Continuing with my wife's  life lesson story; 
1. Karl's generosity  - Mr. Bandelow ( which is what I called him as my boss) gave me a job working as a delivery driver of plumbing equipment for him.  Driving and watching the apprentices and journeyman plumbers work, I thought, I could do that job.  It is not a hard job- all they do is put pipes into walls.  This is when I decided to ask Karl if I could become an apprentice plumber? I kept asking him when I could start and after a few months - yes- months, he finally said I could start as an apprentice.  I was ecstatic! So - the next day I met him at a job site, where a back - hole driver had started digging a ditch.   Karl told me I was to help fix the ditch to correct specifications.   Easy Peasy - right!   
2. Everything does not come easy - you need to work for it. The ditch was about 100 yards, well it felt like 100 years, it most likely was only 10 to 15.   I thought I was doing a great job, but I learned quickly that I had a long way to go especially when Karl came to check.  As most of you know Karl is a man of few words  but I knew right away of how much more work I needed to do, and my back and muscles were killing me already.  This is when I figured out that plumbing or physical labour was not a career choice for me, but I think Karl already knew that. 
3. Actions speak louder than words - instead of telling me this lesson, he showed me, but I think that was just one he wanted me to learn.  The second one was he wanted to keep me away from his beautiful daughter.  Obviously, this did not work for him, but he seemed to tolerate me!
4. He was always there for his family - One of the best things about having Karl as my father-in-law is that for the past 30 years, I did not have to pay for any of my own plumbing needs.  
He was a wonderful father-in-law and we were blessed to have him in our lives and he will be missed greatly.  Thank you Karl for all you have done for me and my family. 


I'm sure everyone here has memories just like ours. They are good memories, something that you'll all have to cherish.  It currently is hard to think of the memories down the road that is to come that we thought Papa would be here for, but come to think of it, he will have the best seat in the house.  It isn't often in our lives that we come across someone so special that they stay with you forever.  Papa was that kind of person. The kind of love Papa had for us was a love without condition. He may not have approved of everything we did, may not have likes some of our decisions, but he never lectured or judged. He just kept loving us- letting us know that he was there and if we needed him, we could count on him to listen, to comfort and to help. 
So, for your wisdom, your humor, tenderness and compassion, your understanding, your patience and your love; thank you Papa. You will forever be in our hearts. 

It's the little things that we remember the most about Papa - having at least one pen in his shirt pocket, his love for elephants, and his amazing well thought out one  liners that could bring a whole room to a lugh. For as long as we can remember, every year for Grandma's birthday tea parties, we were asked to dress up as whatever we wanted to be that year.  When we were young that usually meant dressing up as princesses.  Papa would always be the butler, making sure everyone was with a drink and well fed.  As we got older and got more creative and crazier with whom we wanted to pretend to be, Papa would continue to always treat us like princesses no matter how ridiculous we got. 
He was always there to lend a hand when it came to fixing things or building; whether it was the toys out of the Kinder surprise eggs or taking us older girls to Home Depot to build birdhouses and wooden cars.  He taught us "the ways"  to pumpkin carving, which funny enough apply to a lor more in life than just pumpkins.  He was always someone to look up to, never missing a dance recital, music concert, sports game or graduation - he was always there to support us.  At the end he always gave us a hug squeezing our ribs so much that it tickled, which we knew was his way to say he was proud of us. 

An intimate connection with the heart is not divided by death.

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the home
the furnace was clucking and the pipes did groan.
The pails were placed carefully under the leaks
in hopes they'd last for a couple of weeks.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
with fluffy feather blankets, pulled over their heads. 
And Mama in a toque, and i in long johns. 
We had just snuggled in cozy, till dawn.

When out from the basement arose such a bang, 
I jumped out of bed, hit my head with a clang.
To the basement I ran, threw open the door,
just as I imagined, there's water on the floor. 

The single light bulb shone on the watery goo,
as I stood in the water, not knowing what to do.
When what to my wandering eyes should appear,
It was Karl the plumber with all of his gear. 

He's a tall lanky man, with a braid in his hair,
a gleam in his eyes as he came down the stairs.
He clothes reminded me of a young hippy.....
peace signs and color, sort of trippy.

Karl laid out the fittin's all in a row,
called them by name and to work he did go.
"Need clamps, need crimpers,need pvc too,
some pipe dope and the yellow smelly glue.

Now pex pipe goes here to stop the leak,
He shook his head, should've been fixed last week.
To the top of the staircase, I went in a hurry,
to avoid the plumber's scolding and fiery.

Karl spoke no more and completed his work.
He fixed those pipes, then turned with a jerk,
to straighten his back and unkink his knees.
Up the stairs he went, like a breeze.

Karl jogged to his van, said he had to go.
As I waved from the stoop, asked how much do I owe?
And I heard him exclaim, as he went out of sight.
There is no bill, Merry Christmas and goodnight. 

This is how I remember Uncle Karl, a kind, happy spirit, with a smirkish grin...and above all, the infamous braid, that hung pasted his shoulders, his signature, which I'll always remember.  
Rest in Peace. 


A memorial tree was planted in memory of Karl BANDELOW.  Plant a tree

Liz I am so sorry to hear of Karl's passing, just found out yesterday. Pray you will be comforted by your memories of Karl. Hugs
Margaret

Dec 06, 2019
Auf wiedersehen Karl
Es ist unglaublich das nach 55 Jahren ich Dich nicht wieder sehen und mit Dir reden kann.
Du hast mein Leben völlig verbeßert durch Deine Freundschaft mit mir.
-Richard

Life lessons from Papa

First lesson, - Manners matter – We were brought up with extraordinary manners.  Using please, thank you and excuse me were common but we also learned the correct way to use a knife fork and spoon. Your left hand for the fork and your right hand is only for the knife which you cut the food with and pushed the food onto the fork with.  Never switching. Never have your elbows on the table, and slouching was not allowed, If you were caught slouching a broom stick might be used to put behind your back and between your arms to keep your back straight.  Everything on your plate was eaten or you were at the table till it was done.  

Second lesson - Listen – not just hearing what others are saying, but truly listen. My father was a man of few words but all the things he said almost always had a lesson in it.  Sometimes he would just tell you, and sometimes you had to figure it out.  When you truly listen, you make a connection with the person. 

Third lesson – Family is important - My dad was a busy man, and he was there when he said he would be.  He never really sat still. He built us a sandbox, teeter totter, skating rinks, tree houses and playhouses.  He hid Easter basket for us and carved several pumpkins.  He made all the holidays special for our family.  Our Christmas’ were often spent driving in blizzards down to Taber to be with extended family.  Sometimes we ever ended up in the ditch, but as a family we got there safely. We would go on Sunday drives out in the country and take the long way home, stopping several times to just enjoy being together and discovery new places.  Being together was his happy place.

My father had several other lessons that he passed on to us, I will miss these lessons and will continue to pass on these lessons to my children.


Elizabeth and Family,
Our condolences to you on the passing of Karl.
May fond memories bring you comfort during this hard time.
Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family.

I will always value the trips and time spent with Karl and Liz whether it was on a cruise or our trips to Taber. Karl, you will be missed but our memories will not.

I will definitely miss our shared birthday celebrations. It was always a good excuse for a prolonged party.

OBITUARIO

Karl Heinz Bandelow

12 febrero, 1940 – 1 diciembre, 2019

Foster's Garden Chapel Funeral Home & Crematorium

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