09/29/2025
In Loving Memory ~ Ervin Edwin Bossert
Lived 93 Years, 1932~2025
A Celebration of Ervin's life will be held on Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at the Hanna Community Hall.
Obituary~Ervin Bossert was born February 24, 1932, to Albert and Wilhelmina Bossert. He passed away September 27, 2025. He is brother to: Ida, Ruby, Doreen, Shirley, Betty and Herbert. The family lived near Scapa, attending school there until grade 4. Ida and Ervin often talked about walking to school from the farm. After a family move south of Endiang he attended the Annashhiem School until grade 9, then helped his father on the farm as well as renting land from a neighbour.
In 1956 Ervin purchased his own land. In 1964 Ervin married Thelma Clark from Rosebud. A new house was built and married life began.
Ervin planted cereal crops as well as hay, all equipment was J.D. green. He enjoyed working the land well into his 80’s, always interested in how the crop looked and what they yielded. He raised Charlais cattle and always a horse on the farm. He enjoyed and was eager to help neighbors with working of cattle and roping at brandings. Even after his herd was sold, he took great pride in watching his grandchildren show and sell their 4-H cattle. Ervin watched proud as his children followed in his footsteps.
In the 1960’s and 70’s Ervin played in the “Country Drifters Band”, consisting of Ken Halverson, Harold Butler, Herb Pfahl, Herb Bossert and himself. Many memories of sitting in front of the radio with a pen and paper listening to the lyrics of a new song and writing them down so the band could learn them. Ervin played music by ear, so when his children started playing piano, guitar and drums, he was eager to pull out his guitar or banjo and play along. Many friendships were formed over music and many evenings spent with friends having jam session. I do recall one story… Ervin and Thelma were attending a Christmas party and he took his banjo along to have a jam session. Unknown to him some of the Nickelback band was in attendance. He was pleasantly surprised and said, “Those boys can really play!”
Ervin and Thelma became very involved with the Scapa community helping organize dances, Christmas concerts, reunions, ball tournaments, horseshoe tournaments. Cards were played, crib, five hundred, canasta with family and friends. They encouraged all their children to participate. Dad, with encouragement from mom was known to dress up. Ervin and a few of his friends became a bathing beauty for a fashion show and a woman for Halloween. He could tell a good joke and pull a good prank. Dad enjoyed rodeo and attended many. Family was important and many weddings and reunions were attended. They enjoyed travelling and we’re fortunate to travel to Nashville, Las Vegas, North Dakota, British Colombia and Hawaii.
Ervin was a builder and fixer. He took up wood working, A new barn in his yard, bunk beds for grandchildren, coffee tables, desks, shelves, churned out wood bowls and vases on his lathe. His biggest accomplishments being his horse drawn buggy and the rebuilding of his Model A Car.
Ervin is survived by his loving wife Thelma and their children: Patti (Phil), Kevin, Todd (Melanie); grandchildren: Erin (Mason), Robyn (Tyler), Shanna (Brett), Cayden, Tayslin (Austin), Breanne (Brayden) and Willow; great grandchildren: Casey, Clarke, Ben, and Hayes; step-grandchildren: Theresa (Danny) Joseph and Timothy, Jill (Steve) and Torie, David, Autumn and Jace, Sandra (Nick) and Lucy. He is also survived by all his sisters, many extended family, neighbours and friends.
Dad you are loved, cherished and will be missed. Happy trails to you…until we meet again.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, 2:00 p.m., at the Hanna Community Centre. A private interment will take place at St. Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery.
If desired, donations in memory of Ervin can be sent directly to either: The Hanna Ladies Auxiliary, Box 23, Hanna, AB, T0J 1P0, The Heart and Stoke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 RD PK SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2N9, or the Canadian Cancer Society, https://cancer.ca/.
Hanna Funeral Services Ltd. was entrusted with the care and arrangements, 403-854-5956, www.hannafuneral.ca.