Written with help from Bethany Assisted Living
WILKIE — When Siegfried “Sid” Kunstel passed away in 2019, many groups in the community of Wilkie were recipients of Kunstel’s generosity. Bethany Assisted Living was one of the fortunate recipients, receiving a bequest of $44,000.
Kunstel came to Bethany Sept. 1, 2017. Before his arrival his life was full and included farming in the Handel area and applying his trade as a journeyman electrician. Kunstel did electrical work, as well as working for many people in the Landis, Handel and Leipzig districts and other areas.
“Sid did work on my parent’s farm and when doing electrical work, he took time and patience to ensure the job was done right,” said Lynn Christensen, manager of Bethany Assisted Living.
People who knew him noted that while he worked, he would tell stories about various places he had worked and also about his home country, Germany.
Kunstel was known for his amazing gardening skills introducing “new” produce to people like haskap berries and asparagus potatoes. He was well known for his crops of crab apples, sour cherries and plums, which he generously shared with friends and neighbours.
The money Kunstel donated to Bethany came with the stipulation that some of the funds go toward a new set of entrance doors at his favourite north entrance.
During the summer of 2020 the doors were installed, in addition to a ramp that was built outside the west entrance. New doors for the west entrance were slated for installation at that time as well, but between COVID and other unforeseen circumstances, the project was put on hold.
In June 2023 the contractors began work on the installation of the west entrance doors. The work is nearly completed now with a coat of paint still required.
The board, staff and residents of Bethany are grateful for Kunstel’s bequest. Bethany is a non-profit organization, so they rely solely on rent money and donations. Anyone can make a donation to the senior assisted living facility by contacting the administrator at 306-843-2234 or emailing [email protected]. Donations greater than $20 will be issued a tax receipt.
