Eva Anne Helene (Poehls) Wohlfarth

“But now faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
– 1 Corinthians 13:13

Ilse Eva Anne Helene Poehls (known as Elsie or Oma) was born on April 3, 1932, in Celle, Germany. Ilse grew up in the harsh prewartime 1930s, then during the war years, in a blended family, as the eldest of three siblings. As her stepfather was away most of the time, Ilse was expected to help out at home. She was also expected to supplement the family income by working for hire to the neighbours’ households as well as in the farmers’ fields.

In her late teens, Ilse graduated from pediatric nursing school. It was there that she met her lifetime sweetheart, Ernst (now better known as Ernie or Opa), through his sister Martha, Elsie’s closest friend for over seventy years.

Ernst Fritz Wohlfarth was born on March 5, 1929, in Gaablau, Germany, which is now a part of Poland. He had an extremely challenging childhood in the Germany of that time. He often dreamed of leaving there to start his own business. After a forced evacuation to West Germany in 1946, with his mother and two siblings, he finished his certification as a butcher/sausage maker.

To celebrate their engagement in the summer of 1957, Ernst and Ilse went to Paris on Ernie’s well-travelled scooter. They married on October 18, 1957, and continued to love one another for a span of 60 years. The life story of Ilse and Ernst Wohlfarth could be summed up in one word—love.

In 1958, they made the decision to leave everything behind in Germany and arrived in their new home in Whitehorse, Yukon, on April 17, 1959. Welcoming them at the airport were Ernie’s sister, Martha and her husband Joe Dendorfer, and their lifelong friends, George and Irmgard Hartmann.

When they arrived in their new home, their eldest daughter, Ulrike, was eleven months old and Elke was born three months later. Karin, Ralph and Doris rounded out their family of five children in a very short five-and-a-half years. In time, they welcomed their sons- and daughters-in-law: Blake Levins, Dave Weber, Yvonne Collins, Sandra Frizzell, and Dave Orr. By their sixtieth anniversary, the family had also grown to include ten grandchildren (Carrie, Michael, Matthew; Jordan, Keanna, Kimberley, Katrina; Conrad, Stephen; and Benjamin) with whom they loved spending time. To the grandparents’ great delight soon four great grandchildren (Emilia, Amie, Aria and Elliott), arrived and visits never seemed often enough.

In the early years, feeding such a large family was a challenge. Ernie would often snare rabbits to add protein to Elsie’s tasty stews. Some nights, milk rice with lots of cinnamon, was supper. One of Elsie’s favorite sayings was, “Life is uncertain, so eat dessert first!”

Nine years of thriftiness followed. There were the challenges of learning English, of finding creative ways of earning money besides Ernie’s regular employment (unloading 100-pound asbestos sacks from Keno Hill), and of trying to save enough money to buy their own home (a boarding house in 1961). Their goal was to start their own deli that they had dreamed of for so many years.

As adventurous risk takers, they used their skills and creativity, to become Yukon business pioneers, founding the Delicatessen Centre (known as The Deli) in 1968—the only European deli in the Yukon. Imported delicacies from around the world filled the shelves, including up to 120 cheeses and, of course, the children’s favorite—Dutch licorice! After so many long hours of hard work and of overcoming business challenges, they were rewarded. Ernie’s much sought-after sausage and smoked delicacies, and Elsie’s legacy of love and compassion, touched the lives of many Yukoners and travelers from around the world. Many people have fond memories of the Deli, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

For relaxation, Elsie and Ernie would go on family drives around the Yukon on Sunday afternoons, and would also spend time with family and friends. They had many shared interests, especially in their retirement years. One was a passion for gardening at their condo, church, community greenhouse and Lake Laberge cabin. They also loved to listen to music and to dance to it! They travelled extensively (particularly to their all-time favorite place—Hawaii). Elsie loved to snorkel and swim in the ocean as well as shop and take countless photos wherever she was. At home, she spent many hours knitting, quilting and doing needlework projects as gifts to family, friends, and for charity.

Elsie was involved with many community groups, which reflected her wide range of interests, and Ernie also loved helping whenever he could. Generous food drop offs to Mary House were made on Saturday nights, and especially on Christmas Eves. As their pastor said, “Oh the Wohlfarths! True Yukoners!” Then she added, “Such wonderful people, so involved in their community.” There was no higher praise for Ilse and Ernst Wohlfarth.

As dedicated founding members of Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC), Elsie’s and Ernie’s passion for God and their church community kept them active until their passing. The last time they were there together, in mid-October, they celebrated their 62nd anniversary. They both loved their second home and family at TLC, and over the years, served many sessions on council. Elsie served often on the group, Lutheran Church Women (LCW), and the music-selection committees, as well as on Braeburn Camp planning committees. For several summers, they even camped out there in their beloved cross-Canada-travelled campervan as Elsie helped with the cooking, and Ernie kept the grounds and did maintenance.

They were both passionate about the first installation of the old Pennsylvania pipe organ at TLC and were devastated when it caught on fire in the summer of 2016. They longed to hear it again and in lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to its rebuild fund.

In their sunset years they leaned on each other. Ilse Wohlfarth succumbed to a heart attack on October 28, 2019. Her loving husband, Ernst Wohlfarth, passed away just over six weeks later, on December 19, 2019.

Two beloved lights so filled with grace, laughter and love.