Alfred Edward Schiman

Alfred Edward Schiman

March 15, 1924 - July 2, 2016

Age 92 years

Alfred was a Saskatchewan boy, through and through, living his entire life in and around Jansen, Esk, and Lanigan. He made his living as a farmer and a carpenter, but he was so much more than that… a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; a traveller; a historian; a storyteller; a community volunteer; and a joke-teller extraordinaire. In his later years, he even spent some time fishing, boating and tenting, to the amazement of his children. As one who worked outdoors, he didn't seem to enjoy outdoor recreation, but in retirement, he wanted to try everything, at least once.

Born in the family home on a farm near Esk, Alfred was the youngest of six children, with four sisters and one brother. He attended school for seven years, attaining Grade 8, getting to school by walking, riding horseback, or even crossing the fields on home-made skis. Despite his few years in school, he had an incredible recall of what he’d learned and was able to quote from poems memorized in school throughout his life. At only 14, he joined his father full-time to run the family farm. They worked the fields with horses, hauled water, and struggled with the common hazards of the 1930s farmer, including drought, rust, hail, frost, weeds, and debt.

By the 1940s, the farm began to do better and the family had enough money scraped together for a new home, which Alfred and his father built together, for a grand total cost of $1500. About this time, Alfred began courting Alma Brehm, whom he’d known since childhood, and they married in 1947. Later in life, they joked about how he would jump on his bicycle to visit her, such a contrast to the many forms of transportation he would later use in his travels…car, bus, train, plane and boat. 

Alfred and Alma ran the farm together with his parents, and after his parents retired, they helped to look after them as well. Three children came into their lives… Ernie in 1948, Elaine in 1959, and David in 1961. By the mid-50s, the family had moved into Jansen, and Alfred continued to farm and earn extra money through carpentry. In 1973, they moved once more to Lanigan.

Alfred was very involved in his community, volunteering with the Lutheran churches in both Jansen and Lanigan and was often on hand to help relatives and friends when needed. In his retirement, he worked on the Prairie Rose history books and the Lanigan Heritage Centre. At the same time, he tackled a family history of his own, writing a detailed and fascinating account of both the Schiman and Brehm families, a wonderful legacy for his children and grand-children.

He was a dedicated and loving father, and was there for all his children and grandchildren whenever they needed him, providing such invaluable services as financial advice, furniture moving, oil filter changes, carpentry, babysitting, countless gifts of cash and, of course, lots of jokes. He even built another house, this time in Roblin, with his son Ernie, for him and his family.  

When Alfred was ready for retirement, he had the opportunity to pursue a passion he had little time for before, travel. Together with Alma, his children and grandchildren, and his friends, he visited many parts of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, as well as Hawaii and Europe. Again, he meticulously documented his travel with notes, pictures and souvenirs. Next to travel, one of his favorite pastimes was talking about travel!

By the time Alma passed away in 2012, Alfred was beginning to become frail himself. He moved from the family home to an apartment in Lanigan in 2013, but sadly after only a few months, some unexpected surgery weakened him enough that he needed full-time care and he spent his final 2 1/2 years in Central Parkland Lodge. There, although many of his passions and interests could no longer be pursued, he still took every opportunity to tell a joke or to share a story and a smile.

Alfred was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Theo and sisters Hilda, Wanda, Martha and Gertie.

He leaves behind a family who will continue to love, miss and admire him all their days: son Ernie and wife Donna of Strathmore; granddaughter Tara, husband Kevin and their sons Kyler and Rylan of Chestermere; grandson Corey of Calgary; daughter Elaine and husband Greg of Whitehorse; grandson Ryan, Justine and their son Treyton of Whitehorse; grandson Bram and Leanne of Calgary; grandson Sean of Vancouver; son David and wife Janice of Martensville; granddaughter Nicole of Calgary; granddaughter Rebecca and husband Tino of Saskatoon, and children Avery, Lucy and Oliver; and, granddaughter Kim, husband Ryan and their daughter Emma; as well as many other nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 from LifePoint Church Lanigan. Officiated by,  Rev. Kevin Sawatsky and Rev. Randy Paupst.  Interment followed at Jansen Cemetery.  Memorial donations in Alfred’s memory may be made to LifePoint Church or Central Parkland Lodge Lanigan. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to MALINOSKI & DANYLUIK FUNERAL HOME Humboldt 306-682-1622.

 Service Information