John Kenneth Loeppky

John Kenneth Loeppky passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour at his residence on January 20, 2026, with his loving wife at his side.

 John was born on Nov 26, 1949, in Altona, MB, the middle child of David and Anna Loeppky. When John was almost a year old, his parents moved to the MacGregor area. Along with his siblings, John attended Emmeline School, located a quarter mile west of the family farm. From a young age, John helped his father on the farm and then ventured to Grande Prairie, Alberta, where he operated heavy logging equipment. His role involved cutting through dense bush and steep forested hills and bunching logs with precision—work that was both dangerous and demanding. John quickly earned a reputation as an excellent operator. In subsequent years, he worked as a contractor, honing his skills as a builder. In 2004, he earned his Class 1 licence and spent ten years as a truck owner-operator alongside his brother Ed.

 John was saved by placing his trust in Jesus as his Lord and Saviour in his mid-twenties and was baptized in May 1977. That same spring, he met the love of his life, Laura June Buhr, who was working as a nurse at Bethel Hospital in Winkler. John and June were meant for each other and were married on June 11, 1978. Throughout their marriage, they delighted in working together—doing chores, hauling bales, putting up firewood, and caring for loved ones in need.

 John had a servant’s heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He willingly offered the use of his tractor, roto-tilled neighbours’ gardens, helped shingle roofs, and landscaped yards for friends across the road. His quiet, steady faith was evident in the way he served Jesus by serving others. He had a deep heart for missions and longed to help the needy and support the spread of the Gospel through various mission organizations.

 In 1998, John and June sold their small farm and moved to MacGregor. Just a few years later, John lovingly supported June through her cancer treatments, faithfully driving her to numerous appointments. In 2007, the first of their “children of the heart” arrived from South America. John and June immediately took this family under their wings, helping them settle into their new country. Two years later, a second family arrived and was also warmly welcomed as part of their own. Many children became dear to John, filling a place in his heart meant for family and grandchildren. In 2015, John and June purchased a lot on Meadow View Lane near Austin, where John decided to build a wheelchair-accessible home—unaware at the time that it would one day perfectly suit their needs after John became disabled by a stroke.

 John greatly enjoyed traveling, and he and June took several trips to British Columbia, visiting relatives, fishing for salmon in the Pacific Ocean, and returning home with a truckload of peaches for friends and family. In 2020 they travelled to Ecuador, South America to spend several weeks in a mountain village, living as the locals did. John never forgot the joy of that experience and spoke of it fondly for the rest of his life.

 In the fall of 2021, John developed a painful condition in his left foot that doctors believed would lead to partial amputation. By God’s great mercy, his foot was completely healed by April 2022. John was overjoyed to be free of pain and able to drive again. Just one month later, on May 6, he suffered his first stroke, leaving him in a wheelchair for several weeks. With determination, resilience, and faith, John progressed from riding his electric trike to walking with a walker, and eventually walking unaided and using his tractor again. He returned to the joys of gardening, watering trees, and riding through the neighbourhood to see what was happening. He especially cherished visits from friends and neighbours, including the boys next door who loved sitting with John on the patio or helping split firewood.

 John’s health began to decline due to a large aneurysm, which was successfully repaired in Nov 2024. God granted John a full recovery, and even during the summer of 2025, he was out watering trees and transporting pails of water on his trike. He continued to enjoy neighbourhood activity— particularly the construction of a new shop next door—and regularly reported progress updates to June. John also loved going for car rides, and June took him on many day trips through the hills, enjoying both the budding beauty of spring and the vibrant colours of fall.

 On Dec 8, John suffered another stroke and was admitted to Brandon General Hospital. After five days, he returned home, and they shared several precious weeks together, spending quiet evenings by the fireplace watching church services and travel documentaries. As the effects of multiple strokes began to affect his mind and mobility, simple tasks became increasingly difficult. June remained faithfully at his side, quietly helping him through this season. During the final year of his life, John often expressed his longing to be with the Lord, frequently saying, “Maybe it won’t be long now until I get to go home.”

 On the morning of Jan 1, John suffered a major stroke and was admitted to Portage General Hospital. He was unable to speak except for a few words, had severe difficulty swallowing, and was left with a paralyzed left arm. June was with him every day, tenderly caring for him, and when John’s sister Dorothy arrived from Saskatchewan, she too spent each day at his bedside. When it became clear that recovery was not expected, June felt strongly led to bring John home for end-of-life care. Plans were immediately put in motion, and on the evening of Jan 19, friends and neighbours gathered to assemble a hospital bed and prepare their home. John was brought home later that evening and warmly welcomed, settled into bed near the fireplace, and spent a peaceful night with June at his side. The following day, though he appeared aware, it became evident that his time at home would be brief. June tenderly read Psalm 23 to him one last time as loved ones gathered around. John then quietly and peacefully went home to be with Jesus.

 Bringing John home was June’s final gift of love, fulfilling his wish to remain at home until Jesus received him into His presence. Caring for John during this time was a profound privilege, and June will always be grateful for those precious final moments together.

 John was predeceased by his parents, three siblings, his parents-in-law, and several extended family members. He leaves to mourn his devoted and loving wife of 47 years, June; his brother Ed Loeppky (Marge); sisters Erma Buhler (David) and Dorothy White; Brothers-in-law Jim Buhr (Beverly), Lawrence Buhr (Tracy), Garry Buhr (Myrna), Vernon Buhr, sister-in-law Wendy Nikkel (Rod); step sisters-in-law Anita Jerry (Stan) and Gloria Geddert (Larry), Horst and Judith Braun and their children Lars, Cornelia, Sebastian, and Joel; Karlito and Doris Vogt and their children Andrea, Marion, and Larissa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

 June and the family are deeply grateful to all who touched John’s life and cared for him. Thank you to the medical staff of Tiger Hills Health Centre, Brandon General Hospital, Portage General Hospital, and the Palliative and Home Care teams who helped make it possible to bring John home.

 Special thanks to Andy for clearing snowdrifts, the Unger boys and Brantley for clearing the concrete pad, the Vogt and Braun families for standing with us as dear children, and to all friends and neighbours for food, visits, and prayers. A heartfelt thank you to John’s sister Dorothy for her constant love and support throughout John’s final days. Many thanks to all family members who have ministered to us by visiting John, calling every day, bringing food, and offering their help in so many ways. Thank you for the countless prayers from loved ones around the world—the Flanagan family in Ireland, the Neufeld and Vogt families in Paraguay, the Bojorquez family in Mexico, loved ones in the Netherlands and US, and many others who faithfully prayed for John and for June. We also extend sincere gratitude to the Sawatzky family, who, in the midst of their own grief, took time to visit John, pray with him, and encourage June. Thank you to Simon and Sebastian for preparing the slideshow, and to Clarke’s Funeral Home for their gracious guidance.

 Above all, we give thanks and glory to God for His unfailing care, and for the many blessings He bestowed upon us in the midst of suffering and sorrow.

 If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to:

ACCI  -   89 Auriga Drive Nepean, ON K2E 7Z2

Please include, on a separate note, the project name: Mexico A3 (Alex and Amber Bojorquez)

 “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man,

the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9