Obituary of Jurgen Fritz Wolfgang Wegener

Jurgen (George) Wegener

1926 – 2022

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, Jurgen went to be with his Lord and Saviour at the age of 96.

He is survived by his dearly loving wife of 75 years Jutta (Teske). Cherished father of John and Dawn (Abrams), Siegfried (predeceased), Peter and Hilde (Hamm) and Marlene and Robert (Riediger).  Loving grandfather of 13 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his two brothers, Gunter and Dieter.

Born in Germany on January 1, 1926, Jurgen moved to Canada with his wife and eldest two sons in 1951.  After working at a basket factory in Grimsby for a short time, Jurgen was employed by General Motors in 1952, where he worked for 31 years.  Jurgen was a very industrious and entrepreneurial person who identified and initiated a number of enterprises including door to door sales and purchasing and maintaining rental properties.  He and his wife purchased a fruit farm in the Beamsville area in 1964 where they farmed the land until 1971 when they moved back to St. Catharines where they had built a new house.  Jurgen and Jutta loved to entertain and host large parties with family and friends.  He was an accomplished musician, playing his accordion while singing with his wife.

Jurgen was devoted to his family.  He provided support and love in numerous ways.  Jurgen and Jutta’s love of family prompted his purchase of a cottage in the Muskoka’s in 1971.  The cottage was “family central”.  A place where siblings and their families gathered, along with extended family and friends creating fond memories that will last a lifetime. Memories of their Opa playing the Chicken Dance on his accordion, singing around the campfire, watching Opa clean fish and the family fish fry, seeing Opa’s excitement when large homemade pizzas were brought to the table, and the annual party that was held for an extremely large group of family and friends.

Jurgen was baptized on confession of his faith at the Vineland United Mennonite Church.  He and Jutta later transferred their membership to the St. Catharines United Mennonite Church.

Jurgen will be sadly missed by his family and friends.  He has left a lasting legacy of love, courage, perseverance, loyalty and family.

The funeral and visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 9^th at the St. Catharines United Mennonite Church, 335 Linwell Road, St. Catharines.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by the funeral service.  Refreshments and a time of sharing will take place following the funeral service followed by interment at Victoria Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Tabor Manor Radiant Care or St. Catharines United Mennonite Church.