I was unable to make it to Opa’s funeral, but I have some pictures of it to share. I will be visiting Edmonton around Christmas time, so I’ll be able to be with my family from there at that time.
My Dad giving the eulogy.
The pallbearers, which include my brother and cousins. From left to right, they are: John, Isaac, Andrew, Matthew, Mark and Peter.
Family and friends at the burial.
The grave marker. “September 27, 2009″ will be engraved below Helmut shortly.
Below is the eulogy my Dad gave. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting. 
Good afternoon,
For anyone who doesn’t know me, my name is Edward Hoyer and Helmut Hoyer was my father.
I want to say a few words in memory of my dad. To most of you here, he was known as “Brother Hoyer” and to others especially those in the business world, he was known as “Ed”.
My father was born on May 06, 1921 in Wirballen, Lithuania which is located in Northern Europe. He was the youngest of four brothers; there was Ewald, Franz, Walter, and my dad as well as two sisters, Wanda and Meta.
Dad’s life as a child and young person in Lithuania at that time was relatively pleasant. Dad had a great family and good friends.
In his teenage years, Dad became a barber by profession, learned a bit of english in school, sang in the Lutheran Men’s Choir and while attending the Deutshe Mittelschule, he and a friend were known as the Table Tennis or Ping Pong, Champs in the area.
As with most people in that era, the 2nd World War changed his life in many ways. Because of his German background, he had to leave his home country and was serving as a German Soldier in a war he disagreed with and under a leader he despised. God in his mercy protected him and brought him through without a scratch.
In 1952 he set his eyes on immigrating to Canada. It just happened that on the same ship a young lady was also headed west with her relatives, and Dad had his eye on her as well.
This young lady was Wilma, and they were married on July 8 1953 and over the next few years had three wonderful children, Miriam, Edward, and Edna.
Growing up we had a happy home and I have many good memories of Dad and the things we used to do together. He always put his children first. When I think back, Dad was always in a good mood even when things weren’t going so well. Dad loved to go fishing and hunting and also putts around at home. We had a nice acreage with a large two story cabin that was our recreational spot. It was two hours west of Edmonton where we always had a great time on the weekends, and many friends and believers came to visit with us there.
I believe it was in February of 1953 at the Central Baptist Church on 97th street here in Edmonton that Dad’s life as a born-again Christian started. Then in the early part of 1970 our family came to know God in a far greater way when we heard about a 20th Century Prophet and the Rapture Message that he brought.
Dad’s life and all of our lives were never the same after that. Dad and Mom raised us to know the Lord and we thank them for that.
This afternoon we are not sad that Dad is gone home. Of course we will miss him, but are not sad because we know that he now enjoys the Eternal Bliss that awaits all those that love the Lord.
On behalf of the family, I would like to thank each one for your prayers, your kind words and for coming out to be with us today.
God Bless you all.
