March 27, 1930 – January 14, 2022
Joseph passed away peacefully at home with his wife of almost 72 years, Loretta, and family by his side.
Joe was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan, one of 13 children of Peter and Catherine (Roth) Krentz. In 1948 he moved to Richmond, B.C. and worked as a lumber inspector. In 1950 he convinced his love Loretta to marry him. In 1954 they purchased a 40-acre dairy farm in Langley, B.C., where they still resided when he passed. Joe and Loretta had nine children.
Joe was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Langley. He was a Knights of Columbus member for over 60 years, served four years as the Grand Knight and 18 years as Financial Secretary. He was active in coaching youth softball, baseball and hockey.
He was influential in the Holstein-Friesian Association, holding the position of President of the BC Branch for three years and pioneering reproductive technology advances within his own herd. The Krentz “Langholm Farms” produced champion purebred Holstein cattle and won numerous Canadian milk production awards.
After retiring from farming Joe and Loretta volunteered for Canadian Food for Children BC (CFFC) in 1990, supporting efforts to feed the hungry children of the world. After eight years Joe became President and the facilities were moved to the Langley Farm. For 30 years they shipped large quantities of food and supplied farm equipment to the world’s poor. On November 13, 2016, Joe was awarded the Benemerenti Medal by Pope Francis, the highest of honors.
Joe will be dearly missed and is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Loretta and their nine children Joan, Gordon, Yvonne, Marilyn, Rosanne (Chuck), Carmen, Colin (Lucero), Lenore (Ken) and Brian (Val); 14 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, his brothers Sylvester (Marion) and Bernie (Annella) and sisters Marion, Diane (Ken) and Kathy (Len) and many nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Catherine (Roth) Krentz, brothers Edward, Francis, Raymond and Dennis and sisters Florence, Bernadette and Geraldine.
Prayer Services are Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 7:00 pm and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 20th at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Langley, BC. A family only Interment at the Gardens of Gethsemani will follow.
He was an influencer, an activator, a humanitarian and one of the good guys loved by many. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation Canadian Food for Children BC (via mail to #41 – 5550 Langley, BC V3A 7Z3).
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