Lohmann – Elmer William Lohmann of Brooks, Alberta, beloved husband of Maureen Lohmann, passed away on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, one week short of his 89th birthday. He spent his last day surrounded by his wife of nearly 65 years and all his children. Raised on a farm near Humboldt, Saskatchewan, a teenaged Elmer left to build bridges in Field, British Columbia, then helped build the bridge on Highway 36 over the Old Man River, just south of Vauxhall, Alberta. The bridge is known in the family as “Grandad’s Bridge”, complete with a sign saying so, just before you cross the bridge heading south. While living in Taber, Alberta, he met Maureen, his lifelong partner and they exchanged marriage vows on November 29th, 1958. The following year, Elmer and Maureen moved to Exshaw, Alberta, where Elmer worked at the Canada Cement plant. The young couple’s first home there was a converted garage, moving to bigger and better homes as the family grew. During winter layoffs from the plant, Elmer worked for a local trucking company, and in 1969, he partnered with the owner to form G & E Construction Ltd. They hauled rock from a local quarry to the lime plant and had as many as nine dump trucks running. A mechanical whiz, Elmer kept his equipment in top shape, making sure the trucks ran on schedule. He was so good that if a truck had a flat tire enroute, he could execute a Nascar-like pit stop and have the truck on its way without losing its place in line. Eventually, Elmer and Maureen bought out the partner and formed Westwind Trucking Ltd. He continued the rock haul until moving to Lloydminster, Alberta to haul oil and cattle. In 1980, they moved back to southern Alberta, purchased the Brooks Bottle Depot, and contracted to haul empty containers from their depot, and others, to Calgary. On return trips he hauled beer from the ALCB to Brooks and area. During a brewery worker strike, he began hauling for oilfield companies. Fourteen years later, he sold the bottle depot but retained the trucking portion and continued working in the oilfield. Elmer retired from driving truck at the age of 77, leaving behind a reputation as a driver who could find any location. He was recognized as a family man, a patient person whose integrity was without question. He was highly regarded for his pride in his work and his attention to detail. Despite his smile and jokes, he could be tough but was punctual and kept his promises. Elmer wanted to be the best in his field and almost relished a tight spot where it was difficult to get his rig in and out. To his children and grandchildren, Elmer was an amazing man. He was the best Dad, Grandad, fixer of anything (earning him the title of MacGyver), storyteller, legendary truckdriver, caregiver, jokester, teacher, and so much more. Elmer is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Anna and sisters, Henrica, Frances, and Veranna He will forever be missed by his wife, Maureen, his children; Patti, Donna (Grant), Laurie (Ron), Louise, Adele (Russ), Barry (Marilyn), Rod (Kim), and Kerri (Darren); grandchildren, Theresa, Katie (Brent), Michael, Derek, Kelsie (Chris), Lindsay, Carrie (Curtis), Brian (Larissa), Tawnya (Jen), Adrienne (Justin), Leah, Bailey, Nicolas, Justine, Erica, Laurel, Brady, Reid; great grandchildren, Zach, Makayla, Xander, Hunter, Henry, Isabella, Jordyn, Calleigh, Cambrey, Charlotte, and Alexander, sister Ermalinda and brother Benedict. Elmer’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Brooks Health Centre and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their kindness and care. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21st from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Roque Perreira Celebrant. In memory of Elmer, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Box 578, Brooks, Alberta, T1R 1B5.
Cremation entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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