Obituary - Elmer Hern

Elmer Halley Hern of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Lillian Hern of 62 years passed away on Tuesday September 8, 2015. Elmer also leaves to cherish his memory his children, Rita (Gary) Duren, Betty Lou (Lynn) Fowlie, Judy (Roger) Colbe, Lorrie Fowlie, Eileen (Randy) Rath and Lloyd Hern; 14 grandchildren & 15 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; his brother Richard (Darlene) Hern and sister Elaine (Lloyd) Ferguson. Elmer was predeceased by his parents Halley Edward Hern and Mary (Klippert ) Hern and his sister Jean (Hern) Bergstrom.
Elmer was born and raised in the Empress area and attended Chesterfield School. Elmer began working on the farm at a very young age and was extremely proud to purchase his own farmland and machinery in 1953.
He married the beautiful love of his life Lillian (Steinley) Hern on October 25^th 1952.  They were blessed with 6 children and were married for 62 years.  Elmer especially loved being able to hold and welcome all of the newest babies born into the family.
One of Elmer’s greatest farming joys was to go crop checking especially after a good rain. His children learned to be prepared to shovel or push out vehicles, as being stuck in the mud was a common occurrence. Combining was his favorite farming activity; all other farming operations were merely necessary steps leading up to the joy of harvesting.  Elmer loved the great outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing or trapping, he was game for it all! Through these outdoor adventures he acquired lifelong friends and had many good times.
He was often the first to welcome newcomers to the town of Empress and into his home for a visit. Elmer made friends easily, happily talking with people wherever he went and being a very kind and generous sprit he helped people as best as he could.
Elmer particularly enjoyed putting together curling teams to go to bonspiels. He enjoyed playing pool and took pleasure in teaching all newcomers to the game. He spent many happy hours playing in the company of family and friends.
In Elmer’s earlier years he could be found at almost any stampede or rodeo in the area and enjoyed being a contestant in events. When he no longer participated he loved to follow the rodeo events and score the contestants.  
He liked motorbikes, boating and snowmobiling and even rode his bicycle to get the mail in his later years.
Elmer was an avid Blue Jays Baseball fan and faithfully watched as many games as he could and made fans of those who watched with him.
Elmer had a love for small animals and had many pets in his lifetime; even in his early farm days he had a pet raccoon. Among his favorites was his pet Chihuahua Tim, and Lucy the Dachshund. 
Another great joy of Elmer’s life was the love of flying his plane across the golden prairies he called home. Elmer enjoyed flying for over 4 decades and was a member of the Flying Farmers Club. He started flying as a teenager and received his pilot’s license at the age of 18 in Calgary Alberta. He particularly enjoyed flying with skis in the wintertime. He was often called upon for numerous mercy missions in the area including transporting expectant mothers to the Empress Hospital and dropping care packages of food for families snow bound in the harsh prairie winters.  The RCMP also called Elmer for assistance on search missions and emergency evacuations.
When Elmer’s flying journey was over and done for the day he would always tip his wings to wave farewell to his friends and family. 
The Funeral Service will be held at Westminster United Church, 101 - 6 Street S.E., Medicine Hat on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Shane Andrus officiating.   Interment followed at the Empress Cemetery. 
If friends and family so desire, memorial tributes can be made in Elmer Hern’s name in the form of donations directly to HALO, 12, 49 Viscount Ave. S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5G4.