EMIL SPRENGER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

EMIL SPRENGER
February 24, 1929 - April 27, 2022

Emil passed away in the afternoon of Wednesday, April 27, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.
He is survived by his sons, Reinhard (Mary-Jane) and Harry; granddaughter Crystal Verhaeghe (Corey); grandsons, Nathan Seager and Aaron Seager (Meredith); and great-grandson Luca.
He was predeceased by his wife Herta Sprenger; parents, Maria Borchert and Jacob Sprenger as well as six brothers and one sister.
Emil was born in Romania and immigrated to Canada after the Second World War. He met his future wife on the boat crossing the Atlantic. Initially he went to work in a logging camp outside of Edmonton, cutting chords of wood all day. Soon after, they got married and worked on a farm near Portage La Prairie where he put his Degree in Agriculture to good use while forging wonderful friendships with the Hutterite people on the neighbouring colony. Next was a farm on Wilkes Avenue back when that was real farm country. Following that, were several homes in Winnipeg with a long stay in St. James where the boys grew up and then eventually settling in Elmwood. He spent the last four years at The Waverly retirement home.
From the early 1970s to the mid 1990s Emil and Herta owned and operated New Way Rug and Drapery. Emil took pride in his work and worked hard. He loved what he did and it showed.
Emil was amongst the world's best gardeners. Along with the numerous vegetables in the garden he also loved growing grapes for his wine and the most beautiful roses. His favourite ones were yellow. His rose garden surely would have won awards.
He was a member of the Shriners for many decades and made many lifelong friends and contributed so much to the community. He drove cancer patients to their appointments, visited kids in the burn unit at the hospital and so much more.
Summers were spent at Hillside Beach with tons of friends and family, especially his granddaughter Crystal. Being a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life and everyone knew it.
Anyone who knew Emil knew he was a good story teller. He lived a full life and loved telling you about it! He never met a stranger and had that ability to make people smile. He always appreciated the simple things in life: birds, the lake, sitting with a friend and talking over a beer or a 'short one.'
The family extends their warmest thanks to the staff at The Waverly for their care and compassion and Riverview Health Centre for the wonderful care they provided in his last weeks of life, ensuring he remained pain-free and comfortable.
Emil had a lot of advice over the years but the one that stands out is simple: "Always be nice to people."
A celebration of Emil's life will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. at 6:00 p.m. with viewing taking place one hour prior from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Reception to immediately follow the Celebration of Life.
For those who wish to attend the funeral virtually the link is below.

https://youtu.be/-YoK0Sdgrms

This link will be available to view post service for those who are unable to attend.

THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
204-925-1120
Condolences may be sent to
www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 30, 2022