Obituary of Elric Earl

B I O G R A P H Y EARL: Elric Earl passed away in the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Monday, January 14, 2008 at the age of 97 years. The memorial service for Elric was conducted from the Kitscoty Community Hall, Kitscoty, Alberta on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. A eulogy was given by Richelle Connaghan. The organist was Irene Knowlson. Urn bearers were grandsons: Dustin Earl and Aaron Winterhalt. Interment followed in the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Elric Earl April 12, 1916 to January 14, 2008 Grandpa was born on April 12, 1916 at Section 15, Range 22, Township 12, West of the 3rd on the family homestead approximately four miles from Sidewood, Saskatchewan, to parents, Charles and Florence Earl. Grandpa grew up in this farming community with his brothers and sisters, Charles, Hilda, Percy, Brinson, and Dorothy and other family members who had also emigrated from the Lowestoft area of England years earlier. Grandpa would speak of riding horses to school and the school marm there. He attneded a one room school at Sidewood for Grades 1 and 2 and then moved to the newly built school in Beaverdam for Grade 3. Grandpa was quite a quiet man however when he did talk, he loved to remember and talk about the homesteading days and stories of prairie life. It was at these times his eyes would light up as he talked of farming life, working with and riding the horses, playing baseball - things he remained passionate about throughout his life. When Grandpa was 10, the family made the decision to move to the Lloydminster area. Opportunities in the south were becoming limited and news of the growing community of Lloydminster was spreading so Grandpa and his family packed up their belongings and joined the wagon train up here. It was a tough haul so when the wagon broke down, Grandpa's mother was going no further. The family then settled near Thomasville where Grandpa returned to school and eventually completed his Grade 9. Life revolved around the farm, helping family and neighbours. Calving in spring and working as a stoker with his horse team in the summers where he earned $3 per day plus feed for the team. He loved working with horses and held fond memories for a few of the horses he kept throughout his life. A special one was "Royal Visit" a colt with speed in his legs. Grandpa knew that this colt was going to be a race horse and had hopes of coming away with winnings of $2.50 per race as was the purse at the horse races at Thomasville at that time. Unfortunately, this colt died of navel disease before his mettle could be proven. The horse team pictured in the memorial card, Socs and Silver, was his last team and helped Grandpa and Grandma through many difficult times. In the winter, Grandpa would work with Percy Willoughby in the bush and muskeg near Edson driving log trucks. They even attempted logging however could never get the knack of working together to saw back and forth. At the close of one winter, Percy introduced him to the snow flea - noticing these black bugs starting to collect on the snow banks. Percy knew these bugs meant spring was coming soon and they had to get out. That winter spring came very early trapping a number of men behind the mud of the muskeg. From then on, Grandpa always knew to look out for the snow flea. With work also came fun. Grandpa taking part in the community picnics, afternoon games of hockey on the Thomasville lake and the challenge of coming away with trophies from the municipal softball tournaments. Grandpa loved his ball and played for years as a back catcher. I remember a lot of times where he would pull out his glove and play with us kids or come out and watch our games. He was always available for coaching tips and wanted to see us make some great plays out on the field. In 1941, Grandpa enlisted in the Canadian Army to joined the Allied effort in World War II. He trained as a gunner in the anti aircraft team. I remember Grandpa proudly showing us a collection of coins from the countries he had served in during the War. He had served in Sicily, Italy, Belgium and Holland - all the hotspots of WWII. He never really spoke of the hardships he lived through overseas but when asked, would share stories such as the time his sister, Dorothy, sent him a care package while he was still stationed in Halifax. It was re-routed to England after the troop was moved and he eventually received it one year later. A care package was a pretty special gift - especially when it promised real food - however, when he opened it, he found a very dehydrated and beyond inedible chicken. He also spoke of the time where he and his troop had secured a roast of fresh beef to cook - a very special event during the War. A local dog happened to smell out this treat as well as the story goes, there was no more roast or dog for that matter to enjoy it any further. Should you also ever take a trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, be sure to walk up to the top as Grandpa's initials are carved there along with his troop mates. Grandpa was in Holland when war was finally declared over. He remembers this news arriving as he and the other Canadians were playing a baseball game against the Americans, which the Canadians won of course! He was very proud of his role, his uniform and the sacrifices made to secure freedom. He returned to Canada a decorated soldier and was able to celebrate Remembrance Day again this past November in Kitscoty where he was a lifetime member of the Legion. After his formal discharge in Calgary in December 1945, Grandpa returned to Kitscoty where he started working at MacLeods' general merchandise store in Lloydminster earning 33 1/3 cents per hour. He spoke of being able to earn more money by trapping muskrats which he also did receiving 75 cents per skin. Grandpa eventually saved enough money to buy land south of the Thomasville school at a tax sale and was able to return to a life of farming. During this time, Grandpa was introduced to a young lady by the name of Audrey Bysouth, by his sister, Dorothy. Audrey had been a boarder at Dorothy and her husband, Ellwoods' home, and had seen pictures and heard stories of Grandpa long before. He courted her with walks home from work, drive in the Nash and his favourite poem The Cremation of Sam McGee. Grandpa and Grandma were then married on April 16, 1949 in Lloydminster and returned to the old homestead to begin their life together. Grandpa and Grandma had three children, Evelyn, Ken and Cathie. Grandpa continued to farm, work with horses and also served as the Thomasville Hall president from 1954 to 1982. He loved this community, his family and neighbours and was passionate about his cowboy roots - enjoying his horses, the land and spirit of freedom. He also became known as the caller for the local Square Dancing events and loved his country music. As he moved into his retirement, Grandpa served as the Town Man of Kitscoty which he really enjoyed and remained for 3 years in the 1980's. Grandpa and Grandma then decided to move to town in 1991 after renovating grannie and granddad's house where he could enjoy his other passions of golfing, playing cards, gardening, visiting neighbours, participating in Legion activities, holidaying with Grandma and enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was quite the card player and liked to gamble on the long shot stressing out any 500 partner he might have bidding on their hand and the missy but having no helping cards in his own hand. He also loved the Yukon and was able to visit there with Grandma seeking the land of Old Sam McGee. He was also a man who loved his peanut brittle and other goodies Grandma would make for him having a real sweet tooth that didn't quite mix with his diabetes. He also loved to read stories from the past of cowboys and the pioneers of this country as he had essentially lived it himself. Grandpa is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Audrey, my Grandma. His sister-in-law, Margaret Earl, his aunt, Edith Earl and her children, daughter, Evelyn and her husband, Ernie Brazunas, son, Ken and his wife, Maralynn Earl, daughter, Cathie and her husband, Paul Winterhalt. His grandchildren, Evelyn's children, Richelle and Todd Connaghan, Marnie and Cam Davidson, Kara and Steven Reynolds, Ken's children, Dustin and Nicole Earl, Kim Earl and Lynden Ford, Cathie's children, Aaron and Ashlyn Winterhalt. And his Great Grandchildren, Kaitlyn Earl, Jarret Earl, Lucas Earl, Logan Davidson, and Adam Connaghan. Grandpa, we wish to thank you for setting such an example for all of us. We love you and will remember you always. In closing, I would like to share a few lines of a song I thought fits my Grandpa ... The cowboy lives forever As long as there's a faded paid of blue jeans Wide brimmed hats and leather And dreams ... Card of Thanks We, the family of Elric Earl, wish to extend our sincerest thanks to Reverend Bob Aldrich for all his support and comforting words, the organist, Irene Knowlson, for her beautiful music, the Kitscoty Legion for the Colour Guard and their thoughtfulness, Richelle Connaghan for composing and reading the eulogy, Dustin Earl and Aaron Winterhalt for bearing the urn, Glenn McCaw and his staff for their kindness and support at this time, friends from the Fort Pitt Hutterite Colony for their gift of music and hymns, and the Kitscoty Community Hall for supplying a wonderful lunch. As well, to everyone who sent memorial donations, flowers, cards, food to our homes, and called us with words of support. We also wish to thank the staff at the Jubilee Home for providing such wonderful care to Elric and for surrounding him with love and kindness over the last year; especially in the last few days of his life. We also want acknowledge Dr. Cavanagh for his years of care and attentiveness toward Elric and family. Audrey Earl Evelyn Brazunas and family Ken Earl and family Cathie Winterhalt and family Donations in memory of Elric may be made to the Jubilee Home Comfort Fund c/o 3820-43 Avenue Lloydminster, SK S9V 1Y5 or to a Charity of the Donor's Choice.