Erwin Telke

Erwin Telke, age 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 24, 2025, at the Clover House in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

Erwin Telke was born on August 22, 1931, at 03-20-20 W3 (his farm outside of Abbey) to Lydia and Gottfried Telke. He was the youngest of three boys. He went to elementary school in Hoburn, SK. When he first went to school, he didn’t speak any English, only German. He then went to school in Shackleton until grade 10, and then to Outlook Bible School for his grade 11 year. After grade 11, Erwin went home to work. He began with CP Rail, and it wasn’t long before he started farming full-time. He was the epitome of farming. He loved everything about it, especially his cows and horses.

 Erwin met the love of his life, Olive Brawn, when he was 22 years old. They met at the Saturday night dances in Abbey and Shackleton and fell in love. They got married on April 25, 1956. They were married for 69 wonderful years. After they got married, they moved to a farm outside of Cabri, where they lived for a year before they welcomed their daughter, Wendy. They moved to the family farm in 1957 when his parents retired to Medicine Hat. Shortly after that move, they welcomed their son, Wesley (Jim). Erwin continued to work on the family farm and raise his family there, being a huge part of the community. They moved to Cabri in 1996. He was a member of the Legion for many years, attending Legion events, going to provincial curling and golf, for many years.

Erwin and Olive loved to golf. They travelled to Arizona on golfing trips throughout the years. Erwin loved his sports! He was an avid curler, as well as playing hockey, and baseball. Many times, at a young age, he would ride his horse to and from hockey practice, getting lost in a snowstorm, and letting his horse lead him home. He was a member of the Cabri and Shackleton curling clubs, but also attended bonspiels for years. He really loved baseball. It was his favourite. Erwin and his brother went to the Brooklyn Dodgers training camp as pitchers. He played ball for 20 years for Shackleton. He then went on to coach the Pioneer ball team in the late 70’s for around 15 years. There was nothing he loved more than watching baseball; he rarely missed a game, even if his grandkids or great grandkids weren’t playing. He loved watching his grandkids and great grandkids play any sport, from dancing, curling, volleyball, hockey, piano, baseball, and everything in between. No matter the outcome of the game, he would greet each one with a huge smile. You could see how proud he was of each and every one of them.

Erwin is left to mourn by his loving wife Olive; his children and their families, Wendy Carleton; her sons Dustin (Heather) Carleton and their children Jo, Alex, and Braden; Gavin (Camille) Carleton and their children, Katelyn and Matthew, and his son Austin; Troy (Brianna) Carleton and their children Margot and Barrett; Jim (Cindy) Telke; and his children Jordan (Megan) Telke and their children Cooper and Colter; Jacy Telke and her daughter Riley; Jade Telke and her children Tucker and Parker.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lydia and Gottfried; siblings Ottokar and Herfried, and son-in-law, Jim Carleton.

The Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Dustin, Gavin, Troy, Jordan, Jacy, and Jade. The ushers will be Heather Carleton, Camille Carleton, Brianna Carleton, Megan Carlson, and Josh Paul.

We would love to thank the Clover house for the wonderful care he received in his last days.

The Funeral Service for Erwin Telke will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Cabri Legion Hall with Rev. Dr. Greg Kiel officiating.  

In memory of Erwin Telke donations may be made to the Cabri Minor Ball (e-transfer cabriminorball@gmail.com) or Cabri Minor Hockey (e-transfer cabriminorhockey@gmail.com) or cheques (Box 275 Cabri, SK S0N 0J0) would be appreciated by the family.

Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home.  For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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