Werner also carried with him a special gift that I am sure he received from his mother. He carried it with him through his entire life.

That gift was an unseen thread. A thread so small you could not see it, yet so strong it brought all who knew him closer to him. He twirled it around Agnes and brought them together in marriage. A kind and gentle man marrying a kind and gentle woman.

The thread was strong because it had so many strands:

• One strand was kindness. He was kind to all who knew him as a friend.

• One strand was gentleness. So gentle with nieces and nephews. So gentle with his children.

• One strand was caring. He was deeply concerned for those around him, young and old alike.

• One strand was courage. He faced his illness with quiet courage and strength.

• One strand was confidence. Throughout his life with the variety of jobs he had, he brought confidence with him, somehow knowing that this was the right thing for him to do at this point in his life.

• One strand was his keen sense of humour. He laughed easily and often. He always had a joke to share with everyone.

He also gave out confidence to those around him. To a quiet young man coming to work in a large city, he gave shelter. He showed him how to dress well for work. He even showed that young man how to properly knot a tie. He indeed passed on that confidence to those who would take it.

I lived with Werner and Agnes when I first moved into Regina and I did not see that thread, but I see it now. Uncle Werner, as you received that gift from your mother, both you and Agnes have passed it on to a kind and gentle son, and two wonderful, kind and gentle daughters.

- Allan Uhl