Victor Propp was born on the family farm, south of Rhein, SK on May 22, 1924, the son of Phillip and Anna Margaret (nee Leis) Propp. He was baptized and given the gift of faith and salvation at Christ Lutheran Church in Rhein, SK. He spent his first eight years on the farm, attending Clyde School. In 1932, Victor's father passed away and the family was forced to move into town. At that time, it was thought that a woman could not run the farm alone, and the boys were too young to take over the farm. His mother bought the house that became Victor's lifelong residence until he was unable (due to health reasons) live there anymore. He attended school up to Grade 6, when he thought that he was old enough to go to work to help his mother by bringing in an income. Besides tending to the livestock at home in town, he helped farmers during the year and in winter would go to the bush and cut wood. It would not only keep the home fires burning but wood was given to the church as their family offering. Going to school or working for a living, a young person of the Lutheran faith had to attend Saturday School at the Church. Instruction was religion based and all in the German language. If a person was of confirmation age, they spent that summer taking confirmation classes. Victor was also confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church in Rhein. In 1942, at the age of 18 years, Victor was called into the army. It was not his wish to go, but of course he had no choice. He received a reprieve for a few months as farmers need workers to help bring in the harvest. He was excused for the summer and fall and went to Nipawin to help his brother-in-law, Jack Rommel, harvest his crops. He then entered basic training, moving to different camps in turn at places like Regina, Dundurn, Winnipeg, then finally to Devil's Battery on McNabb's Island near Halifax, NS. There he manned the big guns that protected the Canadian East Coast. He was being trained to be a sniper to be sent overseas but thankfully the war came to an end. He was eventually transferred back to the army base in Regina to wait until he was discharged in 1946. After the war, Victor and his brother, David bought a truck and started a hauling business. Their specialty was hauling grain to the elevators and cattle to the stockyards for the farmers around the area of Rhein. He said those were some of his happiest and most successful days. Being able to drive in the country side gave him the opportunity to observe nature, a passion that he enjoyed all of his adult years. In 1947, he and his mother visited some old acquaintances, the Weinbenders, at Burgis, SK. There he met Elsie Weinbender, the woman who would become his wife. He said that she was beautiful and decided to court her. They were married on April 10, 1948 and were blessed with two children, Judith and Timothy. Victor worked at his trucking business and did other jobs as well. He often would set up new machinery at the JI Case Shop in Rhein in the summer. In time he decided to take a course to become a mechanic. First, he had to upgrade and studied to receive his Grade 10 equivalency. Then he began his mechanic studies and in time, he became a Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic. He was then employed at Ball Cartage, JI Case and Michaelson's Farm Equipment. Victor then gained employment with the Department of Highways where he worked for 25 years. He made many good and long-lasting friendships that he would often reminisce about. Victor liked nothing better than to meet and talk with those friends when going to Yorkton for Saturday shopping. In 1989, at the age of 65 years, Victor retired from working in Yorkton. His retirement years were spent working in the garden, feeding and attracting birds and watching their antics from the kitchen window. He and Elsie loved to take drives in the country, often to see Elsie's brother, Alex on the farm. Sometimes in autumn they would take a trip west to Banff or to the interior of B.C. As the grandchildren came along, Victor enjoyed visiting with them, and enjoyed teasing them a lot. He also spent many days, especially during the busy seasons, helping his son, Tim on the
farm, fixing and operating machinery. As Victor got older, it was evident that dementia was occurring and soon took a toll on his health. In November of 2011, he entered the Care Home on a permanent basis. In October of 2012, he became ill, and after a stay in the hospital, passed away peacefully with his granddaughter, Leanne, by his side, in the Yorkton & District Nursing Home on November 8, 2012. Victor's Christian faith was always an important part of his life and he was very involved in his church. He was a Sunday School teacher for many years as well as the Sunday School Superintendent. He was a deacon and on the Church Council. As a member of the church choir, he was a regular in the back row, singing bass in harmony with the rest of the choir. Victor enjoyed music, and he liked nothing better that to harmonize and sing the well known hymns, whether in church or gathered around the piano at home when company came to visit. Victor was predeceased by his parents, Phillip and Anna; his brothers, Phillip (in infancy) and David; his sisters, Molly Rommel and Emma Propp; his grandson, Geoffrey (in infancy); his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jack Rommel, Rosemary Propp, Mary and Fred Lee, Martha and Jack Livingston, Alex and Pauline Weinbender, Betty and Oscar Fandrey, Irene and Harold Erhlich and nephews, Bob Lee, Ian Livingston, Douglas Propp and Doug Fandrey. He leaves to mourn his passing and celebrate his life, his loving wife, Elsie; his daughter, Judy (Wayne) Hertlein; his son, Tim (Marcia) Propp; his grandchildren, Jody Hertlein (Jil Tanguay), Lindsey (Jenn) Hertlein, Layne Hertlein, Leanne (Rod) Semeschuk, Cindy (Mike) Bloomquist, Jeffrey (Lindsey) Propp; his great-grandchildren, Spencer Lust, Alissa Tanguay, Johnna, Jenisey, Abigail and Erika Hertlein, Breanna Semeschuk, Aliyah and Suriyah Bloomquist, and Luca and Seth Propp; his brothers, Richard, Reinhold (Margaret), Helmut (Noreen) Propp as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Thanks to the Lord, for this loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. A Prayer Service was held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating. The organist, Jody Hertlein (Victor's Granddaughter), led the congregation in the singing of one hymn, "Faith of Our Fathers". The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from Christ Lutheran Church in Rhein, SK with Pastor Fred Schneider officiating, assisted by Ray Yost. Victor's daughter, Judy Hertlein, shared words of tribute and eulogy. The organist, Jody Hertlein, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Abide With Me", "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me", "Break Now the Bread of Life" and "The Old Rugged Cross". The soloist, Ray Yost, shared one selection, "Brightest and Best of the Stars". The Interment Service followed in the Christ Lutheran Church Parish Cemetery with Lindsey Hertlein, Layne Hertlein, Jeffrey Propp, Rod Semeschuk, Greg Propp and Clifford Erhlich serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
