Emil Meisner

Emil (Slim) Meisner        
May 16, 1925 - September 22, 2022

The peaceful passing of Mr. Emil Meisner, 97 years of Saskatoon, and formerly of Lanigan, occurred on September 22, 2022 at Oliver Lodge, Saskatoon.

Emil will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his five children and their families: Rae (Bernie) Broda, Shelagh Meisner, Janet (David) Haryett, Joan Ooms (Dwayne Kupchanko) and Bruce Meisner (Mariette McDermid). Emil had 5 children, 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. He is survived by brothers: Bill Meisner and Bob (Esther) Meisner and sisters: Esther (Corney) Harms and Elsie (Abe) Suderman. Emil was predeceased by his wife Gwen Meisner, his parents Jacob and Lydia Meisner and sister Frieda Tebb.

Emil was born to Jacob and Lydia (nee Jaeger) Meisner in Lockwood and was the oldest of 6 children. In his early teenage years, Emil worked on the Experimental Farm near Lockwood, then at the Creamery in Biggar.  At the age of 19, he joined the CPR and started working as a conductor on passenger trains running between Brandon and Regina.

It was on one of the trips from Neudorf to Regina that he met Gwen Ford, who would become his soulmate. Gwen was travelling back to her residence at the Regina General Hospital after being home for Christmas. Slim invited Gwen to the Trainman’s Ball for the New Year’s Celebration, and that date sealed their fate! They were together ever since and were happily married for 63 years. They had lived in Regina, Brandon, and Neudorf, then built their home in Strasbourg. Emil enjoyed working with his hands and doing carpentry; and while in Strasbourg he taught carpentry classes to a youth group. Later on, Emil and Gwen moved to Lanigan, where they made many friends and enjoyed spending their time at dances. In April of 2013, they moved to Saskatoon and enjoyed their new life and home at Preston Park Residence. Gwen passed in December 2016. In March of 2022, Dad moved into Oliver Lodge.             

Slim was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge (awarded the Royal Arch Degree), Shriners, and Eastern Star. After retirement, he and Gwen enjoyed spending their winters away from the cold and the snow. Together they spent 16 years wintering in Harlingen, Texas, then six years in Osoyoos BC. During the summers, camping with the growing family was an annual event which he thoroughly enjoyed. He felt very blessed to have been able to go fishing in the lakes and the oceans.

A Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at McClure United Church (4025 Taylor St. E, Saskatoon), officiated by Rev. Debra Berg. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Emil’s memory may be directed to Shriner’s Hospital for Children or St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation: Glengarda Hospice.