Emile Bruno Carl Vanaelst
September 17th, 2020
Emile Bruno Carl Vanaelst passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at the age of 92 years. He was attended by family and staff of Selo Gardens Personal Care Home in Regina, Saskatchewan. Emile was born on the family farm north of Montmartre, Saskatchewan in 1928. Emile was the only son of Oscar and Maria Vanaelst. He had four sisters Mary Couckuyt, Margaret Lachambre, Godelieve Lachambre and Madeline Gerein. After completing high school, Emile went to Teachers College in Moose Jaw at the age of 17. After completing a six-week course, he qualified as a teacher. He taught at “Round Grove” south of Weyburn. In 1949 his parents sold the family farm and purchased the Red and White Store in Candiac, Saskatchewan. In 1951 Emile married Theresa Pielak, daughter of Joseph and Stella and they moved to Candiac to manage the store. Emile and Theresa raised three children Milo, Dwayne and Shirley. Emile tried his hand at another Red and White Store in Balcarres and then worked as a photographer with Mid West Studios and Simpson Sears in Regina. Sears moved the family to Humboldt where Emile was the store manager for more than eight years. Emile moved on to become the store manager of Sears in North Battleford, a position he held until he retired. Emile and Theresa divorced, and Emile moved to Red Deer, Alberta before resettling in Regina. Theresa retired in North Battleford where she currently lives. Emile was very competitive and loved sports. He played baseball in his younger years, later he curled and golfed until he no longer could. He remained a life-long spectator of those and most other sports. In his final years he started shooting pool, and at age 91 he won a pool tournament in Regina. Emile was predeceased by his parents, his sisters, their spouses and recently his son Dwayne. Emile is survived by his eldest son Milo and his wife Laverne in Vancouver, B.C. and their two daughters Trina and Charis and their families; his daughter Shirley and her husband Guy of Calgary, Alberta and their daughter Corene, and Dwyane’s partner Theresa and his son William. Emile had a good sense of humour, knew the value of a dollar, and was well thought of and loved by his family and friends. Special thanks to the staff of the Selo Gardens Personal Care Home and to his niece, Coleta Hess, and all of the other nieces and nephews for the care and kindness given to Emile in his final years. He will forever remain in our hearts. Private family interment in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetery, Montmartre, Saskatchewan.
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of
dark, cold
caves.
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
Messages:
Dear Shirley & Family .. It was a pleasure to meet your father a few times. I enjoyed the time I spent with him playing cards. He reminded me of my dad. Saying goodbye is never easy & my heart goes out to all of you. You can never replace your parents. Remember all the good times and the smiles and he will always be with you in your heart. With sincere sympathy, Carolyn
Emile touched so many of us, his compassion for life and wanting to live it to its fullest. Always stopping to say hi as he walked by my office. My Condolences to the family at this difficult time, not only from myself but from all his Selo family, residents and staff, we will miss you
Emile was a gentle soul who will be dearly missed. Our condolences to the family he left behind.
Grandpa Emile will be missed. He was a beautiful soul with a dry sense of humour. I remember as a child, I never understood his humour. As I grew, his humorous nature was understood and in fact he was very witty. He taught me many valuable lessons: to slow down, to appreciate life, to stop stressing and to embrace your mistakes. I am so lucky that at the age of 41, I still had a grandfather--what a blessing. He will be missed, but he is definitely in my heart and I will carry him with me. There is one more star in the sky tonight.
With fond memories of a dear patient who became a trusted friend. It has been my honour and privilege to provide what care I could to dear Emile over the past 15 or so years. Emile always asked how I was before anything else. As I do, he loved golf, but it was also about life that we spoke, for which I am truly appreciative. Thinking of you all, but especially Emile, at this time.
Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you at this time. May all your memories carry you through this sad time.
To the family, sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and strength during this time....may your memories of Uncle Emile bring you comfort..
My sincere sympathy to the Vanaelst family . We will all miss Emile -- a true Gentleman. With special memories of a great friendship . Deenie Coffey .
We love you Dad, you will forever remain in our hearts and never be forgotten. Rest in peace. All our love Shirley and Guy
My condolences. Uncle Emile was a great guy and good friend, I will always remember the great times we had going out for lunch when he was in Red Deer and on the farm when I was a kid.