Johannes Karl Schoettler

He is survived by his wife of over 65 years Margot (Schmidt); sons Bruce (Suzanne), John (Pia), and daughter Debby (Ken).

Born into a large family of 8 children, Hans grew up during WWII, living through some of the world’s most significant events. He completed Grade 8 after which he began his plumbing apprenticeship. The completion of his Journeyman Plumbers certificate was followed by working in Switzerland while gaining more plumbing experience and some lifelong friends.

Returning to Germany, he began dating the love of his life, Margot (nee Schmidt). From there, a plan was hatched. Knowing no more than a couple of words in English, Hans, and his brother Herman, left for Canada in 1957 with Margot, and her best friend Elli, following in 1958. After setting up homes in the small town of Nipigon, Ontario, the two couples married in a double wedding on July 1, 1958.

Hans and Margot started a family soon after the wedding, marking the beginning of his greatest achievement : fatherhood. In Nipigon, Bruce was born in 1960, John followed in 1962. By then, the small-town Northern Ontario adventure had lost its charm and Hans, Margot as well as Herman and Elli, moved their families closer to Toronto where his daughter Debby was born in 1966.

In Toronto, Hans completed his Master Plumbers designation at Brown’s College. Not afraid to try things out of his comfort zone, he also completed his realtor’s license and owned a car wash. However, in 1975, another adventure began. The home in Mississauga, Ontario was sold, and the family moved to Vernon, BC in a 12-passenger van with moose horns strapped to the front of it for special effects.

In Vernon, Hans started his own plumbing business while building a house for the family. Hans and Margot enjoyed moving and experiencing new places. They found new homes and friends in Arizona, Armstrong, California, Surrey and Abbotsford. From Abbotsford it was back to the Okanagan. Winfield was where they planted their roots until moving to Kelowna 14 years ago.

Being an extremely social person, Hans enjoyed playing cards with his friends, singing in the German male choir, listening to classical music, playing the harmonica and dancing. He was always there if anyone needed plumbing work done, even long after his retirement. In fact, he was an instrumental part of the elevator installation and renovation at the German Club. He volunteered for years with the Winfield Lions Club, the Kelowna German Club, the Kelowna Legion and sat on the board for the condo strata. He was always first to offer his help if anyone asked for it and he was also the first to say yes to meeting friends for coffee.

His absolute greatest joy in life and his legacy are his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He could always be found sitting on a soccer field, in an arena watching a game or listening to a music recital. And it is well known that if a goal was scored by one of his grandkids, a couple of bucks were paid to them as a reward for their hard work. He was always a big supporter of fundraisers whether it was buying chocolates, raffle tickets or attending a Pub night. He easily shared with friends and family how proud he was of his grandkids and then great grandkids.

Known for having more than 9 lives, his hearty laughs, his sometimes inappropriate jokes, his ease at making friends, his inability to clean up his cell phone and his difficulty leaving a party until the very end, he was truly a legend, a special unique man who was always up for an adventure. He loved catching up with friends and family on the phone as much as he enjoyed a heated political discussion and will be greatly missed by immediate family, extended family and friends alike.

He is pre-deceased by his brothers Ralph and Bernhardt. He is survived by his brothers Karl, Herman (Elli), Hugo (Karin), sisters Margot and Carola (Reinhold), his sister-in-law’s Lieselotte Wintermeyer and Hedwig Schoettler.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Riley, Liam, Kayla (Waylon), Tanya (Tim), Alexandra (Brady), Natasha (Owen), Geneva (Yanni) and great grandchildren Ella, Emma, Tayla, Tucker, Thorin and Easton.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299