonderful man with a beautiful heart.
He will always be remembered as our Tuesday and Thursday Breakfast Program volunteer. Ten years (rain, snow or shine), he would come and help serve breakfast to our community. Always smiling and chatting with students and staff.
Dennis will be greatly missed.
Carissa, Crystal, Bob and the River Elm School Community
Judith Tod
Dear Joyce and family,
Together you have modeled faithfulness, love and family. I am so sorry for your loss, and send my love across the miles from Nova Scotia.
Blessings
Judith
Peter
I had the privilege of working with Dennis in the early years of Waterfellow Enterprises. I fondly recall the trouble we would sometimes get into because of his habit of taking on new challenges where we didn’t quite know what we were doing, but his indomitable optimism, his resourcefulness, and his Faith always saw us through. His attitude was “When you come to the edge of a cliff, and there’s no other way–jump and you’ll grow wings on the way down!” He really lived his Faith and will always be an inspiration for me.
Love and prayers to all the Waterfellows.
Phyllis, Daren and Tyler
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Riedel family. Wish we could give ya a hug during these trying times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Phyllis, Daren and Tyler
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Riedel family. Wish we could be give ya a hug during these trying times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
David and DeEtta Ives
We are saddened to hear the news of your loss. A genuine and sincere man with a big smile, and a willing ear to listen. Dennis had his moments of eloquence, I (David) remember a line from his Ice Breaker speech from Spokesman Club …..”when the iridescent light of reality struck me”……. He will be missed and remains in our hearts. Love and prayers for the family.
Terry & Jean Rudge
Dear Joyce and Family,
Sending our condolences from Red Deer, Alberta. Always enjoyed your family visits at West Hawk Lake.
Rick and Susanne Wastle and family
We are saddened to hear of Dennis’ passing. He always had a smile and a cheerful “hello” when we saw him. Our deepest sympathy to Joyce and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Joan and Richard Gillis and family
Dennis’ warmth and humour will be missed but we will see him again. Our condolences to Joyce, Gord, Grant, Andrea and their families. We will be thinking of you and praying for your comfort.
Joan and Richard
The Torchia’s
We were so saddened to hear about Dennis’ passing. We have many fond memories of him – especially his never ending smiles and laughter. Our sincere condolences to Joyce, Gordon, Grant and Andrea, and their families.
Wishing you peace.
Mark, Barbara, Muriel and Erik
Vivian Jacob and Conrad Gavaga
So sorry to read about Dennis’ passing. Our hearts go out to Joyce and the rest of the family. Sad times but lots of good memories.
Helen and Nick Kubisewsky
To Joyce, Gordon, Grant, Andrea and family.
Mr. Riedel (that’s what we called him) seemed happy all the time and ready for a good joke.
Our deepest condolences to you. May you find comfort that others care.
Alexa Gavaga
Dear Joyce and family, sending warm wishes, positive thoughts and hugs your way.
Judy & Al Stamler
Our deepest sympathies, Joyce, to you and your family.
Dan & Elizabeth Walker
We were saddened when informed of Dennis’s passing. Dennis may be gone from us but the memories that we have accumulated over the past 50 plus years will always be with us. We will miss you old friend! R.I.P.
Donna Hourd
To Joyce and family, my sincere condolences on the passing of Dennis. Our friendship lasted over 50
years with lots of good memories. Dennis was always with a smile on his face and a joke in his back
pocket. Your strong family ties will help you through this difficult time.
jane bialek old neighbour
Joyce, Gordon, Grant, Andrea and Families.
Thinking of you all. I offer my deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, father and grandfather, Dennis. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May you find love and peace in all the memories he left behind, Sincerely Jane Bialek
Tom and Kathy Glenwright
Kathy and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. I think we’ve dealt with Waterfellow since it opened its doors in Beausejour. We dealt with Dennis, Joyce, Gord and Grant over the years and have many fond memories of Dennis. I think we were one of the first to get a geothermal unit installed in this area. We continue to see Grant, of course, because he still services the second geothermal unit he installed for us.
We offer our sincerest condolences. Dennis will definitely be missed.
BELLE ENGLAND
Hello to Joyce and family,
So sorry to hear of Dennis passing. You have had a rich and blessed life with him.
Always challenging to hear news of the cousins in the West. You have been blessed with lovely children and grandchildren, and I hope that in the days to come you will find some comfort in the joy they bring.
And it looks like your son will continue the business. May peace and blessings continue to comfort you at this time. Love from your cousin, Belle England
Rita Jounot
I am sad to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to you on your loss. I always really liked Dennis and thought he was a very friendly, kind person. My thoughts are with you in this trying time. Love, Rita