Edmund Gust Christoffel

Born on October 29, 1926 in Lemberg, Saskatchewan to John and Wilhelmina (Augustine) Christoffel, Ed grew up on the family farm south of town. His was a musical family and Ed loved playing saxophone and clarinet and singing with his siblings. That led to decades of playing in dance bands and community groups. It was while playing that he met Joan Garden in neighboring Wolseley. They fell in love and married on July 31, 1954.

After some years at university and working in retail grocery (including owning and operating the general store in Lewvan, Saskatchewan), Ed set his sights on being an educator. While Ed & Joan’s family grew to five boys they moved back and forth to Regina, Ed teaching during the school year and attending teachers’ college in the summer. Eventually they settled in Regina, where he taught in the provincial Correspondence School until he retired in 1986.

Ed enjoyed retirement in the Qu’Appelle Valley near Fort Qu’Appelle. He and Joan loved gardening and selling produce at the Farmers Market, volunteering with the community outdoor play and long road trips. After Joan passed away in 1994, Ed continued contributing at the town visitor center, museum, the United Church, playing at care homes, etc. In October 2016, at age 90 he returned to Regina, to assisted living facilities.

It should be mentioned that Ed was a big Toronto Blue Jays fan and long-time Saskatchewan Roughrider season ticket holder. He would have been happy the Riders won the Grey Cup the day he left this world.

Ed is lovingly remembered by his five sons: Doug (Diane), Ken (Lori), David (Susan), Rob (Jacquie) and Geoffrey; plus nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Joan; his parents John and Wilhelmina and siblings: John Christoffel, Helen Christoffel, Rose Fines, Erna Temple, Anne Hoffman and Viola Pfeifer.

Though Ed is no longer with us, his quiet gentleness and good humor will continue to warm the hearts of those who knew him.

The family will determine memorial and interment arrangements at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, 150 Albert Street, Regina, SK, S4R 2N2