Diet’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925, penniless and owing a large travel debt. They bought a farm in Culross, Man., on the basis of yearly crop payments. Farm work prevented Diet from finishing high school, but he later took agriculture courses in Gretna, Man. Diet was raised in the church. He made a decision one night to accept God’s grace. His faith was true and steadfast. Diet applied as a conscientious objector, but joined the noncombatant forces as radio operator. WWII ended before his overseas deployment. Diet met Lenora on her first teaching assignment. They farmed in Sanford, Man. A patient man, when crops failed, Diet said, “There is always next year.” When their sons went to university, Diet and Lenora moved to Winnipeg. Missing country life, in 1971, they bought a cabin on Clearwater Bay, Ont., with which they blessed others. After Diet’s retirement in 1986, he and Lenora joined Habitat for Humanity. For 22 years, they shared their gift of hospitality on Pender Island, B.C., until Diet’s health issues forced a move to Abbotsford, B.C., in 2010. Diet volunteered at MCC until the week before he was hospitalized. His morning prayer always began, “Thank you Father for your love and concern for us today.”
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