KRAHN, Murray David
1944 - 2017

On November 22, 2017, Murray David Krahn passed away peacefully at the South Health Center after a courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife Carolyn, sister Marion, niece/Goddaughter Cindy Kelly, and his great niece Regan Krieger, all of whom he adored and had the highest respect for. Murray was born January 17, 1944 in Medicine Hat, AB and grew up in Golden Prairie, SK. He was the youngest child to Gustav and Mary Krahn. Although Murray's life took him to other cities, his love of Golden Prairie was undying. He consistently returned to Golden Prairie to visit old friends and specifically the old Sod House, the family homestead. Grandfather along with Murray's parents farmed the land. The home had been built by his grandfather Jacob Reinheller (maternal) in 1917. Murray spent the first few years of his life in this home until his parents moved him and his sister to the great Metropolis of the village of Golden Prairie, where his father worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway and his mother bought and managed the local Cafe. Murray had many wonderful stories relating to his years spent in Golden Prairie. Many of those stories included his cherished bother-in-law Gordon Skiftun. Gordon married Marion when Murray was 12 years old, and quickly became Murray's mentor, best friend, and a true "brother" beyond brother-in-law. That love and adoration continued on up to and including Murray's death. Murray was always so very proud of his Mother (Mom), Father (Daddy), and his big sister.

Murray maintained friendships with many of the people he grew up with in Golden Prairie: Wayne, Stan, Gail, Kenny, Bobby, Jimmy, Gordon, and Elmer. He used to say, "I have known those guys since I was zero.” Murray was thrilled to have had visits with those friends shortly before his passing, and it meant so very much to him.
Murray graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. and a B.Ed. His father told him there would always be a plate at the table for him as long as he was in school, so Murray lived at home with his parents where they ran a boarding home for university students in Saskatoon.

He met and married Rhoda Williams while at university. Murray and Rhoda’s careers took them East where they had two beautiful children, Derek and Carmen Krahn.

Murray transitioned from teaching to, in his eyes, a more grandeur career in the oil and gas industry, which was Imperial Oil “ESSO”. At this stage in his life, Murray met his second wife Lynn Stockton, and together they had Murray’s third child Ryan David.

With a "Tiger in his Tank", he enjoyed a successful career with ESSO for the next 25 years. It was during this time that Murray met the real “Tiger” of his life, Carolyn Mary Ryan. Murray and Carolyn married on June 17, 1989. With his Lady in Red, the party started and they enjoyed 28 years of Fun, Fun, Fun! This was along with a mutual adoration, love, and respect for each other and each other’s values. Murray became attached to Carolyn's family, and had a specific bond with his mother-in-law Rosemary. He told Rosemary he couldn't call her "Mom" because he already had a Mom, but was not comfortable calling her "Rosemary" so he asked her how she was with "Honey Mom.” She loved it, and from that time on, she was "Honey Mom" to him.
Murray’s time with ESSO took him from Ottawa, to Barrie, to Toronto, where he met and made many wonderful life-long friends. Some of his fondest memories were when he golfed, curled, and travelled with his buddies, including “The Old School House Boys.”

Murray was a devoted father. Many weekends were spent leaving Toronto after work on Friday, driving to Ottawa, picking up Derek and Carmen for their weekend visit, and returning back to Toronto on the same night after spending the weekend with them to ensure that his children were exposed to his world in Toronto. Then, he would repeat the trip on Sunday night so the children were back in time for school and he was back in Toronto for work on Monday morning. It was during this time in Murray's life that he met and befriended one of his life time friends, Joan Holben.

During the time Murray and Carolyn lived in Toronto, they spent many hours with friends and family. The two were a wonderful match because they both had a great appreciation for family and friends and both loved entertaining, which was a life style that continued on up to and including Murray's passing. Murray even introduced Carolyn to curling, which she never was any good at but she took great pride in knowing that Murray was always the skip and in most cases always the champion. As Derek and Carmen grew older they were able to make the trip to Toronto and have many memorable weekends with Murray and Carolyn. Murray made so many very close friends in Toronto that it would be impossible to name them all. However, in his final days he was able to talk to them on the phone and did have visits from Debbie, Charlie and Ashley Ostridge, Doug Milne, Gail Martus, and Beverley Ryan.

In 1989 Murray retired from Imperial Oil and Carolyn was offered a transfer to Calgary, Alberta. West bound they went. Murray had a large extended family in the west, including Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, etc. The move west allowed him to spend more time with them. Although Murray had never lost touch with these people he sure enjoyed the opportunity to actually see them more frequently. These visits included many dinners, parties, family celebrations, travel, and of course many hours of card playing.

Murray made many new friends in Calgary, and continued his lifestyle with his now new circle of friends. This included travel, golf, pool, dinners, cards, and discussions about politics and the Stock Market. Murray also joined and participated in a service club called "Progress" of which he was always very supportive.
Now the grandchildren start to come. Derek (Sherrey) Krahn enriched Murray's life with two beautiful granddaughters, Meagan Krahn (1993) and Amanda Krahn (1998). This brought a whole new world to Murray, and a prouder Gampy you could not meet. Meagan was the one who gave Murray the title of "Gampy,” when at 18 months she tried to say Grandpa but it kept coming out as Gampy. The name stuck. Now Murray and Carolyn are making the trip back to Ontario every summer so they can spend precious time with their beautiful granddaughters. Some of those trips included renting cottages again so Gampy could expose his granddaughters to his life style. Amanda made several trips to Calgary to enjoy the Calgary Stampede and spend time with her Gampy and Granny. It was during those visits that Murray became very much aware of the world of cell phones.

Next comes Jack Guadet (2009) and Camden Guadet (2015). Murray rushed back to Ontario so he could be there for Jack's birth. Carmen has many fun stories on how the trip to the hospital went with her Dad in tow. By the time Camden was born Luke and Carmen had moved to Texas so again Murray rushed to Texas so he could be there for the birth, Camden had other ideas and he came early. Murray has always said Camden is his little "Yankee" grandchild. Murray and Carolyn were able to spend over 3 months with Carmen, Luke, Jack, and Camden last winter, and the memories created will last a life time. Carmen had such a special relationship with her father, and she always referred to him as her "Rock.”
When Murray's son David moved west, he met and married Ashley. Having them in the west was huge to Murray because he was able to enjoy frequent visits with them. These visits often included interesting barbequing.

Murray had a very special connection with his nieces Cindy and Tracy. Given Murray was a part of their lives their whole life, the three of them had developed a very special bond. He spent many hours with them as toddlers and watched them grow into the strong, successful women they have become. He also watched them marry and have families of their own.

In Murray's final days he enjoyed visits from all his family members, including his four special people Meagan, Amanda, Jack and Camden. As earlier noted he loved his grandchildren so very much, as did they love their "Gampy.”

Murray knew how very blessed he was to have had visitors in his final days from:
Prince Albert, SK, Yellowknife, NWT, Vidon, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Wasaga, Whitby, Niagra-On-The-Lake, (ONT), Dallas, Texas, Beaumont, Leduc, Bindloss, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Sherbrook, Edmonton and many from Calgary, (AB), Fairmount and Richmond (BC).

This is a true testament to how Murray valued his roots, family, and friends. These visits meant the world to him. It became a ritual for Murray when he woke up in the morning to say, "Who is coming today?" And I was always able to give him a name.

The care Murray received from the Home Care Nurses and Home Care Workers from Alberta Services and We Care was second to none, and this care made the journey so much easier. I, Carolyn, will always be in your debt.

Thanks to Rev Tom Melvin and Father William Monisw for the visits you made to Murray.
Murray will be remembered for many things, but it cannot go without saying his love of black and white movies (TCM), Jazz (specifically the Saxaphone), chocolate, garlic, scallops, Stock Market Prices, and of course old music, will be remembered the most. Charlie, Dean, Frank, Rod, what are you going to do without Murray?

Murray truly was a pure heart, and the man did not know how to have an evil thought nor did he know how to speak ill of other people. Just was not in his demeanor. Frequent quotes Murray would use were "Count your blessings" and "Rise above it, you; be the better person."
Murray, you were loved big, you loved big, and you touched the hearts of anyone that had the privilege of meeting you.

Murray, you were (are) my champion, you were (are) my idol, you were (are) my very bestfriend, and you were (are) the love of my life. However, it goes way beyond that. Love is Love, but what you and I had (have) is much, much more.

I am not sure how I will live without you but I know you will help me find the way. I will "count my blessings" and "I will always Rise above it". Go in Peace and dance the dance. Baby, I love you so very much.
All My Love,
Carolyn.

Memorial Service will be held at Deer Park United Church (77 Deerpoint Rd SE) on Saturday, May 12, 2017 at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Murray's Life will follow at Mahogany Beach Club (29 Masters Park SE).

To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Murray, please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.