1942 ~ 2022 (age 80)

Ernest Milton Krepps born March 7th, 1942, passed away at his home in Kindersley Saskatchewan November 7th, 2022 at the age of 80 years.

Ernie was born to William & Leokadia (nee Krentz) Krepps on the family farm in the Brock SK area.  He graduated from Brock School in 1960 and had many fond memories of friends, playing sports, and getting into mischief.  In 1958, and what would turn out to be a life-long love, he met his future wife Ellen when she was dared to shove a snowball down Ernie’s back.  Upon graduation, Ernie began his (decorated) military career by joining the Canadian Armed Forces Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Signals as a Communication Specialist, taking his training in Edmonton/ Wainwright Alberta, and Kingston Ontario.  While in training at Kingston, it was there he married the love of his life Ellen Duplessis in January of 1962.

Ernie and Ellen were first posted at Ottawa Carp., for the installation of a 4-story underground bunker.  It was there that their two sons (Gordy & Guy) were born.  Gordy in January of 1963, followed by Guy in December of the same year.  1966 found them transferred to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Penhold Alberta to work at the underground bunker there.  While stationed there, they had to live in Red Deer AB instead of on the base due to the RCMP using the space & living quarters for training while Depot in Regina SK was under renovation.  It was during this time that their daughter Tammy was born in July of 1967.  January of 1968 Ernie found himself posted for his northern posting at Alert Bay in Emerald Isle (pretty much next door to the literal North Pole) until August of that same year, after which he got to go back to CFB Penhold and live on base finally in the fall of 1969.  April 1973 the family got transferred to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), followed by CFB Shilo in 1975, CFB Edmonton Griesbach 1977, then CFS Alsask 1981.  In 1985 Ernie was transferred back to Kingston for the next 2 years to help instruct at the School of Signals where then after in 1987 they would transfer to his final post in Winnipeg MB until his retirement in 1992 with the rank of Sergeant.  During his free time while posted at most of these bases, you would find him coaching hockey in winter, and baseball during the summers.  Retirement would bring Ernie and Ellen back to their roots in Kindersley SK.  In his retirement, he even kept busy working on the construction of several concrete elevators in the area.

Ernie had made several wonderful life-long friends in his lifetime.  Together they created many special memories and were more like family instead of friends.  The Legion was very important to him, and for anyone who knew Ernie, knew how much it meant to him, along with his respect for the veterans that he got to know, and the happiness that he got from the comradeship from being a part of the Royal Canadian Legion.  His greatest joy came from helping others and his family, “A life full and well lived to the very end”.

Ernie will live on in the hearts and memories of his beloved family and friends.  He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years Ellen.  His children: Guy (Bella) Krepps, and Tammy (Rob) Roy.  Grandchildren: Breanna Roy (Lanny Tait), Rebecca Roy (Ryan Muench), Victoria Krepps (Mauricio Sanchez Toledo), and Olivia Krepps.  His great-grandson Aston Annesley, and great-granddaughters; Kayln and Briley Tait.  Ernie is also survived by his brother Otto (Elaine) Krepps, stepsister Vi Brummond, Sisters-in-law: Delores Krepps, and Evelyn Jacobs, Stepsisters-in-law: Joan Bredy, Leona Bredy, and Judy Bredy, and his brother-in-law Stephen (Sharon) Duplessis, along with numerous nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.

He had been predeceased in this life by his parents William and Lottie Krepps, stepfather Herman Bredy, and his son Gordy Krepps.  As well as his father and mother-in-law Gordon and Margaret Duplessis, his brothers: Gerald Krepps, Clair Smyth, Bob Waters, Alvin Krepps, and Jack Krepps, his sisters: Betty Fox, Mary Fraser, and Elizabeth Krepps.  Stepbrothers: Delmer Bredy, Kenny Bredy, Jerry Bredy, and Roy Bredy.  Stepsister Irene Nunweiler, brothers-in-law: Howie McCallum, and Don Jacobs, sisters-in-law: Hazel Duplessis, and Agnes Krepps.  Stepsister-in-law, Bernie Bredy

There will be a Memorial Mass held for Ernie Saturday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kindersley, SK with Rev. Fr. John Abban-Bonsu as celebrant. He will be laid to rest with Military Honours in the Kindersley Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Ernie’s name to the following charities of the family’s choice: Royal Canadian Legion #57 Kindersley  P.O. Box 2409 Kindersley SK S0L 1S0, or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada  #1200 – 2300 Younge Street, Box 2414  Toronto ON  M4P 1E4.

Rest easy soldier

 

Services

MEMORIAL MASS

Saturday
May 20, 2023
2:00 PM
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
600 4th Ave West
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0

Donations

Royal Canadian Legion, Kindersley Branch 57
Box 2409, Kindersley SK S0L 1S0

C/O Prairie Rose Floral & Gifts 400 Main St Kindersley SK

Heart & Stroke Foundation (Saskatchewan Branch)
1738 Quebec Avenue Unit 26, Saskatoon SK S7K 1V9

Respectfully,
The Staff of Kindersley Community Funeral Home & Crematorium

http://www.kindersleyfuneralhome.com