Obituary of Hugo Walter RENTSCH

July 4, 1946 - March 18, 2024

Hugo Walter Rentsch, age 77, of East Luther, Ontario, passed on suddenly on March 18, 2024.  Born July 4, 1946 in Murten, Switzerland, to Hugo and Maria Rentsch, he married his soulmate, Madeleine, on March 9, 1974. They immigrated to Canada four weeks later and bought a farm in East Luther in 1977, where they put down roots for the next generation.

Family was immensely important to Hugo. He was a Devoted father to Suzanne (Brad), Katherine (Wes), Christopher (Tanya) and Philip, and doting Uncle to his niece Denise (Peter) and their children Lucas, Patrick, and Michelle. He was Grandpapa to William, Declan, Leaf, Max, Finn, Simon, Reese, and Clara. He is survived by his siblings Anne-Marie, Hedi (Kurt), Lisbeth (Sepp) and Fritz (Frieda) and Madeleine’s siblings Therese (Werner), Dani (Lisbeth), Hans (Yolanda), Elisabeth (Godi), Susanne, Maya (Petsch) and Christine and many nieces and nephews. His heart was the fullest when everyone came home – the more the merrier. In the last couple of years Hugo was most often found on the fringes, observing everyone, watching closely with a tear in his eye. He didn’t want to miss a thing.

Hugo was known and loved by many. His ties to the farming community in Dufferin County ran deep, having first come to the area in 1968 as a relief milker. He traveled across much of North America, working on farms across the country, and seeing the sites. Between ’68 and ’74 he went home a few times, where he met Madeleine at a young farmer’s event. Many love letters later he convinced her to marry him and follow him to Canada. 

They started a new life here together, but never forgot where they came from. It was so important to Hugo to keep the Swiss traditions, and Swiss-German was fluently spoken around the dinner table. He encouraged the children at soccer games on the sidelines lines with a quiet “Hopp Nini”, or “Jetzt muesch seckle Christoph”! He was so proud that all the grandchildren can understand Swiss-German, and never hesitated to speak it with them. For many years Hugo and Madeleine hosted an annual party on August 1, the Swiss National Day, bringing much of the expatriate community from far and wide together on their farm for a night of traditional Swiss food and singing. 

He operated a dairy farm in East Luther for 35 years. In that time he became an integral part of the community, serving on various boards and committees. In 1985 he tapped the first maple trees in the hardwood bush at the back of the property, sparking a lifelong passion for making maple syrup, which was shared with friends and family. 

Monticello United Church became a cornerstone of his life, going every Sunday to the little church on the next concession. Singing in the choir, or just singing and music in general, made Hugo happy, and it wasn’t unusual for the family to sing Swiss folk songs on long car rides and around the Christmas tree.  

He loved ice cream at any time and a glass of wine with dinner. He coaxed local restaurants to stock the good bottle of cognac.  He loved to play cards, Jass, the Swiss version of Euchre was a particular favourite, and he never missed an opportunity to teach or play with the grandkids. He had a nick name, a joke or a special saying for everyone. His two most important accessories were a pocketknife and a handkerchief. He loved to be useful, helping out on the farm in retirement in any capacity. Everyone agreed that no one could drive a tractor quite like Hugo could. He had recently shared that he was finally realizing his childhood dream job of driving a tractor for a living.

The family will receive friends on Thursday April 4th, 2024, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and 7:00pm – 9:00pm at In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc. located at 28 Main Street North Grand Valley, On L9W 5S7.

Funeral Service will take place on Friday April 5th, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Monticello United Church - located at 401247 Dufferin County Rd. 15, Grand Valley, Ontario L9W 0Y9. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.

In LIEU of flowers, please consider donations to the Monticello United Church - Cheques/Cash for collection, Friends of the Orphans Canada, or Headwaters Health Care Foundation (Equipment Fund) in Memory of Hugo.

Online condolences can be made at www.imfunerals.com

In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc. has been given the honour to serve the Rentsch family.