Edmund Graumann

EDMUND GRAUMANN was born in 1923 in a log cabin near Moosehorn, Manitoba, the second of seven children, to Albert and Theresa Grauman (nee Kort.)  After a few years the family moved to a farm southwest of Winnipeg, and then to another farm near the town of Sperling.  There he received most of his education and his first introduction to Sunday school and church.  In 1941 the family moved to Balmoral, Manitoba.  They attended McDermot Avenue Baptist Church in Winnipeg where, in 1945, Edmund accepted Jesus as his Saviour, was baptized, and joined the church.  The summers were spent working on the family farm, and in fall and early winter he would often go to Winnipeg to work.  He attended a Bible school  - Christian Training Institute (CTI) -  for one season, from October 1948 to April 1949.  It was while he was at CTI that he decided to leave the farm to further his education.  This was difficult as he first had to earn his high school equivalency before attending university.  He earned three bachelor degrees from the University of Manitoba: Arts, Pedagogy and Education.  He began teaching in Winnipeg in September 1956.  Four years later, he moved to Vancouver and began teaching for the District of North Vancouver until his retirement in June of 1985.  He taught social studies grades eight to ten, was a sponsor for the chess club and the basketball team.

On July 29, 1961 Ed married Elsie Stober at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where they were both members. They purchased their first home in the spring of 1963, in a new subdivision in Vancouver.  Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with their first child, Robert Wesley,
and twenty months later their daughter, Wendy Elizabeth.

In the fall of 1988, the family joined Willingdon MB Church.  Dad immediately became involved and over the years he served as an elder, a Discovery Class leader, and a small group leader.  He also ran Willingdon Book and Bible, volunteered on the crisis line, faithfully attended Wednesday morning prayer meetings and the New Horizons Seniors group.  His relationship to God was paramount to him, and personal and family devotions were a priority.  Robert and Wendy have many memories of him praying and reading his Bible early in the morning.  He and Mom went on a mission’s trip to Brazil, and Dad also served on a Mexico mission’s team.

When Robert married Hilda and Wendy married Kevin, Dad warmly welcomed the In-laws into  the family and loved spending time with all his kids.  Once his three grandchildren,
Robyn Elisabeth, Kimberley Anne, and Andrew Wesley arrived, Dad embraced the role of being Grandpa and cherished every moment together.

The focus of vacations was spending time with immediate and extended family and included yearly holidays at the Stober’s cabin in Kelowna and frequent fishing trips to Deep Bay.  Other memorable vacations included a road trip across Canada, and trips to Savory Island, Arizona, Cannon Beach, Hawaii, Mexico, Turks and Caicos, and Europe.

Dad was a handyman who did many renovation projects for himself and others.  He enjoyed working with wood and making small items.  Other interests included reading, listening to classical music, gardening, driving his car, watching hockey and football, playing ping pong, chess, golfing, snorkeling, fishing, and even water skiing!

During his life Dad faced some health challenges including a collapsed lung, a heart attack, and was a cancer survivor.  Sadly, on October 19^th, the day after his 94^th birthday, he suffered multiple strokes and spent the next month in hospital.  He peacefully passed into his Lord’s presence on November 20^th.

Dad was meticulous, patient, faithful, and would do anything for anyone if it were within his power.  He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.