BERNHARD JOSEF ELSKAMP

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BERNHARD JOSEF ELSKAMP With deep sorrow we announce the sudden passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at the Grace Hospital with his family by his side. Berhard was born September 7, 1929, in Rheddebrugge, Germany. He was one of five children. He spent his youth on the family farm in Rheddebrugge. As a young man he participated in the family farm, later drove truck and worked on various farms in the area. His dream was to become a farmer and Canada provided that opportunity. Ben and Ursula grew up together and on May 8, 1957, they married. They soon began their family and their son Bernfried was born. They immigrated to Canada with Opa (Heinrich Moellenbeck), arriving in 1959. They sailed to Montreal and then took the train to Winnipeg. They chose to settle in Woodlands. Together they purchased a farm and started the dairy that same summer which exits today. Over the next few years, five other children were born, Dorothea, Monica, Lorina, Ingrid and Thomas and as a result productivity on the farm greatly increased! He enjoyed many happy times with his "other children", the Moellenbeck kids. He was Uncle Ben to Cheryl, Diane, Doreen, Darren, Sharon and their families. Their phone calls and visits brought joy to his life. Papa had many interests and explored many of them during his retirement years. These included bees, horses, purple martin houses, refurbishing a John Deere tractor, and auction sales with friends. He had the most success as a wonderful and caring Papa, Grandpa, Opa and Gross Opa. One of his greatest enjoyments was to drive. He enjoyed driving through the countryside with Mama noting the changes occurring in the landscape, the seasons changing and looking for and admiring the straight lines in the fields. He took pride in being the farm's "Parts Guy", jumping in the truck to travel all over Manitoba with cellular in hand. Papa loved farming. He valued hard work and encouraged all those who participated in the farm to work hard. Papa and Mama gave their children the gift of a strong work ethic, fairness, courage, community, appreciation of all living things, and a responsibility to help others. Papa was a proud, founding member of the Woodlands Church of Annunciation. His faith was important to him. Our faith has sustained and supported us through the past week. One of Papa's mottos was "The family that prays and works together stays together" and he tried to live his life with this motto in mind. Papa enjoyed travelling and most of his travels centered around family and friends. It was important for him to maintain close ties. Our home was a revolving door of visitors coming from all over especially Germany. Our German visitors helped build the bridge between the world we knew and the world our parents had left behind. He is survived by his loving wife, Ursula of almost 56 years, Bernie (Betsy), Dorothy (Neil), Monica (Dale), Lorina (Dan), Ingrid (Scott), Tom (Kris) and grandchildren, Ben (Ashley), Aaron (Stephanie), Becky (Yanni), Lisa (Wes), Evan (Amy), Joel (Gina), Reiss, Lindsay, Katie, Michael, Owen, Hanna and Izzy and great-grandson Joshua. Bernhard was predeceased by his parents, Wilhelm and Theresa, sister Maria and brother Stephan. The Funeral Mass will be held at the Woodlands Church of the Annunciation on Friday, January 11, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Father Michel Nault will officiate. The Rosary will be said before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Honorary Pallbearers will be Berhard's grandchildren. The family wishes to extend their thanks to Dr. Kinnear, Dr. Ross, Dr. Grunfeld and staff at the ICU at the Grace Hospital. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the "Church of Annunciation" - Cemetery Fund or to CancerCare Manitoba. MACKENZIE FUNERAL CHAPEL STONEWALL (204) 467-2525 mackhome@mts.net

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 09, 2013