Edmund Hensel

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother & uncle, in the city of Vancouver at the Blessed age of 94.

Edmund was born in a small German farming community in eastern Europe, the second oldest of eight children of Emil and Emilie Hensel. Like many other families from that time, their lives were shattered by war as their father was taken prisoner and the family was forced to leave their farm. Displaced and having to move several times, they eventually were reunited and emigrated to Canada in 1957.

They made a new home in Edmonton, and Edmund started working in his trade as a tile setter. This work took him all over Canada and into the US. It was hard work, but he especially enjoyed going to all these new cities and towns, from PEI to Victoria. After spending a few weeks in Vancouver, and knowing how cold it got in Alberta, he decided to stay and bought a house. It was at Vancouver’s Alpen Club that Edmund met the love of his life, Maria Krische.

They were married at Holy Family Parish in 1966 around the same time as they decided to partner on an ambitious real estate project. They combined their savings, their skills and their determination and did what few thought possible. Edmund would say that neither of them alone could have achieved what they did, all the while without a single argument.

They raised three children and were further Blessed by eight grandchildren. They loved being Oma and Opa and having a quiet semi-retirement for many years, but after 55 years of marriage Maria passed away in 2022. Edmund missed her every single day & would often say how much he loved her. After many years of compromised lungs (from his work in construction), Edmund passed away peacefully with family at his side praying with him. He is survived by is children Bernhard (Grace), Irene (Garnet) and Robert (May); and eight grandchildren: Robyn, Lauren, Conrad, Amber, Thomas, Theresa, Marcus and Emilia; and his brothers, Leo, Adolf and Horst.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish (1430 West 38th Avenue, Vancouver) at 10:00am April 3rd, followed by entombment at Gardens of Gethsemani. Reception will follow.