It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of John Alfred Wehrstedt at the age of 86 at the Dryden Regional Hospital on May 21, 2026, with his son and daughter by his side.
John grew up in the Eagle River area with a large immediate and extended family. In 1959, he married Irene Friesen from Vermilion Bay, who he raised 3 children with and celebrated 64 years together before Irene passed away in 2024.
John cut wood for the Dryden Mill for 25 years. In the early 1970’s, he started farming while still working for the mill. His farm started out with just 4 cows, which grew over the years to include up to 45 cattle, various poultry, German Shepherds, and pigs, in addition to growing hay and grain crops for feed and sale. In the mid-80’s, he retired from the Mill and continued to farm, and with Irene at his side, took a risk and created his own company, Northern Eagle Enterprises. John went on to hold contracts for the Dryden Tree Nursey, Waste Disposal Sites, and Snow Plowing. John and Irene were inseparable and worked together every day in all aspects of their life with family, friends, the farm and business ventures, contributing to their sense of success. In recent years, John had “slowed” down, but continued to run his business and grow crops despite several health conditions.
John was dedicated to his family and was a loving father and husband. He expected his children to work hard, do their best and excel at whatever they did in life. This resulted in all 3 children attending and graduating from post-secondary school and sharing his value of a strong work ethic and strong commitment to family.
He enjoyed auction sales, war and action movies, conversation with family and friends, and had a particular fondness for cats (especially orange ones). John loved to BBQ any season of the year and was known to flip a very tasty steak or burger. His TV was always set to the Pink Panther reruns or the YouTube channel, where his favorite programs about Asian street cuisine, ‘How Things are Made’ and bloopers on any subject imaginable could be found. John enjoyed travelling frequently, whether it was a day trip hunting up farm machinery, long-weekends travelling though the States, travelling across Canada to visit family or friends, or taking trips with Irene and his brother Leo (Carol) to Europe to visit distant family.
He lived life to the fullest and his number one priority was supporting the family and extended family.
He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
John is survived by his son Jay (Carmen) Wehrstedt, daughter Kathy (Bill) Aho, grandchildren Michael, Johann, Caj, Samantha, Mackenzie and Hunter, and great-grandchildren Lucas and Addison. John is also survived by his siblings Leo (Carol), Glen and Wayne (Gwen) Wehrstedt, and Wendy (Keith) Irvine. John was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph and Rose (Korzinski) Wehrstedt, his son Lance, grandson Lance Jr., and his brother Roy Wehrstedt.
We would like to thank the Dryden Regional Hospital professional staff for the compassionate care they provided John and his family during the last day of his life.
A Celebration of Life and interment will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Waldhof Cemetery with Ron Booi officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Vermilion Bay Lions Club. Friends and family are invited back to the farm to visit and reminisce after the luncheon.
Donations can be made to the Vermilion Bay Lions Club, PO Box 314, Vermilion Bay, ON P0V 2V0.
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