Elmer Franklin Kinsman

September 13, 1918 – December 17, 2006

Peacefully, on Sunday December 17, 2006 at Pembina Manitou Health Centre, with his family by his side. Elmer Franklin Kinsman went to his eternal rest.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Edna (nee Cowan). His two daughters Judi (Steven) Hodgson and Jacqui (Darryl) Tickner. Three grandchildren, Ryan (Sandi) Hodgson, Joey (Kate) Tickner and Trinda Tickner. Five great grandchildren, Brian and Ashley Hodgson, Gabrielle, Alyssa and Will Tickner.

Elmer was born and raised in the Windygates – Darlingford area. He was the eldest of six children born to Anna (nee Kroetsch) and William (Jim) Kinsman. He attended school at Lorne and Calf Mountain. On Christmas Eve December 24, 1941 he married Edna Cowan in the United Church Manse at Snowflake Manitoba. Soon After their marriage Elmer shipped out and was deployed to England and later Italy during World War 2. He was very proud to have served his country and to be a member of The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

He returned from the war in 1945 and he and Edna settled on their farm in Windygates until 1963 when they move to Darlingford. Elmer was a gifted mechanic and was employed by Peter Wolfe in Morden and later by W.E. Veals in Darlingford. Later he purchased his own garage in Darlingford (Down Town Motors) and was there until his retirement in 1995. In 1963 the family moved from Windygates to their house on Pembina St. in Darlingford. During this time he spent many Sundays travelling around the area searching for old car parts and successfully built his 1927 Ford Model T coupe from the parts and pieces he found in various bushes and junkyards. He and Mom traveled many miles in that car, which was his pride and joy. They attended many parades and show and shines with it and it was not unusual to see them turn up and the grandchildren’s ball games and other summer activities. He was a very fun grandpa and loved his grandchildren very much. His great enthusiasm for motor vehicles rubbed off on his grandsons and he was proud that both of them are also mechanics. He spent many hours taking them with him on his search for car parts and in winter, snowmobiling with them or watching them ski, play hockey or curl. His grandchildren as well as other family and friends have spent many happy hours listening to war stories, being amused by his little songs or hearing funny (usually colorful) jokes. Camping was another of his favorite things and there was the yearly trip to Flin Flon, which he really loved.

Elmer was a lifelong member of the Royal Canadian Legion Morden Branch # 11 and spent many good times there with his comrades and friends.

In 1998 he and Edna moved to Legion House 2 in Morden and lived there until Edna moved to Tabor home. Elmer then moved to Tabor Apartments so he could be close to her, In June 2006 his failing health made it necessary for him also to enter personal care in Pembina Manitou Health Centre and Edna joined him there in September. He felt complete once again because he and Edna were together again. They were seven days short of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary, but he was very pleased when they started receiving messages of congratulations from the dignitaries, including the Queen.

He will be missed by his family including his new family the staff at Pembina Manitou Health Centre. His family would like to thank the Pembina Manitou Health Centre staff for making Dad’s stay happy and comfortable. We all really appreciate the care, support and dignity that he received from each and everyone of you. He was so happy when Mom was able to join him there in that wonderful place, where he new that they would both be cared for with compassion, and we know that he left knowing that Mom would be looked after the way he would have wanted.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. from Zion-Calvin United Church in Darlingford with Jeannette Brigit officiating.  Interment will take place in the Darlingford Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations in His memory can be made to The Darlingford Memorial Park or Zion Calvin United Church in Darlingford.

Doyle’s Funeral Chapel of Morden in care of arrangements. (www.doyleschapels.com)