On Wednesday, July 20th, 2016, Pastor Ken Harris, aged 83, departed this world of trials and tribulation and entered through the gates of heavenly splendor, into the welcoming arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As a young boy of nine, Ken made the decision to follow Christ, and he faithfully answered His calling, first in a variety of jobs that took him from the gold mines in northern Canada, to a 20 year career with the Federal Department of Transport beginning as a radio operator and retiring as a Regional Superintendent of Planning.  In each community he lived his dedication to furthering the Gospel with fervent devotion -  home Bible studies and founding churches. These were steps leading to his passion of later serving Christ as a full and part time Pastor in many churches across the prairies.

His most cherished time in ministry was serving on staff at Grant Memorial Baptist Church in Winnipeg as Minister of Discipleship where he formed a special and lasting friendship with Grant Richison as they laboured for the Gospel together.

Ken’s most meaningful relationship however, apart from his bond with Jesus, was his courtship and 47 year marriage with a young Russian Mennonite beauty named Margaret Rempel, with whom he raised a family of seven wonderful children.

Together, Ken and Marg lived a life dedicated to Christian service and impacted literally thousands of lives for Jesus!

Sadly, Marg was taken from Ken in 2000 after several years of illness through which Ken was a devoted primary care-giver in spite of his own health issues at this time.  He was blessed with great resilience and fortitude.

While continuing to answer the call to ministry in Portage la Prairie, Ken met and married the second love of his life – Jeannie Alford Bourgeois.  Together they made a happy home and were a solid team both in matters of ministry and in matters of health.

Ken’s faithful care-giving to Marg was repaid in kind by Jeannie’s equally faithful care of Ken.  His appreciation for her and indeed for the many people who entered his life in virtually any capacity was indicative of his Christ-centered world view.

If there was one overwhelming characteristic of Ken’s life and ministry, it was his compassion and love for people.  Blessed with a genuine gift of discernment, Ken could tell when people he encountered were hurting and in need of healing.

Quite simply, Ken was a man of God.  The anticipation during his final days and hours, the words of his Lord upon taking his first steps into eternity: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Of the many souls who morn Ken’s passing, paramount is his beloved Jeannie, wife for the last 12 years of his life, countless friends, former colleagues and neighbours and of course his abundant progeny… 

With  Marg Rempel:

Deborah Harris - Charmaine (Bryan) Eppler, Levi and Aaron; Kristi (Greg) Highton, Davyn Upshaw; Kerrin (Warren) Ramler, Rhea

Kevin (Lori-Lee) Harris - Travis, Melissa, Tara, Ashlynn, Kristyn, Landon, Rose and Rayne

Lesley (Ron) Dick – Jason (Amanda) Ryan, Chase and Isla; Graeme, Vanessa (Curtis) Peters, Charlie and Maggie

Murray Harris – Michael and Carly

Bradley (Denise) Harris – Colton and Brook-Lynn, Madison, Sawyer and Ainsley

Valerie (Jon Ted) Wynne – and their fur-babies

Brian (Bonnie) Harris – Britt, Becca and Jillian

Stepchildren with Jeannie (Alford) Harris:

Michelle (Dano) Ciavarella – Christina

Michael (Christine Atkinson) Bourgeois

Shelley (Richard) Tully – Rowan, Lauchlan and Quinn

Sheila (Darren) Lilley – Sierra Malchuk and Korbin Lilley

Anna Bourgeois

Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Highway Pentecostal Church, 1680 Saskatchewan Avenue West, Portage la Prairie. with reception to follow.

If friends so desire. memorial donations to the Marg Harris Scholarship Fund (available at the church) would be appreciated.

Related Links

---