With heavy hearts, we announce that Brent passed away in the arms of his beloved on December 1st at home at the age of 47 years after a not fair fight with cancer.

 

Brent is survived by his wife Stephanie; children (Kai, Veda, Milla and Abigail); parents (Larry and Eunice Woelke); siblings Julene, Sharilyn (Rick), Craig (Jennifer); Grandma (Edna Ratzliff); Mother-in-law (Lois Collins); Stephanie’s siblings; Melanie (Jon), Keith (Tannis), Bethany (Dave) as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Brent was recently predeceased by his Father-in-law (Don Collins).

 

Brent was born in Prince George, BC and he would talk about his young years there in an idyllic way - a forest in his backyard where he would be off on adventures all day with his three siblings and little supervision. Brent’s family moved many times in his growing up years, mostly across the prairies but settled in Caronport Saskatchewan for High School while his dad attended Seminary. Brent often reflected on his teenage years that he reinvented himself a few times. He loved writing, acting and directing and took part in all kinds of tomfoolery with his friends. He was a tenacious skateboarder and was viewed as a bit of a mentor for some younger skaters. Brent was never one to quit because of something being difficult. He graduated as student body president of his High School and went on to Briercrest Bible College where his Christian faith took on new meaning and relevance in the midst of tree planting for several seasons and young adult meandering. Brent cherished the friendships he made in that season and even though many miles divided them, when reconnected it seemed no time had passed. He spoke of those years with great affection for his friends and there seemed a bottomless well of stories to be told and retold, sometimes adding suspense and drama in each retelling.

 

Eventually Brent found himself settled in Winnipeg. Due to personal hardship and the desire to be a present dad to his young son Kai, he started his Landscaping business more out of practical need to make his life make sense than to be an entrepreneur. He specialized in interlocking brick, designing and building retaining walls, patios, pathways and backyards. His brilliance for design, attention to detail and enjoyment of hard work he grew his business for over a decade. In that time he employed several university students and loved training and building relationships with his crew. He was honest and fair with his customers and generous to his employees. He loved having his crew over to play board games and feeding them well.

 

Brent and Stephanie met twice by chance, once in 2013, and again in 2014 (fell madly in love) and got married in 2015 blended their two families and added a baby. Brent took so much pleasure in his big family and was probably the happiest man who ever drove a minivan. It was in this family that Brent would say that all his dreams came true. He loved to summon the children for board games, or find video games they would enjoy, watch movies or have a fire. He could always keep kids at the table longer if he had a great story in mind to tell. He was interested in each one of the kids and prayed for them often. He enjoyed puttering around the garage and yard, listening to music singing quietly along. When Brent had a project on the go, he was unstoppable in his focus, but when he was ready to take a break he rested and relaxed well.

 

Brent made Stephanie happier than she ever imagined was possible or real. They considered their marriage a miracle and that God had seemed to orchestrate their meeting. It seemed a reversal of destiny for both of them and they were thankful everyday for each other.

 

Brent was known for his storytelling, hard work ethic, kindness and compassion, warmth and sensitivity. He had a way of making people feel at ease around him. He was funny. He loved watching the Jets and was rather loud in his cheering and commentary which made him fun to watch with. He loved his History podcasts, and his nerdy video games. He liked organizing his tools and making lists. He was sentimental and sweet, strong and protective. His personality was multifaceted in the very best way.

 

When Brent got his grim Cancer diagnosis in March of 2021, he faced his treatments bravely. He prepared for his death with so much love for his wife and family. He would often remark with tears how much he loved his life. He was forced to say good-bye to so many things he loved over the last year and a half, good-bye to work, good-bye to playing hockey, good-bye to swimming in the Okanagan, good-bye to skateboarding, good-bye to his tools, to his truck, to his friends, to us his family.

 

Stephanie wishes to thank all of the staff at Cancercare Manitoba who treated and cared for Brent including Dr. Daeninck and Dr. Beshara. Stephanie would also like to thank the numerous Palliative Care staff who were an immense help and support in the final days before and after Brent’s passing. Stephanie also wishes to thank the Grifters and multiple friends and family who have lightened the load and poured love on our family in such a variety of ways.

 

Brent’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

 

A funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Anchor Point Church, 1400 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg. It will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. The livestream can be viewed by clicking this link.