Wilmer Kornelson

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WILMER KORNELSON
August 18, 1931 – December 14, 2015

Wilmer Kornelson, age 84, passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, December 14, 2015 at the St. Boniface Hospital, surrounded by his family. Wilmer was born August 18, 1931 to John and Elizabeth (Dueck) Kornelson in McTavish, Manitoba, the fourth of six children. He received most of his education in Rosenort, MB, and moved to Mexico with his parents in 1948.

Wilmer gave his heart to the Lord at the age of 18 and was baptized on the confession of his faith in 1949. While Wilmer and Anne lived in the same vicinity in Manitoba, they did not meet until both had moved to Mexico. Wilmer and Anne were married on February 8, 1953.

Wilmer spent his early adult years as a cowboy on a large ranch, breaking horses and cooking for the cowboys during round up season. Later his father bought a store and Wilmer began hauling goods for the store which later expanded into a trucking career hauling machinery from the US to the Mennonite settlements in Mexico.

In 1956, Wilmer and Anne moved back to Canada where he drove for Winnipeg Transit for a number of years before going back to what he loved best, the long distance trucking industry, an occupation he held with pride for the remainder of his employment years. He spent 17 years in the department of personnel development and developed and contributed many programs to enhance driver training initiatives at Reimer Express Lines and for the Manitoba Trucking Association, to which his many awards and acknowledgements attest. But he never forgot the enjoyment he had found in long distance driving and as retirement loomed he went back to his first love, driving, which he enjoyed until his retirement.

Wilmer enjoyed writing and wrote memoirs, long letters to his children and grandchildren celebrating their milestones. He wrote poetry for memorable events like Christmas, anniversaries, weddings and poems inspired by deep reflections on his faith. He loved to cook, perhaps inspired by his experiences of open fires on the range, cooking from scratch. Wilmer also loved to travel. Wilmer served as a deacon in the Crestview EMC in Winnipeg and later in retirement at the Steinbach EMC.

Wilmer is survived by his wife Anne of almost 63 years; children Marlene(Harold) Reimer,

Richard(Roseann) Kornelson, Gerald Kornelson(Carol), Anne Marie (Art) Funk, John(Elaine) Kornelson, Ken(Anabelle) Kornelson, Rhonda(Chad) McCue; Barron Kornelson; 22 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren; 1 sister Shirley(Richard) Plett and 1 brother Henry(Mary) Kornelson and many other loving nieces, nephews and relatives. He was predeceased by two sisters: Margaret (Henry) Klassen, Mary(Pete) Dueck and one brother: Kenneth Kornelson.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Steinbach EMC Church, 422 Main Street, Steinbach with Pastor Gary Koop officiating. The viewing will take place prior to the service. With the burial at the Heritage Cemetery in Steinbach.

Friends may visit with the family at a memorial service on Friday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach.

Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Dec 16, 2015