Ernst Redekopp was born on May 12, 1932 in the town of Chortiza in Ukraine to Jakob and Lena Redekopp. He was the firstborn of three siblings. Two sisters, Erna and Sina, soon followed to make the family complete. At an early age of two, one would often see him find a car and sit in it. His affinity for machines became obvious in his early childhood. One of his favorite passions in life became working on cars or anything mechanical, either in the shop or at home. He loved helping his children and grandchildren with anything that required a motor or was in other mechanical need, as long as it was made of metal.
He and his family lived under Soviet regime until 1941, often going cold and hungry. That year the German Army took control of the area they lived in. Because the Redekopps could read and speak German, his father was often used as a translator. Because of their involvement in assisting the German Army the family moved often. Therefore, the children’s schooling was frequently interrupted and caused their early education to suffer.
Ernst was known for getting into trouble as he put it, for helping. One time a plane landed in a nearby field. Curious Ernst was one of the first people to arrive on the scene and the German pilots asked for directions. Of course, he knew where they should have landed in a nearby town and offered to show them. Thus, he scored his first plane ride unbeknownst to his parents who were now frantically looking for him. But the plane returned not long after to the field and dropped him off.
In 1943 when the German Army retreated, they too, along with many others headed towards Poland. They reached Poland in 1944. Soon, once again on the run from the Russians, they headed towards Germany. His Father had joined the German Army. On the way to Germany, his mother got separated from him and his sisters. So he took charge and followed the caravan. Eventually someone recognized him and told him that his mother was in front of the caravan. He went to find her and so mother and children were re united. His father was still serving in the German Army. Father had given Mother an address to which they would send information about their where about. So after some time and letter writing they met up in a predesignated spot in Germany.
The Ukrainian refugees of German descent were still afraid of being returned to Russia. Through the efforts of MCC, the Redekopps were able to sail to South America in 1947 on the ship Volendam. With delays, first in Argentina and then in Paraguay, after a 6 months journey filled with challenges, they arrived in the Chaco of Paraguay. The Redekopp’s spent 3 years in Filadelfia. When Ernst’s father was offered a position in Volendam, he told Ernst to stay and finish his apprenticeship, because he had a good job in Filadelfia. Having a practical and pragmatic mind, Ernst excelled in finding solutions to problems. So it was not uncommon to hear the call when problems needed to be solved,: “wua es Radikopp”? (Where is Redekopp) So the German expression “Maedchen fuer Alles” (Girl for everything) was applied to him. True to his nature, he was always ready to help.
Ernst’s father got the opportunity to visit his sisters and brothers in Brazil. Upon returning from the trip he told Ernst to go see his relatives and pursue better job opportunities in Brazil. In 1952 He left for Brazil to complete his apprenticeship as a lathe operator. He was accepted into the Enns family as one of their own. To the children he was known as “Onkel Moijin”, as he loved to greet them by taking their hand into his, pretend to “slap their hand” and say “moijin, moijin”. He had a sense of humor that was lighthearted, made people laugh and feel comfortable. He worked for over 16 years repairing cars, he specially liked to work on the older cars and make parts that were no longer available.
He met Luisa Rahn and married her on December 1. 1956. They first lived in the city of Curitiba close to work. Later they built a house in Boquirao and had three children, Hane Lore (1957), Adelheid (1960) and Siegfried (1967). They enjoyed many good times with their adopted Enns familie, as both their parents were not in Brazil. As Ernst loved traveling, trips to the Guaratuba beach and visiting relatives in neighboring states became regular adventures.
In 1972 part of Luisa’s family came to visit them and asked if they wanted to come to Canada. Ernst was very apprehensive about moving to Canada as he had many of his relatives and friends in Brazil. After much thought, he said yes but only for three years. Luisa’s brother Hartmut helped him with the paperwork. In April 1973 they left for Canada. First stop was in Toronto. There Luisa’s sister Elli met them and helped them along the way. Then they stopped in Winnipeg to visit Luisa’s other sister Erica and family before heading to their final destination, Vancouver.
In Vancouver they lived with Luisa’s parents for a few months and Ernst is even known for saying he liked living in the basement. Luisa’s brother Ernie gave him his first job. They soon moved to 49th and Main for a few months before buying a house and moving to 45th Ave. They had many visitors from Brazil and hosted many parties, entertaining them with his famous churrasco and caipirinha. He kept his parties going with humor and laughter. They also made many trips to Brazil and Paraguay to visit their relatives as well as to Germany to visit his parents. We can’t forget the trips they took to Hawaii and Mexico bearing gifts for children and grandchildren. Yes, Ernst liked to travel. One of their long-standing traditions was a family trip to Osooyos every year for approximately 47 years in total. In 1997 Ernst retired and moved to Abbotsford; first into a townhouse and later into an apartment. Here they enjoyed some relaxing years. Ernst loved watching the cars go by. He liked to watch his favorite show “Bonanza” every afternoon and in the evening he watched “Wheel of Fortune”. Lately his favorite pass time was to count the cars at the Clearbrook MB Church parking lot and tell his son in law how many there were and how empty or full the church must have been. He enjoyed the TV services from Clearbrook MB church when he couldn’t attend King Road MB Church.
His commitment to his Church had grown through the years. He didn’t wear his beliefs on his sleeves, so to speak. Only in his later years has he shared with us his spiritual experience at age 20, where he accepted the Word of God from Isaiah 43:1 as Jesus’ words spoken to him personally. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” He kept that verse on a piece of paper to the day of his death. He has shared this experience with some of his family in the last years and pulled it out recently to show his Pastor. His commitment to support the church financially was exemplary.
He has left behind a beautiful family which he showed how to be generous.
He is mourned by: His Wife Luisa of 65 over Years.
Daughter Hane-Lore (and Fred) Ekkert
Daughter Adelheid Klassen
Son Siegfried (and Joan) Redekopp
Six married grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
He is pre deceased by his grandson Arno Ekkert
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