Alfred Kihn

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALFRED KIHN
July 18, 1926-Dec. 8, 2016

Alfred Kihn was born on July 18, 1926 in Steinbach (Friedensfeld), MB and passed away on Dec. 8, 2016 in Didsbury, AB. He was a loving husband to wife Ida (nee Freier) and father to six children, Helga (Dan), Linda (Terry), David, Mark, Timothy (Tammy), and Ronald. Alfred also was grandfather to 12 grandchildren (one deceased) and he was a great-grandfather to seven.

Alfred was born in the family farmhouse in the Friedensfeld District to Emil and Anna (Zelmer) Kihn. He was one of 11 children (seven boys, four girls) born to German immigrants who had arrived in the early 1900s. Alfred is survived by one brother, Walter, of Emerson, MB, and three sisters, Pauline Marshall (Ernie) of Binscarth, MB, Caroline Freier (Alvin) of Binscarth, and Rosina Volkenant (David) of Tolstoi, MB. Alfred was predeceased by his parents and brothers Martin, Joseph, Leopold, Theofield, Eduard, and a sister, Helena.

After grade school in Friedensfeld, Alfred worked on the family farm. In his later teens, he headed to NW Ontario’s forests to labour in bush camps, cutting and hauling logs for the lumber and pulp and paper industries. In summers he worked on Manitoba road-building crews.

In spring 1944, he answered the Draft Notice for WWII recruits and made his way to Winnipeg for his medical exam. Since the war was almost over, he and many other farm boys were sent home immediately to plant the spring crops.

While working in Dryden, ON, Alfred met Ida on a Sunday morning at Our Saviour Lutheran Church. They married on Apr. 22, 1955. Alfred ran his trucking business hauling pulpwood for Dryden Paper. Six children and 12 years later, they moved to a Basswood, MB farm.

In 1978, they moved to Creston, BC where Alfred again got involved in the lumber industry. In 1989, Alfred and Ida relocated to Didsbury for retirement.

Alfred was always active in his Lutheran Church, serving on a board or as the most dedicated snow blower and lawnmower operator in Didsbury.

His talents were hands-on skill and determination to fix a bulldozer in the harsh Ontario northwoods at -30ºC; instinct to find the best saskatoon berry patches; and inventiveness plus a “can do” attitude to repair heavy equipment and farm machinery.

As a child, Alfred experienced the Great Depression. Those 10 desperate years shaped his character: nothing wasted, always save for tomorrow, and work hard without hesitation. One of his favourite sayings was “Work is its own reward.”

Alfred’s last two years were lived out at the Bethany Care Centre where he struggled with dementia. After several falls and with the resulting pain, our good Lord chose to call him Home

His funeral was held Dec. 13, 2016 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with Pastor Darren Dressler presiding. Alfred was buried in the Didsbury Cemetery.

Memorial gifts (tax receiptable) may be made to Redeemer Lutheran, Box 487, Didsbury, AB, T0M 0W0.

As published in The Carillon on Jun 28, 2017