Eli Waldner

Eli Waldner

March 13, 1928 – September 25, 2021

Eli Waldner passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 25, 2021 at his home in Luther Heights at the age of 93.

Eli was born on March 13, 1928 on the family homestead near Langham, SK.  He was the 7^th of ten children born to Anna and David Waldner.  He attended the country school off Neuhoffneg with his siblings and worked on the farm. As a young man he served in the army reserve and trained at Dundurn Army Camp.  During several winters he would find work in Toronto and live with his sister, Kay. It is in Toronto, in 1954, where he attended a Billy Graham Crusade and made a decision to follow Jesus.  That fall, back in Saskatchewan, he was working on a threshing crew and met his wife-to-be, Eileen Doerksen.  They were married on June 1, 1956 in the Langham church and then resided in Saskatoon.  They raised 3 children Debra, Dwight and Blair in the Mount Royal area of Saskatoon.

Dad was always a great provider and a hard worker.  He began working at Intercontinental Packers in 1957 where he was employed for just over 33 years.  He recalls meeting Fred Mitchell and Fred Mendel who told him that he was one of their best workers.  Dad took his job seriously and put in many overtime hours.

Mom and Dad began attending Westgate Alliance Church in 1964 when the new small church on Rusholme Road opened.  Along with Chris and Ray Harder they were the first new members of the new church.  They remained members and supporters of that church to this day.

Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling to many destinations in Canada and the US after Dad retired.  He especially loved the Alaska tour and his granddaughter’s wedding in Hawaii. Dad enjoyed playing tile rummy, dominoes and crokinole regularly in the evenings with family and friends.

When Mom and Dad sold the family home and moved to Luther Heights Retirement Home, Dad go a new lease on life.  He loved his new home which he referred to as his “Mansion on the Hilltop”.  He loved making new friends and embraced everything the new home had to offer.  He enjoyed his morning coffee with others in the foyer and playing pool whenever it could be arranged. He was proud to be “pretty good”.

Dad was strong and agile.  He kept fit by taking long walks several times a day as well as several naps. His eyesight, however, had been compromised his whole life.  As a young child, he started wearing thick glasses.  As an adult, he underwent several surgeries for detached retina and had cornea transplants as well.  After the transplants, Dad’s vision was restored so that he could see better than ever.  Such a delightful gift! He was always so grateful that his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren had healthy eyes and vision. Just before his 90^th Birthday, Dad’s eyes began to fail and his life really changed.  He always remained hopeful that they would get better, and life would get back to the way it had been.  

As Dad’s health began to deteriorate in March from kidney failure, he remained positive, grateful and kind… a wonderful patient! He loved his family and friends, and his “sweetheart” wife, Eileen of 65 years.  He was always quick to thank everyone around him who greeted him and gave him care.

Eli leaves behind his wife, Eileen, his daughter Debra Shiels (Dwight), son Dwight Waldner (Gwen) of Victoria, BC, and son, Blair Waldner (Wanda), his five grandchildren, Minday Bassett (Stew), Angie Watts (Lee), Michelle Henry (Jesse), Justin Waldner and Julia Waldner, and 4 great-grandchildren Findley Bassett, Lilly Bassett, David Henry and Kaelyn Henry.  Also, his special sister and friend, Edna Leedahl and brother, Murray Waldner and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers Sam and Vernon and his sisters, Sadie Wallman, Mary Mallett, Christine Parroff, Kay Rylko, and Ann Bodasheffsky and their spouses and sister-in-law and friend Lynn Waldner.

Our family would like to thank the Luther Heights staff and residents for their support and kindness to Dad and Mom especially over the last 6 months and for their good wishes and prayers.

A huge special thanks to the Palliative Home Care Team that supported us and gave Dad their compassion, love and tender care as he needed during his illness.  We are so grateful!

Memorial donations can be made to CNIB, 1149 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S3 or to Place of Rescue Cambodia, 2121 Clearbrook Road, Suite 200, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4H6.

Dad’s request was to have a small, private memorial.

Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.