Ernest Klatt Obituary
With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Ernest Klatt (Lanigan, Saskatchewan), who passed away on June 19, 2018 at the age of 93. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Ernest Klatt to pay them a last tribute.
He spent the winter of 1944-45 clearing brush on 100 acres of this 1/2 section, and spent the spring and summer of 1945 picking rocks and breaking land with a 22" plow. His first crop was seeded in the spring of 1946, and by that time he had begun custom brush-cutting for other farmers in the area. In addition, he also started a business doing track and roller service and repairs on crawler tractors with his brothers John and Wilbur. Ernie married his lifelong sweetheart, Audrey Paproski, on January 3, 1955. They established their home three miles east of Sinnett on the same 1/4 of land that the former Brindle School was situated on. Ernie kept the grove of trees intact that had surrounded the school to retain the landmark, which is still there today. Ernie and Audrey were blessed with four children, Claudette, Gary, Donna and Dean, along with sons-and-daughters-in-law, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Although he had many ventures and interests, farming was Ernie's passion. He enjoyed spending time in "the shop" and enjoyed the challenge of fixing, repairing and creating. He was an accomplished welder, businessman, machinist and engineer... all with a Grade 8 education. Ernie acquired his private pilot's license in 1958. Along with his pilot-friend Henry Harms, Ernie took Audrey and flew to Aklavik, NWT, on June 19th, 1968, to visit Audrey's sister who was a teacher there. They were inside the Arctic Circle for the longest day of the year. In 1967 - 68, Ernie built a grain elevator on the farm. It still serves as a grain storage facility, and is a noted landmark in the countryside. Ernie and Audrey moved their family to Sorrento, BC, in 1969, where Ernie was the co-owner of a residential land development called Cedar Heights on Shushwap Lake. This venture added "logger", "road builder" and "land developer" to his list of accomplishments. When the development was complete, the family moved back to the farm. In addition to all the projects that kept Ernie busy within the shop and on the farm, he also enjoyed playing on the Sinnett hockey team, golfing, collecting antique wrenches, stonework using field stone, and restoring his 1929 Nash. Ernie was a member of the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers, and the Scattered Spokes Antique Car Club, and attended church at Zion Lutheran in Esk, Zion Lutheran in LeRoy/Jansen, and at Trinity Lutheran in Lanigan. Ernie's love of family history and travel led them to the Ukraine in May of 1993. Their tour included a river cruise, and a tour of the area formerly known as Volhynia, which was the home of Ernie's father and grandparents who had operated a windmill for grinding grain before immigrating to Canada. Ernie walked across the bridge that his own father had crossed each day on his way to school - an emotional event for Ernie. Ernie and Audrey enjoyed spending winters in Phoenix for over 25 years. He continued to farm along with his sons, Gary and Dean, until 2011, when the decision was made to sell the farm and enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Ernie and Audrey moved into Lanigan in 2012. Exactly 50 years to the day after his flight to Aklavic, Ernie's final flight took him to meet our Lord on June 19, 2018. Ernest will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Audrey (nee Paproski) Klatt; children, Claudette (Larry) Rode; Gary (Penny) Klatt; Donna (Bruce) Dunham; and Dean (Cheryl) Klatt; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Leanne Schenn and children Rayden, Katanna and Drake; John (Euvgenia) Rode and children Tim and Jacob; Ashley (Dakota) Klatt and Jesse Klatt; Michael, Kelsey, Stacie and Trevor Dunham; Michelle (Nick) Klatt and baby Jude, Ryan (Nancy) Klatt and Carlie Klatt; sister, Grace Klatt; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ernest was predeceased by his parents, Reinhard and Anne (nee Teske) Klatt; brothers: Werner (Esther) Klatt, John Klatt and Wilbur Klatt; sister, Lillian (Edwin) Greve; and niece Dianne Grosso. The Funeral Service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Lanigan, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor George Hind. Others taking part were: Sharon Moir, organist; David Klatt, scripture reader; Rev. Jack Robson, eulogist; Michael Dunham representing Ernie's grandchildren, memories and reflections; Harvey Klatt, gospel reading; Natalie Lohman, memorial table attendant. Honorary pallbearers were John Rode, Michael Dunham, Trevor Dunham, Jesse Klatt and Ryan Klatt. Interment preceded the service at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Esk. Memorial donations may be directed to the Esk Lutheran Cemetery Fund or Stars Air Ambulance Hangar 21, 2475 Airport Road Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7L 1M4. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK. (306-682-4114) http://www.schuler-lefebvrefuneralchapel.com.
