Erwin Lewandowski

With sadness and joy, we announce that Erwin Lewandowski passed away quietly and went to be with Jesus on November 19, 2024 at 11 pm at the age of 94 years.

Born June 20, 1930 in Korist, Ukraine to Wilhelm and Olga Lewandowski, he moved with his family to Zleszyn, Poland in 1939. Having fled to Bremen, Germany in 1945, Erwin began his apprenticeship as a mechanic. In 1949, Erwin immigrated along with his mother and sisters to Edmonton, Alberta. There he met Lilly Schmeichel and was married on July 25, 1953. Together they raised three children, Elsie, Doris (Dusty), and Mark.

Although raised in a Christian home, Erwin did not commit his life to Jesus until 1951 at the age of 21 after attending a January revival meeting at Temple Baptist Church in Leduc. He was baptized by Reverend Schatz.

From that time, he wanted his life to be pleasing to God. He wanted to be a man of integrity: honest, hard-working, generous, and kind.

In the 1950’s and early 60’s, Erwin worked as a mechanic at Henderson Motors, Leduc Motors, and Loveseth’s Ltd. From then, he went to operate his own businesses: a gas station (Namao Subway Services); mechanic shops (Crown Auto Electrical, Crown & Triad); an electrical contractor, (Courtesy Electric); and finally Norwood Dairy Queen.

Whether in the neighbourhood or in business, Erwin’s door was always open for mechanical advice or an extra pair of hands to help. Laughter and chatter could always be heard from the garage.

He readily volunteered his time, skills, and small finances to those in need. Very involved in Northgate Baptist Church since its inception, he spent most of his energy with the physical needs of the building and its events. However, he also helped with Christian Service (Boys’) Brigade. He was involved on several boards and committees, but his first love was hands-on work. He helped to with electrical at Camp Caroline and refurbished generators to be sent overseas to Nigeria and Cameroon. He was a faithful helper loading White Cross shipments for Africa, often constructing frames for sensitive medical machinery.

Erwin is predeceased by his beloved wife, Lilly; his parents, Wilhelm Lewandowski and Olga Goltz; his sisters, Milda (Art) Gretzinger, Teresa (Herb) Diewert, and Toni (Art) Ziegler; and is succeeded by his sister, Hildegard (Senno) Krinke; his children, Elsie Lewandowski, Dusty (Mike) Parker, and Mark (Trisha) Lewandowski; his grandchildren, Liam (Rae) and Kalena, and numerous extended family members.

A Memorial Service will be held at Northgate Baptist Church (13208 – 95 St, Edmonton, AB) on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the North American Baptist Conference Cameroonian Chemotherapy Treatments Fund at  nabconference.org/give/special-projects.

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