Terry August William Gutknecht

Terry Gutknecht

October 18, 1953 - April 26, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our dad Terry passed away at home on Monday, April 26, 2021 at the age of 67 years. 

Terry is predeceased by his wife Susan, parents; August and Velma. 

He is survived by his son Charles and family, daughter Krystal and family and his Daughter Natasha along with siblings: Lloyd (Margaret), Gail (Doug), Rose (Bob) and Kevin (Lori). All of our in-laws: Wendy, Debbie, Linda (Al), Wayne, Doris, Joan (Ricky), Karen (Darryl) and Richard (Leisa) as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. We know you all held a special place in dad’s heart.

Dad

You left us too soon, to quick, without time for a proper goodbye. Take comfort in knowing that you raised your children to be resilient, able to deal with, handle and work through the situations we encounter in life. Just like when you taught us how to ride a two-wheel bike for the first time and were not sure we could… “You learn how to ride like that because I’m not putting them back on,” made us more determined to show you we could. You spent time teaching us many different skills, from colouring (to stay in the lines), to installing flooring and many things in between. We are not afraid to tackle a project and learn along the way. You and mom showed us how to be kind and caring, to lend a helping hand when needed to get a job done, offer a seat to a friend and an open ear for comfort and how to turn a new face into a friend and more likely, part of the extended family. As can be seen by the extended family you and mom have created from the years of camping and the co-workers that made their way into our home for meals and even to the local bar for a drink after a long work week.

In the weeks, months and years to come, we know you will come up in conversation, remembering times spent with you and the stories you would tell: 

Like the bear in the bar that would do his round and leave, or going down to the dock to buy the abalone that were broke and bring it to the legion and have them cook it for you in BC. The little boy who lived in town, that use to go for a walk and make his rounds to all the little old ladies that would feed him cookies. The cross-country treks you would take with your cousin and lose track of time and get home later then you should have. The one bike you had, and you all took turns racing it to the end of the drive and back to see who was the fastest. The tent trailer flipping over and sliding down the highway and when you got to the campsite to see what had survived inside, all you found was one broken egg. Your tea time with Nanny… that to this day no one knows what conversations were had. The Terry logs for the fire at the camp and even the elephant wood which you had some believe was specially brought in from India. Bowls of French onion soup by the fire on cooler nights and the end of the evening as things would quiet down after a long day the head bobs would start… one sheep… two sheep… three sheep… there went that chair. The days you and mom spent making skewers and just handing them out off of the BBQ as friends came by, to only have a few left for the two of you. 

We spent most weekends in the winter snowmobiling, others around the farm or the camper hall field and many trail rides, but there were a few weekends that were more dedicated to fixing the machines so we could use them the next. Those weekends would be filled with late night card games at grandmas, with her calling you a cheat if you tried to knock with three aces for 30 ½ “that’s 33.” Or going out in canasta before she could even lay out her hand “you dirty little bugger you.” The weekends spent at the cabin, your labour of love. It took a few years to get it finished. I remember a few fires with hotdogs and hot chocolate in the middle of the cabin before there was a floor and roof. The Red Boot Inn where we would gather to start a trail ride and end it off with the stew mom had cooked on the fireplace. Where we stayed when no one knew we were out. A nice little quiet get away.  Our family road trips, and anyone that has travelled with you will know, you go to the bathroom before you leave because there is no stopping again until the car needs gas.

You just had a way about you that drew people in even as the grandchildren and great-nieces and nephews were added to the family they would calm as you held them. People could see through the gruff exterior to the kind, giving, big-hearted man you were. 

So, as we start this next part of our lives with you watching over us alongside mom instead of beside us, we will keep you with us and the values you instilled upon us always.

“ How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.“ – Winnie the pooh.                                                                                                                                                       

Corrine LaMarre Funeral Director in care of arrangements:

C.J. LaMarre & Co. Funeral Services

204-960-9898

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