Lorne John Schaan

Our Saviour Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant, Lorne John Schaan.

Lorne was born at home on November 20, 1938, a child of John and Hildegard (nee Kitz) Schaan. He was baptized on November 21, 1938 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Landestreu and was confirmed (in German) on March 29, 1953. 

Lorne was predeceased by his parents and his brother Lloyd. He is survived by his loving wife, Aurelia, his two daughters, Corliss and Carolyn, sister Elaine and brother-in-law Steve Dencsak, sister Doreen and brother-in-law Ed Lowe, brother Allan and sister-in-law Jean, sister-in-law Eloise, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

On October 8, 1966, he married Aurelia Baumung at Grace Lutheran Church, Zorra. Living on the family farm, they worked the garden and the fields. They raised cattle, chickens, pigs, ducks, cats, dogs, horses and their 2 daughters, Corliss and Carolyn.  As busy as this kept him, he still found time to teach Sunday School and serve the Landestreu congregation in a number of ways.

In 1988, the decision was made to sell the farm and move to Langenburg. They began attending Christ Lutheran Church where he acted as elder, usher, held roles on the council, counted offering and served the congregation in many other capacities. All you had to do was ask. He worked until his 80s at several jobs, keeping him busy, bringing him joy and lifelong friends, especially those at SARCAN and the Activity Centre.

Lorne was also strongly community minded. He was a member of the Lion’s Club in MacNutt and Langenburg. He attended school meetings, helped at the rink tying skates or cleaning the curling ice, visited people in the Care Home and drove people to appointments. Again, all you had to do was ask.

Lorne loved his family and friends and did not mind being the centre of attention. He always had a story to tell and a laugh to share. He enjoyed curling and visiting on coffee row. He was an avid reader and you could find him each morning in his chair reading his Portals of Prayer.

He lived a good long life despite being accident prone: falling off horses, granaries, ladders and beds; falling into cisterns and garage doors; getting in the way of falling icicles and excited dogs; and nearly burning down the house trying to fix the furnace.

Despite his failing health, he never lost his zest for life, his commitment to others and his faith in God. Lorne was a wonderful Dad and a loving husband, joining his “girls” and their friends in many of their shenanigans. He raised his daughters with love and a sense of humour and stood beside them as they learned the hard lessons of natural consequences. Lorne was a model of service to God, his family and his community. To those who have been impacted by his servant’s heart, please carry on his legacy by doing the same for others.    

“His Master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:23)

A heartfelt thanks to all the family, friends, Home Care and Centennial Special Care Home staff who supported and cared for Dad over the past few months.