TORWALT: Werner Eric
May 14, 1927 - June 10, 2014
Mr. Werner Eric Torwalt of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Jansen, SK), passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt. He was 87 years of age. Werner was born on May 14, 1927, to Amalia and Rudolf Torwalt at home on their farm in the LeRoy district. He was the middle child; Herman was the oldest and Margaret the youngest. Werner was baptized in Zion Lutheran Church in Jansen, SK, by Rev. Fricke and confirmed by Rev. However, also at Zion in 1941. Werner received his schooling in the rural area of Prairie Rose and Auderville in the Jansen, SK area. In 1948 Werner started farming with his parents north of Jansen. In 1950 he was united in marriage to Ruth Block also from the immediate area and they were blessed with one daughter, Ellen. While still farming in 1955, Werner went into business at Jansen as a Gulf bulk fuel dealer. In 1973, due to a shortage of skilled farm labour, he sold most of his farm land and kept the fuel business until 1990 (35 years initially as Gulf and then as Petro Canada) and then retired by moving to Humboldt SK. While living in Jansen from 1955 to 1990, Werner was very active in local and community affairs, mainly serving on the Village Council for 13 years (with some of that time as mayor), and the Credit Union Board for 12 years. In addition, Werner was involved in practically every other board in the small community, including overseeing the new curling rink, new hockey arena, new Credit Union building, the new Lutheran Church, as well as the water, sewer and natural gas for the Village. Never a dull year! Werner was passionate about keeping up-to-date with local, national and international news; he subscribed to several newspapers, which he read thoroughly with great interest. His favorite hobbies, were fishing at Greenwater Lake and many other lakes in the area, golfing, curling, and watching hockey and football; he was a Saskatchewan Roughrider season ticket holder for 33 years. Most of all, Werner enjoyed serving the public and the community to the best of his ability. He loved watching his grandchildren's activities including dance, volleyball, hockey, baseball, and track and field. Even though Ruth was a fabulous cook, Werner enjoyed taking his family out for meals. He also loved playing cards, especially cribbage and smear, with his family and many friends. Left to cherish his gentle, kind and thoughtful memories are his daughter and her family, Ellen (Russell) Kachur of Humboldt and children, Karlie (Blair) Bergen and their daughter Piper of Saskatoon, SK, and Klay Kachur (special friend Brittany Saunders) of Saskatoon; one sister, Margaret Braitenbach of Saskatoon; sisters-in-law: Lydia Torwalt of Lanigan, Dorothy Kaye of Calgary, AB; and Joan Block of Kensington, PEI; brothers-in-law: Dr. Erwin Block of Vernon, BC, and William (Eileen) Block of Saskatoon; and by many nieces, nephews and special friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Ruth (nee Block) Torwalt (2010); father, Rudolf Torwalt (1992); mother, Amalia (nee Tepper) Torwalt (1990); brother, Herman Torwalt (1996); father-in-law, Samuel O. Block (2006); mother-in-law, Wilhelmina "Minnie" (nee Winslow) Block (1977); and by brothers-in-law: Arthur Braitenbach (2005), Keith Kaye (1993), and Arthur Block (1993). The Funeral Service was held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Humboldt, on Friday, June 20, 2014, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Robert Grout. Music ministry was provided by organist Elaine Siegel. The urnbearers were Karlie Bergen and Klay Kachur. The eulogy was delivered by Dave Renwick, and the memorial attendants were Leon and Karen Fleischhacker. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Werner's life". Interment will take place at Jansen Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, or the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation General Equipment Fund or Spiritual Care Endowment Fund. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
