1932
Elmer
2025
Elmer Krushel
October 2, 1932 — February 20, 2025
Karl Elmer Krushel
October 2, 1932 – February 20, 2025
Elmer’s family is sad to announce the passing of their beloved father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend in the early morning hours of February 20, 2025 following a brief illness. He was 92 years old. Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Louise (nee Topnik), brother Howard, and wife Diana (nee Zanke).
Elmer was born on a rural property near the town of Weidenfeld, Manitoba. His growing up years were spent in various locations around southern Manitoba, wherever his father, a rural school teacher, was working. After graduating high school, Elmer went to Normal School for a year, after which he taught school for three years in the same rural school district as his father.
In 1955, after he decided to leave teaching, Elmer enrolled at the University of Manitoba where he obtained his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees. It was at that time that he met Diana Zanke and in July 1960, they married.
After a brief stint working for the government of Canada at CFB Suffield in southeastern Alberta, the newlyweds returned to Winnipeg where Elmer took a job teaching at Silver Heights Collegiate. That lasted only a year, when another career beckoned, this time as a clinical chemist in the pathology lab at Deer Lodge Hospital (now Deer Lodge Centre). Soon, Eric was born, followed shortly thereafter by Brian and Keith.
While working at Deer Lodge, Elmer went back to the University of Manitoba and in May 1969, he graduated with his PhD. In 1983, Elmer moved on to the lab at Misericordia General Hospital in Winnipeg where he stayed until he retired in December 1999. He and Diana then moved to South Surrey, BC. Elmer remained in the house they built after Diana passed away in January 2010, right up to December 2023 when he went to live at Rosemary Heights Senior Village.
Late in his life, Elmer enjoyed spending much time with his companion Erna Keil. The two of them travelled extensively and shared a love of music, often playing the accordion together.
In addition to the accordion, Elmer played guitar. He enjoyed golfing well into his retirement and was a dedicated CFL football fan, holding season tickets for both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the BC Lions. He was also an avid collector, collecting everything from coins to Inuit carvings to antique pocket watches and clocks which he would also repair and restore.
Elmer will be lovingly remembered by sons Eric (Heather), Brian (Karen) and Keith (Marnie), grandchildren Colton, Christian, Matthias, Benjamin, Abigail, Joshua, Willem and Grace, sister-in-law Lee Krushel and several nephews and nieces.
Elmer was rarely without a smile on his face and a kind word for whomever he was chatting with. He had time for everyone, loved God's creation (especially as narrated through the words of Ernest Thompson Seton), and lived to his last day in the Lutheran faith of his upbringing.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Fry and the many nurses and care aides on the second floor of Peace Arch Hospital for all the care and attention they gave dad in his last 50 days. Thanks are also due to Dr. Baasch for the many years of care and advice he gave dad.
A memorial service will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church (2350 148th Street, Surrey, BC) his church home for the last 25 years where he had many friends, was a member of the choir and served on several committees, on Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Lori-Anne Boutin-Crawford presiding. Donations in memory of Elmer can be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church (mountolivelutheran.ca) or Peace Arch Hospital Foundation (pahfoundation.ca).
Elmer Krushel Memorial Service
youtube.com
https://www.youtube.com/live/5GzO9omYX60
October 2, 1932 – February 20, 2025
Elmer’s family is sad to announce the passing of their beloved father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle and friend in the early morning hours of February 20, 2025 following a brief illness. He was 92 years old. Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Henry and Louise (nee Topnik), brother Howard, and wife Diana (nee Zanke).
Elmer was born on a rural property near the town of Weidenfeld, Manitoba. His growing up years were spent in various locations around southern Manitoba, wherever his father, a rural school teacher, was working. After graduating high school, Elmer went to Normal School for a year, after which he taught school for three years in the same rural school district as his father.
In 1955, after he decided to leave teaching, Elmer enrolled at the University of Manitoba where he obtained his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees. It was at that time that he met Diana Zanke and in July 1960, they married.
After a brief stint working for the government of Canada at CFB Suffield in southeastern Alberta, the newlyweds returned to Winnipeg where Elmer took a job teaching at Silver Heights Collegiate. That lasted only a year, when another career beckoned, this time as a clinical chemist in the pathology lab at Deer Lodge Hospital (now Deer Lodge Centre). Soon, Eric was born, followed shortly thereafter by Brian and Keith.
While working at Deer Lodge, Elmer went back to the University of Manitoba and in May 1969, he graduated with his PhD. In 1983, Elmer moved on to the lab at Misericordia General Hospital in Winnipeg where he stayed until he retired in December 1999. He and Diana then moved to South Surrey, BC. Elmer remained in the house they built after Diana passed away in January 2010, right up to December 2023 when he went to live at Rosemary Heights Senior Village.
Late in his life, Elmer enjoyed spending much time with his companion Erna Keil. The two of them travelled extensively and shared a love of music, often playing the accordion together.
In addition to the accordion, Elmer played guitar. He enjoyed golfing well into his retirement and was a dedicated CFL football fan, holding season tickets for both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the BC Lions. He was also an avid collector, collecting everything from coins to Inuit carvings to antique pocket watches and clocks which he would also repair and restore.
Elmer will be lovingly remembered by sons Eric (Heather), Brian (Karen) and Keith (Marnie), grandchildren Colton, Christian, Matthias, Benjamin, Abigail, Joshua, Willem and Grace, sister-in-law Lee Krushel and several nephews and nieces.
Elmer was rarely without a smile on his face and a kind word for whomever he was chatting with. He had time for everyone, loved God's creation (especially as narrated through the words of Ernest Thompson Seton), and lived to his last day in the Lutheran faith of his upbringing.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Fry and the many nurses and care aides on the second floor of Peace Arch Hospital for all the care and attention they gave dad in his last 50 days. Thanks are also due to Dr. Baasch for the many years of care and advice he gave dad.
A memorial service will be held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church (2350 148th Street, Surrey, BC) his church home for the last 25 years where he had many friends, was a member of the choir and served on several committees, on Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm with Rev. Lori-Anne Boutin-Crawford presiding. Donations in memory of Elmer can be made to Mount Olive Lutheran Church (mountolivelutheran.ca) or Peace Arch Hospital Foundation (pahfoundation.ca).
Elmer Krushel Memorial Service
youtube.com
https://www.youtube.com/live/5GzO9omYX60
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