Aldemar Aarhus

Surrounded by his loved ones, Aldemar Aarhus went to meet his Lord and Savior May 6, 2018.  Aldemar, the last of the Aarhus generation, was a Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, uncle and great uncle.

Aldemar is survived by daughters Mavis Aarhus (Ernie), Lila Aarhus, Lorraine Mitchell (Scotty), 2 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Dorothy Aarhus.  He was predeceased by son Perry Aarhus (December 22, 2000), sisters Myrtle (John) Giesbrecht and Annie (Dan) Buhler, and brothers Ewald Aarhus and Alvin (Leona) Aarhus. 

Dad was born at home on the homestead in Menisino on April 5, 1920 to Marie and Knute Aarhus.  Except for the years spent in the armed forces during WW II, Aldemar lived his first 85 years close to the homestead located at SW2-3-10E, about halfway between Woodridge and Menisino in the RM of Piney.  The last 12 years living at Cedarwood Supportive Housing complex on Wilson Street in Steinbach.

Growing up on the homestead Aldemar learned to love the outdoors.  Hunting, trapping and farming with horses were what he loved.  When not on the farm he worked out as a carpenter working for various companies.  Dad had a heart for animals, especially horses. His patience and understanding of animals always amazed us as he settled the animals down then gained their complete trust in very short order. Dad was a good visitor and enjoyed a good story.  A soft-spoken man who seldom lost his temper. 

Aldemar told many stories of his trapping and hunting adventures in northern and southern Manitoba.  The results were evident on the farm as the furs were on stretch boards drying in the sun.  Over the years dad became a scavenger of metals including pop cans, wire and steel as a means to make additional money.  His last years were spent on an electric scooter in and around Steinbach during the warmer days.  The City of Steinbach recognized Aldemar for his role in keeping Steinbach cleaner or what his daughter Mavis called “operation roadside cleanup”.  Aldemar enjoyed playing cards like Cribbage, Whist and Bridge as a member of 55 plus in Steinbach.  He was always ready to teach others when we would want to stop playing.  At family gatherings the card game was often Pitch or Shoot da Moon.

Dad, we will miss you, your stories and your passion for family gatherings. From you we learnt how to accept the things we have no control over. The family wishes to thank Cedarwood Supportive Housing for the care and wonderful meals, Dr. Duerksen & nursing staff at the Bethesda Hospital along with Susan & Rick Fehr (lady Fehr) for all the compassionate care shown to dad in his last days.

Aldemar Aarhus’s celebration of life will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 1 pm at Vita Hall (Ukrainian Home of Vita) located at 209 Main St. N, Vita, Manitoba.   Burial will be after the service where dad will join his mother Marie, father Knute, sisters Myrtle & Annie, brothers Ewald & Alvin, and his son Perry and others, in the family plot in the Norwegian Cemetery in Menisino, Manitoba.