Ileen Elsie Konnert

Ileen is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bill, her sons Mark (Candace) of Calgary, Andrew (Michele) of Vancouver, her sister Doris Comfort, as well as 5 grandchildren: Heidi, Sam, Will, Clare, and Maeve. She was predeceased by her parents Ted and Martha Nelner, sister Irma, and brothers Ed, George, and Stan.

Ileen was born in Hanna, Alberta in 1927 and spent her childhood and youth on the family farm in Craigmyle. Times were hard during the Great Depression, but she was surrounded by a large and loving family and sustained by her faith in Jesus Christ. After completing high school by correspondence, she attended the Christian Training Institute in Edmonton. She then moved to Vancouver in 1947 where she worked at BC Tel, and met her future husband Bill Konnert. They married in 1952, and soon welcomed their 2 sons.

Throughout her life, Ileen was very heavily involved in Ebenezer Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, served in the Ladies’ Missionary Guild, and as church librarian. In her home, she welcomed guests from around the world, including visiting pastors missionaries, and musicians and choirs. She delighted in showing her guests the beauty of her adopted home in Vancouver, especially during Expo 86 when she visited the fairgrounds with her guests dozens of times.

Ileen and Bill entertained in their home very frequently and Ileen was a generous and gracious hostess. They had a large circle of friends, with whom they frequently travelled to destinations such as Hawaii, Palm Springs, Arizona, and Mexico. Bill and Ileen also travelled extensively around the the world, visiting 52 countries in all.

Ileen’s last years were difficult as she suffered from declining health, and she spent her last year in Sunrise of Vancouver. Ileen’s family wishes to express their deepest and most sincere appreciation to the staff at Sunrise as they cared for Ileen with great compassion while dealing with the difficulties posed by COVID-19.

Ileen’s life revolved around her family, her friends, and her faith. A devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, she was modest and unassuming, constantly amazed that a farm girl from Alberta could have lived the life she lived. She always thought of others before herself. A woman of great faith, she is now at rest with her Saviour.

Donations in Ileen’s memory may be made to Chain of Love (https://nabconference.org/give/chain-of-love/) or Taylor College and Seminary (http://www.taylor-edu.ca/give).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.vancouvercrematorium.com for the Konnert family.