ERNST BERNHARD KRAHN

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ERNST BERNHARD KRAHN 1940 - 2014 Ernie Krahn, 73, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2014 at the St. Boniface Hospital with his family by his side. He has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Alice (Neufeld) and her family, daughters Karla and Randall Warkentin, and Karen Krahn, son Kent and Maggie Krahn, as well as grandchildren Marie and Jeremy Reesor, David and Andrew Warkentin, and Gianfranco, Max and Giuseppe Castelli. He will be missed by his sisters Linie and Ted Friesen and Frieda and Rudi Klassen, brother Henry and Cathy Krahn, and brothers-in-law Victor and Martha Thiessen and Carsten and Lurline Nielsen. He was predeceased by his wife Alice (Nielsen), parents Peter B. and Justina Krahn, and siblings Herta Thiessen, George Krahn and Susan Miller. Ernie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 29, 1940, the youngest in a family of three brothers and four sisters. His childhood was spent in Alt-Bergthal and the Sommerfeld School District where his father worked as a school teacher. In 1963 Ernie moved to Morden and established an office for Sill Streuber Fiske & Company. In May 1964 Ernie married Alice Nielsen. They began their married life in an apartment on 12th Street, moving across the street to their own home in 1968. Ernie loved his neighbourhood and remained there for 50 years. Their family quickly grew with the arrival of two daughters and a son. Alice was a devoted homemaker while Ernie worked hard to grow his accounting practice. In 1982 he branched out on his own, forming Krahn & Friesen C.A.'s with Jake Friesen. Ernie's work brought great joy to his life. He loved engaging with his clients. Nothing made him happier than using his creativity to help his clients lower their tax bills. He worked as a chartered accountant for 50 years, only retiring in 2013 when his health prevented him from working further. Alice passed away in 2007 after a lengthy battle with cancer and Ernie found love again two years later with another "Alice." He married Alice Neufeld in August 2009 and they enjoyed four and a half years of marriage. Alice put a spring back in his step and was a great source of strength as his health declined. Ernie was known for his strong faith, sunny disposition, and exuberant generosity. His glass was never half full; it was always overflowing. He was quick to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and he had more friends than he could count. Relationships were forged through the Morden Jogging Club, golf, coffee at the "power table", his beloved church community, Friday morning Men's Prayer Breakfasts and community service. Ernie served on the United Way, Morden Kinsmen Club, Christian Programming Committee, Corn and Apple Festival, and spent 12 years in civic leadership as a town councilor and mayor. In 2012 he received the Community Influence Award in recognition of the time and energy he invested to help his community excel and prosper. The family would like to thank Dr. Bob Menzies, the staff of the Boundary Trails Health Centre and the cardiac team at St. Boniface Hospital for the tender care they gave Ernie as he struggled with heart failure. Your concern and compassion has been a gift to our family. A celebration of Ernie's life will be held at the Westside Community Church, 831 Thornhill St. in Morden on February 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. A private interment will take place prior to the service. As per Ernie's wishes, flowers are gratefully declined. Donations can be made in his memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Many Hands Resource Centre, available at the church. Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden In care of arrangements, 204-822-4755 wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 06, 2014