Date of Birth: March 30, 1929
Date of Death: July 4, 2016
WALDEN – Elmer Walden of Saskatoon, Sask., and formerly of Melville, Sask., passed away Monday, July 4, 2016 at the age of 87 years.
Elmer Andrew was born March 30, 1929 in St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville, Sask., to Levi and Nellie Walden. He was the third eldest of five children: Marian, Harvey, Laureen and Levi (Lee).
Elmer spent most of his life in Melville and spoke fondly of the childhood summers spent at the Frank farm and his school years at Central School.
After graduating high school, Elmer tried his hand at numerous occupations, finally settling in on the railroad on July 24, 1950. In his 38-year tenure with Canadian National Railway, he worked his way up from Brakeman to Conductor. After retiring on Dec. 31, 1987, he spent most of his time tending to his yard, operating a bird hotel in its trees and travelling across the western United States and Canada with his wife, Midge.
Elmer loved being a grandfather, especially when it involved taking the kids on an adventure to his favourite place – the local Dairy Queen.
Elmer was a passionate hockey fan who avidly followed the Melville Millionaires and whether it was watching the games in person or listening to them on the radio, he would rarely miss a game. His love for the Millionaires extended past the ice rink to the baseball diamond, and he had been known to accidentally take in home games that extended to 17+ innings.
When Elmer wasn’t “bleeding blue”, he was a proud Roughriders’ fan (minus Durant). Outside of sports, Elmer had a passion for airplanes that developed in his younger years after he became a pilot. He loved war history, geography, and for those who knew him well, sweets.
Elmer was predeceased by his son, Scott Walden; his parents, Levi and Nellie Walden; sisters, Marian (George) Meko and Laureen (Kenneth) Carraway; and brothers, Harvey and Levi (Jackie) Walden.
He leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Mildred (Midge) Walden; his sons, Glenn (Shelley) Walden and Grant Walden; grandchildren, Kyle Walden, Stephanie Walden, and Sarah Kendry; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Elmer’s funeral service was held Monday, July 11, 2016 at Matthews Funeral Home with the Rev. Fr. Francis Hengen presiding. Organist and vocalist, Len Gadica, led in the hymns, “Be Not Afraid,” “On Eagles Wings” and “How Great Thou Art.” The eulogy was presented by Dennis Alberts and the urn bearer was Elmer’s grandson, Kyle Walden. All of Elmer’s family, friends and co-workers were considered honorary pallbearers.
Interment took place in St. Henry’s Parish Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville
