Obituary of Elsie Yackel

April 15, 1930 - Estuary, Saskatchewan

January 15, 2025 - Calgary, Alberta

Elsie Yackel (nee Hoffman), beloved wife of Rudolph “Rudy” Yackel, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the age of 94 years.

Elsie was born to Jacob and Emma Hoffman on April 15, 1930, near Leader, SK. She grew up as the seventh in a line of twelve children. In her late teens, she met the handsome Rudy Yackel who was determined to marry her. They married on July 7, 1947, and began farming near Estuary, SK. Their daughter Karen was born soon after and then their son Neil. They purchased a farm near Glidden and later moved to Moose Jaw where their son Daryl was born. In 1994 they moved to Airdrie, AB, to be close to Daryl and his young family.

Elsie and Rudy came to faith in Christ in revival meetings and served the Lord faithfully. Elsie made a home for her family cooking many traditional German-Canadian favourites. Growing up in the Great Depression, Elsie knew how to save and reuse almost everything, and nothing went to waste. She enjoyed her large garden, canning, baking, walking, and Bible study, and in later years when there were no kids left at home, added knitting and crocheting to her life. Staying active, fit, and healthy was very important to her.

She loved gathering the family for Sunday dinners and celebrating family birthdays. She always had time for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and sought their company whenever she could. She was unfortunately predeceased by her oldest children, but she remained steadfast in trusting God’s grace and provision. Her trust in God endured after Rudy’s passing in 2002, and in her final year, God’s peace grew despite her frustration with declining physical abilities.

She leaves behind a rich legacy of love in her son Daryl (Connie), grandchildren, Andrea (Doug), Ian (Amie), Jeff (Chelsi), Jenessa, Matthew, and Jonathan (Angelique), great-grandchildren, Katherine, Theresa, Stephen, Rebecca, Samuel, Kardyn, Kaizley, Kiptyn, and Jesse, and adopted daughter-in-law Cathie. Elsie was predeceased by her parents, siblings, and some of her nieces and nephews.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to two ministries Elsie supported Life Outreach International, (P.O. Box 4000 Langley, BC V3A 8J8), Telephone: 1-800-947-5433 https://lifetoday.org/give/, or Kedleston Gospel Camp ( 808 Assiniboine Ave E. Regina, SK  S4V 0K6) Telephone: 306-729-4402, https://www.kedlestongospelcamp.com/donate

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Elsie’s family here.

In living memory of Elsie Yackel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.