June 25, 1927 – May 1, 2020

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ignatz August Luken on May 1, 2020 at the age of 92, in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Ignatz was born in Gronheim, Germany on June 25, 1927 to Heinrich and Frieda Luken and was the fourth of 13 children.  He spent his formative years in Cloppenburg, after the war Ignatz immigrated to Canada and settled in the Fairview area with his family.  In 1959, Ignatz married the love of his life, Maria Magdalena Krug, they had five children.  He was a devote catholic and a long term member of the Knights of Columbus.  During his lifetime he worked in a variety of professions including sawmilling for HR&N, as a milkman with Red Cap Dairy, a butcher at Super A grocery store and finally in the maintenance department of the Fairview Hospital.

Ignatz loved his family very much and enjoyed socializing with all of his extended family.  He was very artistic whether it was woodworking, carving, drawing, painting or playing instruments.  He was a nature lover and spent most of his spare time in his garden or working in the yard, enjoying wildlife, hunting, training his dog Red, taking nature walks (especially in Jasper) and was often found defending the swallows from the sparrows in the backyard.

Ignatz is survived by his wife Maria and children; Marty, Maria Young, Clem (Sue nee, Przybylski), Fran Primeau (Scott) and Jason, grandchildren; Nick (Katy), Kelsey (Cory), Mitchell (Nisha), Jill (James), Aaron, Sabrina (Doug), Mandi, Kristian, Addison and Samantha, great-grandchildren; Mila, Layne, Bennett, Palmer, Katelyn and Brooklyn, siblings; Agnes Breunig, Paula Thoma (John), Fr. Aloys Luken OMI, Hubert Luken (Diane), Martha Pfoh (Alphonse), and in-laws; Lisbeth Krug, Liz Luken and Denise Luken.  Ignatz was also adored by many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ignatz is pre-deceased by his parents Heinrich and Frieda, as well as siblings; Maria Luken, Alfons Luken (Agnes), Otto Luken, Elli Samson (Hubert), Erna Newman (William), Joseph Luken and Henry Luken, in-laws; Hubert Krug (Stephie), Conrad Krug, Hilda Schulzek (Helmut) and Tony Breunig.

Viewing will be held at Fairview’s Bear Creek Funeral Home Sanctuary (11130 101 Ave, Fairview) on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 from 10am-1pm. Please be aware we will be limited to 15 people in the sanctuary at a time but will make sure those who want to pay their last respects to Ignatz will be accommodated. We ask in lieu of a Prayer Service please have a moment of silence Monday May 4th, 2020 at 7:00pm.

The Funeral Service will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Fairview, Alberta, Tuesday May 5^th, 2020, at 2:00 pm by Fr. Isidore Onyeka OMI.  Pallbearers: Marty, Clem, Jason and son in-law Scott; Honorary Pallberarers: Grandchildren.  Due to Covid-19 and the Canadian Quarantine Act the Funeral and Graveside Vigil will be closed for immediate family only and flowers cannot be accepted.  In lieu of flowers, please plant a flower in Ignatz’ memory.  If so desired, donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Thank you to Fr. Isidore Onyeka OMI and the St. Thomas More Catholic Church for accommodating the family, it would have meant so much to him to have a Catholic C+Service in his home town church.  Thank you to the GP Care Center, Heritage Lodge and all of their staff for the genuine care both Ignatz and Maria have received for so many years.  Thank you to the Bear Creek Funeral Home for expediting this process and allowing the family to focus on what’s important during this time.  Thank you to all of our extended family, everyone has been so supportive, not only during this difficult time but throughout our entire lives helping us to grow into the people we’ve become and thank you Dad!

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com.

• Date : 2020-05-01
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

1. Add to favourites