Lester Lucille Rempel (Burau) was born on October 19, 1929, in Brooks, AB, to Pauline Burau. Lester’s father, Lester Morris Burau, contracted appendicitis in early October and died on October 8, 1929, 11 days before her birth. Mom was named after her father.

Lester was raised on her Mother’s farm in Bassano, happy days of freedom, fun, horse riding, and time with her dogs and animals. Lester’s education was at Clancy, Bassano and Brooks, plus the example of her hard-working, God loving Mother.

When Lester was 15, a Male Quartet visited their church, where she finally decided to commit her life “wholeheartedly” to Jesus Christ. That fall she also met a young man who worked in the district, Abe Rempel. Following Grade 12, Lester attended Prairie Bible College in Three Hills, AB. She studied there for 4 years and graduated in 1951. Abe was also attending, graduating in 1952. In his memoirs, he wrote, “In 1944 I met a young lady, Lester Burau, who so impressed me that I pursued her until our marriage in July 1952.

Following their marriage, they resided in Brooks, where Lester worked as a telephone operator, Abe as a truck driver, as well as the couple taking on the preaching, bible studies, Sunday school, Senior and Junior choirs and Young People's Gatherings in their church.

In 1955 they left Brooks to go to their first pastorate in Terrace, BC, under the Evangelical Free Church. It was a small group to begin with. Carol was born in 1956 and Kathy in 1958. Visitation, Vacation Bible Schools, Summer camps, youth work and good Bible teaching caused the church to grow. When the Rempel’s moved to Kamloops in 1963, a thriving church of 145-180 was left.

They served in Kamloops EFC from 1963 through 1966, where Paula joined the family in 1966. Their next move was to Regina, SK, from 1966 to 1972; Pamela was born in 1969. In 1972, they left the city behind to move to a country church at Mt. Olive EFC in Three Hills, AB. Eight happy years were spent there.

Moves to Vauxhall, AB, and then a final pastorate in Coronation, AB, followed, after which Abe retired, and they moved back to Three Hills. Along this multi-stop journey, additional lives became dear to our family, Sheila Williams and Pauline and Abram Gibson.

Lester had various jobs during those years: a salesperson for World Book from 1973-1983, and as a Recreation Therapist at Coronation Nursing Home and Long-Term Care from 1983-1993.

Our mother had a strong faith, which was her stronghold during life’s harder times. Carol and her husband Bill were killed in a car accident in 1984, a loss no parent can imagine, but one Mom and Dad carried with honesty and grace. Mom also had a consuming love of music, harmonizing with Dad during many family road trips, a love of games, where she would always manage a win, and desserts, nothing more needs to be said here. We kids could usually end a lecture by bringing out Mom’s sense of humour, ending in laughter. She often said she couldn’t imagine life without laughter and fun.

Lester will be remembered by her remaining daughters, their husbands, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many friends and others impacted by her smile.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Mt. Olive Evangelical Free Church, Three Hills, AB, with light refreshments to follow after the Service.

If family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Gideon International Bibles or the Prairie Bible College.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Lester's family here.