ERIK HARALD WADELIUS

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ERIK HARALD WADELIUS On November 18, 2000 Erik Wadelius died peacefully in The Pas at age 87. Erik was born on the Island of Froson near Ostersund, Sweden, July 15, 1913. He came to Canada in 1914 when his family moved to Winnipeg. Erik attended East Kildonan Collegiate and was an accomplished violinist in his youth. He was first violinist with the Winnipeg Orchestra and performed on noon hour radio music programs in the early 1930s. During the depression years he joined a dance band, the "Vagabonds", traveling throughout rural Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 1937, he was offered a job with Sherritt Gordon Mines in Sherridon, Man., eventually becoming a flotation operator. In Sherridon he met his future wife Olive LaFontaine of The Pas. They married in The Pas in 1939 and had three sons. In 1946 Erik and his brother Sten started Wadelius Painting & Decorating in The Pas. In 1958 he became Business Manager for St. Anthonys General Hospital. In 1967 he joined Manitoba Health and Social Development as Regional Administrator, retiring in August, 1978. Erik was a caring community member. He joined The Pas B.P.O. Elks Lodge #135 in 1946, and participated fully in its activities, becoming Exalted Ruler in 1951, Northern District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1954, and was elected President of the Manitoba Elks Association in 1955. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Purple Cross Fund to help needy children get medical care, now a national program. Erik was an original executive member of the Northern Manitoba Trappers Festival, joining the board in 1948, where he was involved in developing the original Rendezvous and Stage Shows. Erik helped to initiate Pony League Baseball, the development of the Agricultural Fair Grounds west of The Pas, chaired the 50th Anniversary Committee of the Town of The Pas in 1962, and participated in the development of The Pas Valhalla Cooperative seniors residence. In 1991 he received a Citizenship Award from the Town, in recognition of his community service. His love of music remained with him all his life, and he participated in many musical productions in The Pas where for many years he led the Mens Community Choir, and played bass fiddle, drums and violin with Vickerys Orchestra. When he learned that his granddaughter Michelle was taking up the violin, he presented her with his violin. Erik loved the North, and especially their cottage "Valhalla" at Clearwater Lake. He strongly maintained that family was all that really mattered in life. Called "Farfar" by his eight grandchildren and family, he was known by all as a gentleman, and for his sense of humour. Erik was predeceased by his mother Signe; his father Wilhelm, and his brother Sten. He leaves for now his wife of 61 years, Olive; his three sons, Vaughn (Rosemarie), Leif-Erik (Charlene) and Lance (Cindy) eight grandchildren, Sean (Karen), Kelly (Lauren), Lisa (Dan), Lara (Scott), Lori, Michelle, Nicole and Kyle; three great-grandchildren, Victoria, Amber and Fallon, and his Swedish cousin Barbro Storm. Prayers and Visitation were held Tuesday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Hemauer Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, with Archbishop Peter Sutton, O.M.I. and Rev. Paul Bringleson presiding. Music Ministry was Teresa Pidskalny and Tanis Asselstine. Readers were Sean Wadelius, Lance Wadelius, and Kelly Wadelius. Memories of the Heart were shared by Vaughn Wadelius and Kelly Wadelius. Michelle Wadelius played a violin solo, "Abide With Me" on Eriks own violin. Adrienne Hrabarchuk and Jennette Roberge led in the closing hymn, "Jirai La Voir Un Jour". Immediately following the service, a time of fellowship and sharing for family and friends was held at the Guy Hall. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Eriks memory may be made to Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children, Suite 100, 2629 - 29th Avenue, Regina, Sask., S4S 2N9 or to The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Box 240, The Pas, Man., R9A 1K4 in Eriks memory. Honorary pallbearers were Eriks eight grandchildren. Honor Guard were members of The Pas Elks Lodge #135. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, in care of arrangements. 623-3261.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2000