Obituary of Edward Kornelsen

August 20, 1934 – January 28, 2013 It is with sadness and grief that we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. After a courageous battle with cancer, while also dealing with heart disease, Dad left us to be with his Lord and Saviour on Monday, January 28th, 2013. Dad will be dearly missed by his wife of nine years, Leila (nee Schellenberg) of Saskatoon; his children, Debra (Jim) Bendel and her children, Amanda (John) Lindberg and their son Korbin, and Travis (Laura Gessell) Dyck; Dwight (Darlene) Kornelsen and their son Evan; Dawn (Greg) Erker and their children Emily, Elizabeth and Bobby; and Dean (Shannon) Kornelsen and their son Seth. Also mourning his loss are Leila’s children, Marla (Tim) Benell and their son Garrett; Darcy (Kim) Schellenberg and their children, Kendall and Quinton. Also grieving his loss are all the members of our Siemens and Epp families. Dad is survived by his siblings, Margaret Pankratz, Jake Kornelsen, Anne Boehr and sister-in-law, Lena (William) Kornelsen, as well as many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his first wife of forty six years, Agnes (Siemens) Kornelsen; his parents Johann and Katharina; step mother Katherine Derksen; siblings Helen, Jacob, Isaac (Maria), John (Margaret), Katie (Peter) Sawatzky, Maria, Sarah, Cornelius and William; also brothers-in-law Peter Sawatzky, Fred Boehr, Jacob Pankratz; sisters-in-law Maria, Margaret and Gerda (Jake). Dad’s childhood was spent helping on the family farm near Watrous. After completing high school and attending Bible School at Rosthern, Dad took over the family farm. Dad and Mom were married October 1, 1955 at the North Star Mennonite Church in Drake. Dad and Mom were very active in their home church, Bethany Mennonite, with Dad participating as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Chairman and Deacon. While raising their family, they farmed together, developing their farm into a successful dairy business. Dad served on the Board of the Saskatchewan Dairy Producers Association for many years. Family vacations were few but there were occasional trips to the mountains and camping and fishing trips that we all enjoyed. Though he didn’t get to do it often, Dad loved fishing and not much made him happier than pulling in a big one! Upon retirement Dad and Mom took in many country gospel jamborees, enjoying travelling and staying in their fifth wheel. Retirement was clouded when Mom passed away in 2002. Dad and Leila were married on July 5, 2003. They lived on the farm at Watrous for the first couple of years and then moved to Saskatoon. They attended First Mennonite Church, Dad participating as Deacon and occasionally as Worship Leader. Sunday lunch out with friends and family was a regular and much enjoyed custom. Dad and Leila enjoyed travelling and went on two trips to Mexico, a Caribbean cruise as well as a cruise to Alaska. The family would like to send our heartfelt thank you to the St. Paul’s Hospital Palliative Care Unit, RUH 6200 ward and RUH Emergency doctors, nurses and staff. A celebration of Dad’s faithful walk with Christ will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Mennonite Church, 418 Queen Street, Saskatoon, SK. The Interment will take place in Bethany Mennonite Church Cemetery, Watrous at 10:00 a.m. February 5th. Memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 600 – 45th St. West, Saskatoon, SK S7L 5W9. Informal viewing and visitation will be available at Funk’s Funeral Home, 1010 7th Street, Rosthern (306-232-5245,) on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm.