Obituary of Fernie Renner

Renner, Fernie

July 31, 1934 – March 17, 2018

Fernie passed away peacefully in Grace Hospice. He was predeceased by his parents Carolina and Ferdinand; brothers Gordon and Walter; sisters Hertha Goshagar and Gertie Frombach; nephew Gordie Kammerer and niece Darlene Frombach; brothers in law Aaron Frombach, Leon Goshagar and Tony Kammerer. He is survived by his brothers Eddie (Sylvia) and Gilbert (Muriel); sisters Evelyn (Pete) and Frieda; sister in law Jean; cousins Annie Welscher and Imogene Lauman as well as many nieces and nephews and their spouses, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. Fernie would likely be listed as a farm labourer, but he was much more. He never needed to be asked or directed – he knew what needed doing. He was an excellent mechanic and a very good welder (he did leave the farm once to take a welding course). He was not a lover of livestock – the misbehavior of a cow evoked an immediate disciplinary action. Fernie had a unique sense of humor. He was admired and appreciated by his family and neighbors. Coffee always followed a work situation, or was often an occurrence just to enjoy a drop in friend/neighbor. Fernie had two major health concerns. In both cases he continued doing chores or helping with whatever needed doing right up to when he had to give in and go for a diagnosis. The first, was being diagnosed a celiac. This was overcome with a correct diet and he returned to being Fernie. The garden became his farm after the land was rented out. The second diagnosis was lung cancer – that one he didn’t overcome. He fell and broke his hip to make life more challenging. Fernie’s orders – “no service, no funeral and no tears.”. We felt two out of the three are do-able! He will be cremated with a private family burial at a later date. Fernie’s passing leaves a very huge hole in our lives! Our sincere thanks to the staff at the Pasqua hospital and Grace Hospice for compassionate care and making Fernie’s last days comfortable.