Elmer Haberstock

Elmer Carl Jacob Haberstock was born in the Churchbridge District on the 31st of December, 1928. He was the second son of 11 children born to Fred and Adele (nee Dressler) Haberstock. When he was one year old, his family moved to Minnesota, returning to Canada in 1934. Most of his schooling was at Rothbury School. In 1950, Elmer enrolled in a home-study course in automotive and diesel mechanics from Chicago Vocational School and completed it in Edmonton, receiving his journeyman certification. Together with his brother-in-law, Erwin Wiesinger, he operated Erwin & Elmer’s Service Ltd. from 1958 to 1994. During this time, Elmer married his sweetheart, Jeanette Threinen, on July 14, 1963. Together they raised three children: Michelle, Joel, and Twila. Their acreage brought much enjoyment with nature walks, cross country skiing, skating, gardening, dogs, cats and a horse. Elmer also enjoyed coaching hockey and baseball; he was an avid fisherman and camper.  

Elmer lived out his Christian faith in practical ways. He was actively involved in the Lutheran Laymen’s League and attended a number of international conventions across the United States and Canada as Lutheran Hour Chairman for the Man-Sask District.  Elmer also loved Zion Lutheran Church. Over the years he held various positions on the church council and was a long time choir member. 

In his retirement years he enjoyed coffee row with the guys at McDonald’s and A&W. These men solved many of the world’s problems on a daily basis. Elmer and Jeanette traveled to various countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as South East Asia. Elmer enjoyed watching his Blue Jays and Roughriders - especially in person, and especially during winning seasons.  

Papa loved each of his grandchildren in a special way. He took pride in their accomplishments and always looked forward to hearing of their adventures. In true “Papa” fashion, he bestowed his love on each one. In a similar way, Jodie, Randy, and Angelo were welcomed in, not merely as his children’s spouses, but as his loved kids.

The move from the acreage into Yorkton (2013) opened a new chapter in their lives. From their third storey view, Elmer enjoyed watching other people work for a change. In the last couple of years, with eyesight failing and various health issues, his independence was compromised and he was known to say, “Growing old is for the birds.” He celebrated his 90th birthday this past New Year’s Eve surrounded by his family. Two weeks later, on the evening of January 16th, he was released into heaven with sweet granddaughter hugs and a kiss.  

Elmer is predeceased by his father Fred (1983) and his mother Adele (1998); two brothers: Jerome (1947) and Wilfred (1956); three sisters: Luella (1995), Elfrieda (2013) and Selma (2011).  To cherish his memory, Elmer leaves his sweet wife of 55 years, Jeanette; children Michelle (Randy) Dzuba, Joel (Jodie), and Twila (Angelo) Napoleoni; two grandsons: Darius and Caleb; five grand-daughters: Anica, Rebecca, Zoe, Alicia, and Isabella; sisters: Jeanette, Gertrude (Roland), and Marjorie; brothers: Rodney (Doreen) and Harold (Mary), as well as in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends far and near.

Visitation  for family and friends for the late Elmer Haberstock age 90 years of Yorkton, husband of Jeanette Haberstock will be held on Friday, January 25, at 7:00 P.M. from the Chapel of Christies Funeral Home.

A Funeral Service for Elmer Haberstock, will be held on Saturday,  January 26, at 11:00 A.M. from the Zion Lutheran Church in Yorkton.  

Interment will follow in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Elmer may be made to the Lutheran Layman's League of Canada.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elmer Haberstock, please visit our floral store.