Obituary of Ernie Kuefler

Ernest "Ernie" Valens Kuefler: May 21, 1927 – January 14, 2017. Ernie passed away peacefully at the Galahad Care Centre on Jan. 14, 2017 at the age of 89. He is survived by his children Tim (Vi); Mary Jane (Monart); Felix (Pat); Philip; Daniel (Shirley); and Valerie. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Katherine, Jacqueline, Aura, Nova, Morgan, Anne, Alexander, Victor, Shayla, and Emily; 2 great grandchildren: Benjamin and Solan; and his brother Pat (Margaret) Kuefler; many nieces and nephews, numerous other family members and friends. Ernie was predeceased by his beloved wife Anne; his oldest son, Thomas; siblings Sister Constance Kuefler; Irene (Matisz) Wells; Hilda MacDonald; Sarah Kuefler; Josephine Kuefler; Reverends Juniper, Edwin and Mathias Kuefler; and parents, Mathias and Anna Kuefler. Ernie was born the 6th in a family of 10 in Galahad, Alberta. When his oldest sister and brothers left home for religious studies, Ernie worked for his father and eventually took over the running of the family business, studying at Business School in Edmonton. He met Anne there and they married in 1950, building a house in Galahad and soon having seven children. Ernie worked hard to support them, doing business in hardware, bulk fuels, John Deere farm machinery, and farmed, while also being very active in the community. Ernie moved his family to Sherwood Park in 1965, where he continued his business career, particularly as hardware manager at Prudham Building Supplies in Edmonton. He loved growing things, and with Anne, cultivated their yard with many fruit trees and roses. Ernie also loved to build and repair all manner of things. He built a dedicated building in his yard for this purpose with the sign “Ernie’s Fix-it Shop”. You can only imagine the collection of tools and devices it contained. At the front door of his home, he mounted a statue of “The Hardware Man”, of which he was very proud to be one. For the last 10 years, Ernie’s health was failing and so his projects were less ambitious. He continued to be an excellent source of candy for visiting children and a playful Liberal for family and friends interested in politics. His good sense and sense of humor remained. He will be missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park, at 2:00 pm. on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2017. Please join with the family for fellowship and refreshment following the Mass in the church hall. Interment will take place in Galahad in the spring. Memorial donations in Ernie's memory may be made to the Galahad Cemetery Fund. To send condolences, please visit feeandsons.com.