Browse the obituary of residing in the province of province1} for funeral details
Obituary
Please share a memory of Ephraim to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
View Tribute Book
Ephraim H. Evans May of Elkford, British Columbia (BC), Canada, passed away on August 22, 2023, at the Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta (AB), Canada.
Ephraim was born April 21, 1943, in Havre, Montana (MT), U.S.A., to Conrad and Frances (Evans) May of Inverness, MT and was the youngest of six children.
He attended grades 1-12 in Inverness and fondly reminisced about his school years and friends. His love for sports was born during these formative years, especially football and track. He was proud to say that he still held the record for the 100-yard dash. Following graduation in 1961, Ephraim began working in construction and farming for his brother.
He enlisted in the Army from 1963-1965 and was stationed in Germany to train in surface-to-air missiles. He didn’t spend much time at the missiles because he was quickly recruited to run for the Army track team in Kaiserslautern, which became Europe’s best military track team. In addition, he filled his time with carpentry around the base and writing letters to Jean Graff, whom he had started to date just before enlistment. Their love grew through those regular long-distance communications.
In April 1965, his future father-in-law, Eldon Graff, took Ephraim to Canada, where land was available and helped purchase his first farm in Etzikom, AB. Ephraim wed his long-time pen pal and love, Jean Graff on October 2, 1965, at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester, MT. The newlyweds moved to his newly acquired farm, where they lived for sixteen years and were blessed with five of their six children. Despite growing their farm and becoming permanent residents, they decided to sell to Hutterites in the spring of 1981, which became the Mayfield Colony.
The next stop of the adventure was Kalispell, MT, where Ephraim purchased several property investments throughout Montana. While in Kalispell, they were blessed with their sixth child in 1983. By 1986, Ephraim was feeling the itch to return to farming. This time, he purchased land in Valleyview, AB. In 1989, he moved all the family except his oldest up North and continued to buy more land “to keep his boys busy!”.
By 2000, Ephraim and Jean had sold everything and retired. They split their time between Cowley, AB, and Elkford, BC, where he spent much of his time exploring all the fishing holes, backroads, quad trails and mountain tops. In 2010, Arizona, U.S.A. became an attractive alternative to winters in Canada, and the couple continued their adventures in the desert. They split their time between Canada and the United States until his death.
Ephraim was a very active man, and if he wasn’t working in the field, he was on a men’s baseball, basketball, curling, or bowling team and, later in life, archery. His true loves were hunting and fishing—especially pike with a “5 of diamonds” lure. He also loved the speed of cars, motorbikes, snowmobiles, and quads. He challenged many to drag races or climb to the top of the mountain. He was competitive and was always up for the challenge—if he knew he would win. “Work hard, play hard” was his life motto.
He will be remembered for his exhilarating rides chasing coyotes across the prairies, his artful eye for landscape design or decorating his vehicles, and his competitive nature in anything! He loved the thrill of buying and could list off the cars, boats and toys he had owned throughout the years with pride. In his later years, he enjoyed garage sales and the quest for a good deal.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Jean (Graff) May; children, Janette May of Bozeman, MT; Rodney (Stephanie) May of Kalispell, MT; Craig (Kristi) May of Bozeman, MT; Yvonne (Jake Christiansen) May of Whitefish, MT; and Tyson May of Edmonton, AB and grandchildren, Cody May, Katlyn May, Alexa May, Emily May, Vale (Hailey) May, Konnor May, Quinton May, McKinlee May, Braiden May, Kaden May; His brother, Conrad May and sister-in-law Esther May of Chester, MT, sister-in-law Rita May of Helena, MT, and many nieces and nephews; His in-laws Joanne (Gary) Standiford of Chester, MT, Marilyn Collins of Bozeman, MT, Patti (Rodney) Shepherd of Arlington, TX, Mary (Tom) Gibbons of Big Sandy, MT, Betty (Butch Lansing) Mace of Kalispell, MT, Gerry (Cindy) Graff of Bozeman, MT, Don (Shelly) Graff of Belgrade, MT, Tom (Pam) Graff of Chester, MT, Teresa (David) Wehr of Billings, MT, Janice (Jeff) Fauque of Great Falls, MT, and many nieces and nephews.
Ephraim is predeceased by his parents Conrad and Frances May, brother David May, sister FloraAnn and brother-in-law Frank Aevermann, brother Leo May, sister Annette and brother-in-law Larry Riley, parents-in-law Eldon and Margaret Graff, brother-in-law Audie Collins; and son Daniel May.
Cremation was done by Snodgrass Funeral Home of Pincher Creek, AB. Prayer vigil and refreshments will be held at 7:00 pm on September 22, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, MT. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on September 23, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Inurnment and lunch following. He will be laid to rest beside his son Daniel at the Joplin, MT cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give in honour to your favourite charity.
To send flowers to the family of Ephraim, please
visit our floral store.
Read more
April 21 1943
August 22 2023
Death notice for the town of: High-River, Province: Alberta
death notice Ephraim HEvans May April 21 1943
August 22 2023
obituaries notice Ephraim HEvans May April 21 1943
August 22 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ephraim HEvans May April 21 1943
August 22 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
