Obituary of Donald Patrick Elsenheimer

Donald Patrick Elsenheimer, a long time resident of Bonanza, Alberta passed away at home in Audrey's arms on June 13th, 2013 at the age of 78. Don was born on May 29, 1935 in Edmonton, Alberta to Pat and Charlotte Elsenheimer, the eldest of 9 children. Don loved 3 things: kids, animals and peanut butter. He had a unique way of bringing out the personalities of his animals. Whether it was a horse with its nose in his pocket looking for a treat, or a peacock or duck calling out and Don answering back to them. There was always animals around - donkeys, cattle, pigs, chickens, peacocks, pheasants, budgies, doves and multiple other winged creatures. At age 15 Don started driving gravel truck for his Dad in Edmonton. It was also about that time that he spent a short while in Burnaby, BC. Actually, it was only 30 days because he was released early for good behaviour! He returned to Edmonton and worked in various tire shops around the city. Later, he spent several years managing a night club in Brandon, Manitoba. Being a bit of a gypsy, he moved back west to BC, working at a mine in Sparwood, then hauling logs around Houston and Terrace. From there he travelled to Mackenzie where he worked his way up to foreman with Finlay Forest Products. His final move was to Bonanza where he met and married Audrey McCoy and together they raised their three daughters. When Don married Audrey, her family became his family. Don drove water truck for Mel Urness for a few years, then decided to branch out and buy his own truck. This little venture led him to buy two more trucks. Right after buying his third truck, Don was diagnosed with lung cancer and the doctors removed two lobes of his right lung. After recovery he drove the high school bus to Dawson Creek and worked at RNC Sales assembling equipment during school hours. It was one day while Don and Audrey were out doing chores that Grey Diamond's truck was stopped at the side of the driveway with the hood up, Larry was working on it. Audrey continued with the chores while Don went over to see if there was something he could do to help. It was then that Larry asked if he would drive water truck for him. This began many years of working for Larry and Janice Rudy. Don was extremely devoted to his job. Don loved his family. When putting the kids to bed or saying goodnight he would always tell them "I love you more than 10,000 sockeye" and he would always sing to wake the girls up for school in the mornings. He loved his nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He enjoyed helping them with birthday parties, fair entries and Sunday School events. His method of discipline with all the kids when they were misbehaving was to drive past the pig farm real slow with all the windows down. He had a sense of humour right to the end. Never was it safe to leave a camera lying around! He would call into radio classifieds looking to buy a milking goat and give out Sherry's phone number. One year when he was away working and came home for Easter, he told the girls he had run over the Easter Bunny. There was an uproar the next day at Bonanza School when the girls shared this devastating news with their classmates. Don loved music. He had an extensive collection of country and western records and 8 track tapes that most radio stations would envy. He loved his church and was loyal for many years. Don was once again diagnosed with cancer in March of this year and in accordance with his wishes spent his remaining time at home with Audrey. Don was predeceased by his father Pat, his father in law and mother in law Clinton and Harriet McCoy, sister Janice and brother John. He is survived by his mother, Charlotte Elsenheimer, one brother and five sisters, his best friends Ray and Adele Knudson, and his side-kick "Little Dog". Don leaves to mourn his wife Audrey, his daughters Sharon (Keith) Hahn, Sharon (Andrew) Little and Nora Elsenheimer. Grandchildren, Chase and Becky Hahn, Patrick and Amelia Little, Jayden and Kaylee Sadlier, and Kelvin Meinecke. A celebration of Don's life was held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 2:00 pm Alberta time at the Bonanza Hall, Pastor James Bridges officiated. Interment will be at a later date. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Don to Don's Church the Apostolic Lighthouse, 709-96A Ave, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 1M6. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium