It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Herfried Telke, wonderful, loving husband of Margaret (Klippenstein) Telke. Lovingly surrounded by his family, Pappy slipped away, eager to meet His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on November 10, 2018. Herf and Marg are parents of four children: Lori (Dieter)Tischler, Sharon-Joy Fletcher, Dwight Telke, and Sonia (Ken) McKenzie. He also leaves behind nine precious grandchildren: Travis (Becky), Tanya (Jesse), Derek, Mitanjeli (Jordan), Natalie, Monika (Christian), Haley, Nathan, and Aaron, as well as his great grandchildren: Blake, Micah and Paige. He greatly influenced their lives and they’ll always remember precious “Pappy” – the man we all know as fun-loving, adventurous and joyful – a man of solid integrity and real faith. He is survived by one brother, Irwin (Olive) Telke and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Gottfried and Lydia Telke, brother Otto Telke, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Telke. Born in Germany on August 15, 1929, Herf was six months old when his parents immigrated to Canada, where they initially settled in the North Battleford area. After his elementary education in Shackleton, Saskatchewan, he graduated from the Lutheran Academy in Outlook. This formative time was followed by teacher’s training, a B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Oregon. He taught math at Crescent Heights High School in Medicine Hat for thirty years, with intermittent teaching periods in Africa. In the early years of his teaching career Herf took a year off to be a brakeman on the railway. That year he was involved in three major accidents, barely surviving the last one which left him with permanent hearing loss, a challenge that he uncomplainingly overcame. After this he turned back to teaching where he met and married Margaret, the love of his life. They’ve been married sixty four years. After several principalships in Saskatchewan, the young family moved to Medicine Hat. He is known for his great skill and enthusiasm for sports: baseball, hockey, curling, golfing, bowling, and tennis. Herf also played avid chess, weekly Rook games, and championship Cribbage. Countless family holidays included house boating, many ski trips and mountain stays. His most significant and life-changing decision was to accept a commission with the Canadian International Development Agency as professor at the Marangu Teacher Training College on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, East Africa. He made the five day climb up this, the highest mountain in Africa, twice and took the family on numerous big game safaris and exotic coastal vacations. The eight years in Africa included four rich years teaching at Rift Valley Academy with projects helping orphanages, famine aid and young pastors. The sixty years Herf and Marg have lived in Medicine Hat, Hillcrest Church has been the foundation for family-raising, spiritual growth, friendships, missions’ committees and many other serving opportunities. We have been deeply blessed by all that Hillcrest has provided. The most recent eight years at Chinook Village have been delightfully filled with the “cruise ship” atmosphere of everything from drama club, game tournaments, Neighborfest and Bible studies. Herfried’s vivacious, cheerful disposition has been evident to everyone. Bible quotations and stories – always on the tip of his tongue – have inspired us all. The family expresses sincere thanks to the 5 West medical team for their loving care.
Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery with the celebration of his life to follow at Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church (3785 13th Ave SE) at 1:30 p.m., officiated by Pastor Lance Duncalfe and Pastor Jamie McDonald. Those who wish to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the main gate to the cemetery at 12:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Herfried’s name will be gratefully appreciated by the Prairie Gleaners Society P.O. Box 656 Medicine Hat, AB T1A 7G6. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Herfried Telke, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.

• Date : 2018-11-10
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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