Obituary of Leopold Monseler

To watch the recording of the Service, please click this link:
https://video.ibm.com/embed/recorded/131069598

Leopold Monseler, at the age of 94, quietly left this earth on Oct 8th, 2021. He is reunited with the love of his life Nancy, who predeceased him in 2019. 

Leo was born at home in Riga, Latvia on Oct 23rd, 1926. Leo is survived by his sister Eleonore Gattinger; his children David (Sharon), Nancy-Jean (Bob) Taylor, Robin (Donna), Richard (Hali) and Dean (Sandy); four nephews, one niece; 15 grandchildren; and, 13 great-grandchildren.

Leo was a complicated man who was not always an easy man to live with and had many rough years. He mellowed as he got older but he still was never afraid to tell you what he thought.  His children were encouraged to ask questions, to do what is right, never stop learning: giving them skills, both physical and intellectual, that made them who they are today.

We will miss his annual bedding plants in the spring, fresh honey every year, and his blessings on the meals at family gatherings. He was an avid gardener, beekeeper, and voracious reader. He loved Christmas and Easter. He climbed up his spruce trees well into his 70s to chop the top off for use as a Christmas tree. Dad was always proud as punch that it was from his yard.

He earned a degree in Commerce and a double BA Honours in Russian and German from the U of S. He received two masters degrees from St Andrews College, one in Theology and one in Sacred Theology which enabled him to work as a United Church supply minister for 19 years, until he was 90.

He was an excellent salesman who won several international trips for top sales. He and Nancy had a bee business that produced excellent honey for years. He kept a few hives in his backyard until 2020. He was an artist and a poet. Most of his poems were love poems to Nancy, his wife of almost 67 years. He was involved in various organizations such as the Lions Club and the German Concordia Club.

He loved his family. He will be missed in unique ways by all who knew him.

We wish to extend a special thank you to the staff at Samaritan Place and Dr Okunola for taking such good care of dad in the last year of his life.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions a private family service will be held at the W.A. Edwards Family Centre on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. For those unable to attend, the family invites you to join the service via livestream on Leopold’s tribute page at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.dogguides.com/donate.html.