Ernie Krepps
Ernest Krepps
March 7th, 1942 - November 7th, 2022
Ernie was born to William & Leokadia (nee Krentz) Krepps on the family farm in the Brock SK area. He graduated from Brock School in 1960 and had many fond memories of friends, playing sports, and getting into mischief. In 1958, and what would turn our to be a life-long love, he met his future wife Ellen when she was dared to shove a snowball down Ernie’s back. Upon graduation, Ernie began his (decorated) military career by joining the Canadian Armed Forces Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Signals as a Communication Specialist, taking his training in Edmonton/ Wainwright Alberta, and Kingston Ontario. While in training at Kingston, it was there he married the love of his life Ellen Duplessis in January of 1962.
Ernie and Ellen were first posted at Ottawa Carp., installing an underground bunker. It was there that their two sons (Gordy & Guy) were born. Gordy in January of 1963, followed by Guy in that December. 1966 they transferred to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Penhold Alberta. While stationed there, they had to live in Red Deer AB instead of on the base due to the RCMP using the space & living quarters for training while Depot in Regina SK was under renovation. During this time their daughter Tammy was born in July of 1967. January 1968 Ernie got posted for his northern posting at Alert Bay (pretty much next door to the literal North Pole) until August of that same year, after which he got to go back to CFB Penhold and live on base finally in the fall of 1969. April 1973 the family transferred to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Masset, Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), followed by CFB Shilo in 1975, CFB Edmonton Griesbach 1977, then CFS Alsask 1981. In 1985 Ernie was transferred back to Kingston for 2 years to instruct at the School of Signals where then after in 1987 they would transfer to his final post in Winnipeg MB until his retirement in 1992 with the rank of Sergeant. During his free time while posted at most of these bases, you would find him coaching hockey in winter, and baseball during the summers. Retirement would bring Ernie and Ellen back to their roots in Kindersley SK. In his retirement, he even kept busy working on construction of several local concrete elevators.
Ernie had made several wonderful life-long friends in his lifetime. Together they created many special memories and were more like family instead of friends. The Legion was very important to him, and for anyone who knew Ernie, knew how much it meant to him, along with his respect for the veterans that he got to know, and the happiness that he got from the comradeship from being a part of the Royal Canadian Legion. His greatest joy came from helping others and his family, “A life full and well lived to the very end”.
Ernie is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 60 years Ellen. His children: Guy (Bella) Krepps, and Tammy (Rob) Roy. Grandchildren: Breanna Roy (Lanny Tait), Rebecca Roy (Ryan Muench), Victoria Krepps (Mauricio Sanchez Toledo), and Olivia Krepps. His great-grandson Aston Annesley, and great-granddaughters; Kayln and Briley Tait. Ernie is also survived by his brother Otto (Elaine) Krepps, stepsister Vi Brummond, Sisters-in-law: Delores Krepps, and Evelyn Jacobs, Stepsisters-in-law: Joan Bredy, Leona Bredy, and Judy Bredy, his brother-in-law Stephen (Sharon) Duplessis, along with numerous nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends. He had been predeceased by his parents William and Lottie Krepps, stepfather Herman Bredy, and his son Gordy Krepps. As well as his father and mother-in-law Gordon and Margaret Duplessis, his brothers: Gerald Krepps, Clair Smyth, Bob Waters, Alvin Krepps, and Jack Krepps, his sisters: Betty Fox, Mary Fraser, and Elizabeth Krepps. Stepbrothers: Delmer Bredy, Kenny Bredy, Jerry Bredy, and Roy Bredy. Stepsister Irene Nunweiler, brothers-in-law: Howie McCallum, and Don Jacobs, sisters-in-law: Hazel Duplessis, and Agnes Krepps. Stepsister-in-law, Bernie Bredy.
There will be a service held for Ernie later in springtime. Donations may be made in Ernie’s name to the following charities: Royal Canadian Legion #57 Kindersley, or Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.