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Klaus Kelm Obituary
It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of our husband, brother, dad, and papa, Klaus Horst Kelm, 80, on September 13, 2024, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Born July 27, 1944 he wore many hats – Story Teller, Teacher, Principal, Carpenter, Master Angler, Hunter, Umpire, Pitcher, Skip, Community Club President, Volunteer Firefighter, Church Councillor, Boy Scout Leader, Coach, Tour Guide Extraordinaire. Forced from Bessarabia near the end of WWII, the family spent a brief time in Poland before being transported by train to Siberia. He spent the first four years of his life surviving disease and malnutrition while imprisoned in a Siberian work camp. Sponsored by family already in Canada, most of who remained were allowed to board the Beaverbrae and arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS, March 10, 1949. The family moved to Grandview, MB, where they farmed and spent his formative years. After being left off a form as a child, he proudly became a Canadian citizen in his 60s.
He met his wife Marion attending a wedding in the barn on her family farm, later marrying there themselves on September 3, 1966. Expecting their first daughter Klaus got a teaching contract in Norway House in 1967. The pair had a son in 1969 then moved to Nelson House, Winnipeg, and Lake St Martin, finally settling across the road from the Krentz family farm in Moosehorn where they had their second daughter in 1978, their hometown until moving to Deloraine in 2022.
Klaus taught a total of 40 years, contracts that also saw him in Gilbert Plains, Eddystone, Fisher Branch, Peguis, and Split Lake until retiring as Principal in Easterville in 2008. He spent most of his teaching career at Alf Cuthbert school where he made lifelong friends, playing an important role in the lives of many students and the community. He dedicated his life to helping anyone who needed it, and likely touched the lives of everyone in Moosehorn at some point.
His passion was building and he would salvage most of his materials, always able to list their market price. His masterpiece was the family cabin in Waterhen, many summers were lovingly dedicated to that fishing shack which took on a life of its own. His cabin has welcomed many a friend and family member who helped in its progress leaving a beautiful legacy and will be his final resting place. His greatest joys were hosting guests, cooking his well planned menus in his outdoor kitchen, fishing on the river and playing a heated game of cards, often accompanied with a little bit of hootch.
Klaus was predeceased by both parents, Israel and Elisabeth, sister Helga, and brother Bruno. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Marion, son Conrad (Dana), daughters Candace (Shane) and Tannis, grandsons Dexter, Jack, Myles, Hayden, Theo and granddaughter Hilary, sister Walli, as well as treasured nieces, nephews and countless close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held summer 2025 at the community hall in Moosehorn, MB. We would love for you to contribute stories to share which can be submitted online at www.wheatlandfs.com or mail Candace Kelm Box 405, Erin, ON, N0B 1T0
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Red Cross which played a vital role in reuniting the family after the war.
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July 27 1944 September 13 2024 80 Years Old
Death notice for the town of: Killarney, Province: Manitoba
death notice Klaus Horst Kelm July 27 1944 September 13 2024 80 Years Old
obituaries notice Klaus Horst Kelm July 27 1944 September 13 2024 80 Years Old
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Klaus Horst Kelm July 27 1944 September 13 2024 80 Years Old and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
