Charles Arthur Loewen

Charles Arthur Loewen was born in Bassano, Alberta on February 7, 1945 to Peter and Martha Loewen. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to a farm bordering the Bow River in Vauxhall, Alberta. When he wasn’t helping his dad on the farm, Charles was down at the river with his fishing pole and dog. He often compared this carefree time to Huckleberry Finn. Charles took up the guitar, becoming quite proficient, and frequently played in church and with his Uncle Art. Charles attended school in the Vauxhall area until his family moved to Matsqui, BC where his dad owned and operated a garage. He completed grade 11 at Abbotsford Senior High School, then went on to graduate from Caronport High School in Saskatchewan. Charles accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour at Southern Alberta Bible Camp as a young boy. He was baptized in 1963.

After graduation, Charles had various jobs including a parts man at MSA motors, a salesman at Unger Furniture, a correctional officer at Haney Correctional Center, and a farm equipment specialist, installing milking parlors and silo unloaders for BC Farm Equipment.

Charles met the love of his life, Irene Reimer, in the summer of 1963 at the Abbotsford Fair. Charles and Irene dated for 3 ½ years and were married March 30, 1967. She remained his best friend throughout their 55 years of marriage. Their first home was on Cyril Street in Abbotsford. During the early years of their marriage, Charles continued to work for BC Farm Equipment, while Irene was employed at Rexall Pharmacy in downtown Abbotsford. In 1970, Charles changed directions and began his own construction company. He built his first house in 1971, which Charles and Irene then called home. Roberta Lee joined their family in 1972, Denise Irene in 1975.

Friends asked Charles to build them a house in Vauxhall, Alberta, which led to the family moving to Alberta in 1977. Charles continued in construction and earned his red seal ticket in carpentry. Angela Annette was born in 1980. In 1984, the family relocated to Lethbridge, Alberta where they lived for the next 7 years. Daughter number 4, Jodi Faye, arrived in 1985.

Charles earned his private pilot’s license and had his own plane for a number of years. He used his plane as a pickup truck, throwing tools in the back and flying from one job site to another. He loved flying and took every opportunity to get up into the skies.

The family returned to Abbotsford, BC in 1991 and Charles took over BC Forming Supplies. Eleven years later, he began C&L Structures. Charles carried on in construction and was involved in land development, construction, and project management right up to his final days.

Charles was a man of many talents. If it was broken, he could fix it, through building, welding, or mechanical work; and the occasional time when duct tape was the answer. He had a creative, intuitive mind and always wanted to learn new things. He would then put his newfound knowledge to work. A prime example of this is when Charles wanted to learn to use autocad. He called Lloyd every night, at times even after 11pm, to learn one new thing each day. Years later, he had it mastered and incorporated this new technique into his business. Anyone who has shared a coffee or meal with Charles knows many of his ideas began as a drawing on a paper napkin at the table.

Charles loved to laugh and could find a lighthearted moment in even the most difficult circumstances. His children grew to appreciate his dad jokes and puns, and the inevitable question, after injury or error, "did you learn anything?”.

Charles was generous with his time, resources, and his love. He was never too busy to say hello or make a connection with someone who crossed his path. He loved the Lord fully and shared Him wherever he went. He found great joy in serving the Lord at church or at home, playing his guitar, leading worship or teaching adult Sunday School.

Charles’ commitment and love for his wife and family were unconditional. There was no obstacle too great to overcome for the sake of those closest to him.

Dad always told us, his daughters, that we could pursue whatever interested us in life. He and mom never said we couldn’t do something because we were girls. We all helped dad on various projects and construction sites and were taught the “seven-line rule”. Even through challenges and heartaches, we always knew that dad loved Jesus, loved our mom and loved us. He and mom prayed for us daily and encouraged us in our own walks with the Lord. He loved and accepted his sons-in-law as sons in our family. He cherished his grandchildren and spent many hours building things with them, doing special activities, and creating memorable adventures for them. Time with “papa” was always treasured.

Charles was active and busy with projects to the day he went to hospital. He told his family that he was ready to meet Jesus and was anticipating that meeting. Charles will be remembered and greatly missed, but there is great comfort in knowing where he is, whom he is with and that we will one day see him again.