Karl Heinz Wubbenhorst

Indelibly etched on the memories of those who knew him for a lifetime or a season, Karl Heinz Wübbenhorst peacefully departed this life on November 30, 2025, aged 95, at Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary. Born June 14, 1930, in Wismar, Germany, to Anton and Hildegard (Ahnert) Wübbenhorst, Karl was the second eldest of six children. After escaping East Germany, he emigrated to Canada in 1951, working as a forester and in pulp mills in Northern Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. In 1968 he joined Scott Paper’s Abercrombie Point mill, rising to foreman and later production supervisor.

Karl married Vera Stroud (née MacDonald) in April 1973. Their daughter Karla soon joined Vera’s son, Owen, and the family settled in Pictou Landing. Happy memories from this time include ocean swims, exposure to nature, culture and learning, thoughtful gifts and the practice of hospitality. The late ’80s and ’90s brought early retirement, a short career in sales, German reunification—which allowed for many return trips to Wismar—divorce, and a new commitment to health and fitness.

In 2004, at 74, Karl moved to Calgary. Though his life was silent, due to hearing loss, and rather solitary, Karl loved Calgary. He was free from responsibilities and could live as he liked, walking the Plus 15s and riding the routes and rails of Calgary Transit, attending share-holder meetings and travelling with Karla to Hawaii, Croatia, Orkney, Iceland, Morocco, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Baltic Capitals. Always a thoughtful and painstaking letter-writer, Karl now embraced email and Facebook in his 80s.

Karl enjoyed remarkable physical and mental strength until his final year, indeed his final hours. Though 2025 brought physical decline, it also brought joy: a visit from his dear brother Dirk and niece Mercedes, a 95th birthday bash, new friendships with caregivers and hospital roommates, and Karla’s permanent move to Alberta. Deep thanks are extended to Heather, Psyche, Harpreet and Layla of All About Care (AHS CDHCI); to his cleaner, Olena; to Dr. Manisha Subedi (GP) and Dr. Geoffrey Gotto (prostate); and to the Safeway Westbrook pharmacy staff. The excellent care he received at Foothills in March made Karl’s final admission there feel like a homecoming. Karl’s passing was lovingly attended by Karla, whom he had come to regard as his trusted prime minister, his greatest accomplishment, his joy and solace.

Early on the first Sunday of Advent, Karl’s earthly life ended in the sure and certain hope of the heavenly dawn. He was predeceased by his parents; his elder brother Gunter (1946); his sisters Helga (Helmut) Luethi (1974), Hanna (Peter) Tilsen, and Erika (Hans) Mirr; and by his former wife and continuing friend, Vera (2024). He is survived by his daughter Karla; his brother Dirk (Anne) Wübbenhorst; his nephew Tom (Dawn) Luethi (Breton, AB); many nieces, nephews, and cousins both in Germany and among his former in-laws, including Calgary-based nephew Dana (Barb) MacDonald, and former sister-in-law and friend Nancy (David) Montgomery (Virginia, USA). Karl retained friends from his working days at Scott Paper, and shared many of Karla’s friends, mostly ministers.

A service of thanksgiving and praise to God for Karl’s life will be held at St. Giles Presbyterian Church (1102 23 Ave NW, Calgary) on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00am, with the Rev. Dewald Delport officiating. The livestream is available at youtube.com/live/4yNU3zX1DN4.  A further service will be held in Nova Scotia c. June 14, 2026, in conjunction with the burial of ashes at Greenwood Cemetery, Pictou Landing.

In lieu of flowers and to honour Karl’s career in forestry and love of nature, trees can be planted in his memory at memorialtree.com; or to honour his life-long promotion of good financial education and habits, donations can be made to CAP Canada at capcanada.org/donate.

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