January 19, 1926 - February 17, 2025
In loving memory ~
Edwin Mehrer of Canyon, BC was the born in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan on January 19th, 1926. He was born to Karl and Lydia Mehrer; the 4th child of 13. He attended Pontiville (Elementary) and Jupitor School up to Grade 9. The family built and lived in a modest mud-brick house for several years before moving to Lethbridge AB in the early 1940's. Edwin joined the Canadian Army in 1945 and served a 2-year term. After leaving the Army, Ed became a Carpenter and soon an independent contractor calling his business Mehrer Construction. He built many houses in the Lethbridge area, as well as branching out into steel construction, erecting Behlen Steel Buildings, including grain bins and Quonsets for General Farm Supplies of Lethbridge AB.
He married Joyce in Lethbridge AB on August 29th, 1953, and they began building a life together with their first homes in Lethbridge. They soon filled the home with children, with the first child born in 1954, followed by another 10 children before making the move to Creston BC in 1965. Edwin and Joyce purchased an old farmhouse on 10 acres, and true to form, they built a new house and filled it with yet another 5 more children. With a total 15 children to raise, Ed (and Joyce) taught the children to participate in helping with the farm and caring for the younger children. The family raised their own beef, chicken, & pork, as well as growing a large vegetable garden & some fruit trees. Ed liked to be very self-sufficient. Needless to say,... we were, and are a very close family.
During his 99 years, Edwin's downline of children and grandchildren grew to be an impressive 101 direct descendants.
Edwin was very involved with the Canyon Community, serving on the Board over many years. He has lived in Canyon BC for nearly 60 years, and over the years, many of his siblings followed his lead and had also made the Creston Valley their home. Still, several of his children and grandchildren continue to live in the Creston Valley.
In his retirement years, Edwin put his carpentry skills to work and spent many hours crafting unique hand-made wooden boxes from all types of exotic woods from around the world. He made several hundred, well over 1000 of these boxes in various sizes, that he would gift to family, friends, and even strangers that he would encounter of the years to show his appreciation for their kindness. He inscribed each one with the name of the wood used and inside he would often include a small note or treat of some kind. These boxes are treasured and collected by his family and friends. He was still making them into his 99th year. It has been said by many people, both before and since his passing, that they still have the Box he gave them. It seems he created a bit of a legacy <3 .
Edwin is predeceased by his daughters Cassandra Mehrer of Creston, BC and Candace Vanderwiel of Prince George, BC; granddaughter Maria Karountzos of Creston, BC and great-grandson Brody Cumiskey of Smithers, BC. Also, by his parents Karl & Lydia Mehrer of Lethbridge, AB and 11 of his 12 siblings from Lethbridge, AB & Creston, BC.
Edwin is survived by 13 children; Sons Kelly (Debra) Mehrer, Todd (Laura) Mehrer, & Brandon Mehrer, and Daughters Debbi Kison, Violet (Dale) Nygren, Loretta Mehrer, & Bonnie (Rob) Geddes, all of Creston, BC. ; Daughters Julie (Jerry) Kind of Lethbridge, AB, Darlene (Bruce) MacDonald and Pamela (Frank) Mascaro of Langley, BC, Sherry (Eric) Chapman of Houston, BC, Michele (Chris Kaisner) Dwyer of Sparwood, BC, and Alanna (Tom) Barley of Kamloops, BC. He is also survived by 35 Grandchildren, 46 Great-grandchildren, 3 Great-great-grandchildren and many step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Melvin (Eleanor) Mehrer of Lethbridge, AB, as well as many, many nieces and nephews across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
His service was held at the Tivoli Theatre on Monday March 3rd, 2025, at 11:00 am, followed by a luncheon at the Creston Hotel Banquet Room. Internment took place at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC at 1:30 pm following the luncheon.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.crestonvalleyfuneralservices.ca
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Creston Valley Funeral Services.
