Tribute

In Loving Memory

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Klaus Solterbeck, at the age of 77.  He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the morning of December 2, 2024.

Klaus is survived by his loving wife, Doerte, his devoted daughters, Bianca (James) and Melanie (Tim) and his three grandchildren, Jacob, Sophia and Karoline.

Klaus always knew how to make an entrance. He was born during a snowstorm in Nübbel, Germany on February 26, 1947 to his mother, Lisbeth Wohlgemut and father, Paul Solterbeck.

Klaus grew up in a small town in a rural part of Northern Germany. Early in his life he began to show a passion for music and taught himself how to play keyboard, drums and guitar. Klaus played in several bands growing up, inspired by the legendary rock n’ roll scene in Hamburg in the 1960s.

He dreamed of travel and adventure and briefly considered a career in the navy when he was called up for two years of mandatory military service at the age of 18.  He made the most of his time there, getting his commercial trucking licence and first gaining exposure to woodworking, which started him on the path to becoming a finishing carpenter.  He took pride in his craft, focusing on interior millwork and building fine furniture and custom cabinetry.

He met his wife, Doerte Krueger, during a night out dancing in Pahlhude. Klaus and Doerte were married on March 15, 1980 in Nübbel. They moved into a house Klaus built for them and it was there they welcomed their daughters, Bianca and a year later, Melanie. Klaus enjoyed being a new dad, building his business and sitting on the local town council.

Klaus’s sense of adventure was piqued when his brother-in-law, Otti, considered immigrating to Canada as a farmer. A short exploratory trip to Canada confirmed his resolve to make the move and soon the family’s belongings were packed into a container and shipped across the Atlantic. In September 1986, Klaus arrived with his family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Never timid, and leveraging his charisma and professional talents, Klaus quickly settled into his new home, Canada.

Less than a year after arriving he was ready to move out of the busy city. Klaus bought four acres of land on the Assiniboine River in a small town west of Winnipeg, where he built his family’s second home.

During a work trip to Banff, Alberta in 1989, Klaus discovered the stunning lakes and vistas of the Rocky Mountains. His sense of adventure struck once more and Klaus moved his business and family to Canmore, Alberta.  His German precision, attention to detail, and sense of humor endeared him to his clients, many of whom became friends. He became a popular musician entertainer at the Banff Springs Hotel, performing for local guests and tourists from all over the world. During the day he designed and built beautiful showcases for jewelry stores in Banff and Lake Louise.

In the winter of 1991, while he was working a short contract job in Victoria he fell in love with the ocean and the temperate climate, which were similar to the Northern German climate of his birthplace. Less than 2 years later, Klaus again moved his family one last time to BC where he built his dream home on a sunny acreage in Cobble Hill. During the next 30 years, Klaus started two successful businesses, played music with his family, and travelled around North and Central America and Europe. After he retired, never one to be idle, he took up building handmade guitars in his custom built shop.

Klaus was always planning his next adventure. He took an active interest in a range of subjects and loved a friendly debate on politics, history or the economy. Klaus enjoyed going for a beer at the local pub, taking his wife dancing, going for walks and spending time with his family. We will miss our lively dinners, family vacations, competitive soccer matches, card games and having a laugh together. His larger than life presence was a source of joy and those simple everyday moments now form the memories we will always hold dear in our hearts. Klaus never let anything hold him back from pursuing his dreams, he truly lived life to the fullest. He wasn’t afraid of life’s unexpected hurdles or rolling up his sleeves for a little hard work. He was fiercely protective and supportive of his kids, a proud father and grandfather and the best husband and partner he could be to his devoted and loving wife of 44 years.

He was the last to leave a party because he was the life of the party. Even in his final, sometimes difficult years he was our rock; steadfast with a love of life until the very end.

We are grateful for the excellent care he received from his doctors, Dr. Gisela Wenzel-Smith and Dr. Alexandre Henri-Bhargava. We also wish to thank his devoted caregivers, the home support nurses and the palliative team who were incredible and always there when we needed them. Your kindness and dedication made a big difference in Klaus’s life and in ours. In particular we wish to thank Margaret, Fe, Marianne, Julie Ann, Tami, Paivi, Angela, Candice and Susan.

To preserve his memory, we are compiling a photo and condolence book. For those who would like to contribute, please share sentiments and stories of Klaus via email to Klaussolterbeck@gmail.com.

“You gave us a lifetime of laughter and love, and you will live on in our hearts forever.”