Tuesday, April 25, 2023
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Eulogy:
Ken spent the first years of his life on a farm near Bredenbury with his parents, Margaret and Albert Dressler. A farm was purchased in Churchbridge and Ken grew up and attended school in this community. Upon receiving a government scholarship at graduation from Churchbridge High School in 1965, he attended the University of Regina for one year before going on to Alberta Bible Institute in Camrose. During his time there he worked with Gordon Schieck as assistant pastor of the Ferintosh congregation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1969 and worked in Edmonton until he was called by his uncle Dan Dressler to assist in the work of the church in Morden, Manitoba. From there he returned home to assist on the farm following a farming accident involving his father. In 1970, Ken received a call from the Josephburg (Alberta) Church of God to provide pastoral leadership.
Ken met his beautiful wife of 52 years, Sharon, in Alberta during their involvement in church youth activities and were married at the Josephburg Church of God on November 14, 1970. Ken pastored in Josephburg until June 1973 at which time he accepted the pastoral leadership of the Schuler (Alberta) Church of God. During their time in Schuler, Daren and Lisa were born. Both Ken and Sharon attended Hillcrest Christian College in Medicine Hat during this time and Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Religious Education Degree (honours) in 1977. During Ken’s ministry in Schuler, he was also employed as a Janitor, School Bus Driver and farm hand.
They moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1980 where Ken worked in property management, looking after apartments and tenement housing near downtown Calgary. In 1982 Ken returned to pastoral ministry, accepting responsibility for developing a new congregation in northeast Calgary. A near-fatal accident in 1985 and continuing health concerns resulted in Ken leaving pastoral ministry in 1987. Following his Ministry, Ken was also employed at McDonald’s and Heritage Park in Calgary.
In October 1990, Ken was asked to assist the Church of God congregation in Churchbridge during a leadership transition. A call to provide full-time resident leadership came in January 1991 and in July the family moved to this community. Ken retired in 2002, providing some pastoral care through pulpit supply and various funerals and marriages after his retirement. Ken and Sharon moved to Yorkton in 2002 where they lived until his final days. He had the opportunity to spend the last week of his life in Medicine Hat to be with his wife, daughter and her family.
Ken was a committed servant to the Lord and to his community throughout his years, always giving of himself in whatever way he could and helping others over himself. His service included service as Second Vice Chair of the Canadian Board of Missions for the Church of God in Western Canada, a member of the Evangelism Committee with responsibilities for new projects and financial assistance to churches. He was the Vice Chair of the General Assembly and Executive Council for the Church of God in Western Canada. He served as Chairman of the General Assembly and Executive Council for the Church of God in Western Canada and Interim Executive Secretary for the Church of God in Western Canada, responsible for agencies and operations affecting 37 churches in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. His community involvement included being a
member of Churchbridge Community Development (economic development), responsible for establishing new businesses and encouraging general community development; he was a member of the Small Business Loans Association, processing and granting loans to small businesses under the Saskatchewan Government. He served over 11 years as a member of the Family Enrichment Program Committee, overseeing grants to children of qualified families to assist financially in their participation in community programs. He was a member of the Churchbridge Save Our School Committee that successfully lobbied for the retention of the high school in the community. He was a member of the Spiritual/Pastoral Care Committee, the Churchbridge Inter-Church Council, and member of the 4-Town Pastors Association. In Schuler, he was a member of the Schuler Community Association, Secretary-Treasurer - Schuler Recreation Board, and participated in drawing up a five-year master plan for community facilities. He was also part of the Secretary - Schuler Railroad Retention Committee, assisting in successfully appealing the retention of the CPR branch line into the community of Schuler. Ken was also a member of the Josephburg Lions Club, the Assistant Cub Leader for the Josephburg Cub & Scout Association and a member of the Ft. Saskatchewan Ministerial Association.
Ken was most remembered by his family for his incredible sense of humour, unique storytelling ability and passionate Sunday morning messages at the pulpit. The regular bike and motorcycle excursions, camping, youth trips, drives in the mountains, picnics and his ability to talk to anyone he came across brought so many incredible memories and a legacy that his family will remember forever. Ken was fortunate to have gone into remission after being diagnosed with cancer in 2018. He was delighted that he was able to celebrate his 75th birthday, as he didn’t believe he would have survived to 75 after his cancer diagnosis. It felt like he was taken too soon, but the last year of cancer treatments, along with the stroke he suffered on March 1st, brought much pain and suffering in the end. Ken was relieved of his suffering and was taken to be with his Lord and Saviour in his mansion in heaven when he passed peacefully with family by his side listening to scripture and songs that reflected his life and legacy. He was a passionate and involved community member, a dedicated husband and a caring father that will forever be remembered and cherished in our hearts and through the memories that we will forever hold dear.
