Herbert Kornelsen
July 29, 1950 – July 2, 2025
Herbert Jake Kornelsen, was born on July 29, 1950 in Watrous, SK, the son of Mennonite immigrants, Jacob and Gertrude (Klassen) Kornelsen. The family lived in Watrous for the next 10 years and then moved to an acreage on the east edge of town. Herb’s faith in God began in his home and was nurtured as he attended the Bethany Mennonite Church, where he was baptized as a young man. Later Herb, Ruth and their family chose to go to the Philadelphia Church where they still attend.
As a teen, Herb’s keen interest in vehicles and motors was obvious, and he began spending a lot of time at his dad’s business, Acme Service (Chrysler and Dodge sales, automotive repair and towing). Some of his buddies would join him there, working on their own cars so they were “race ready”. Some racing happened at the stock car track at Manitou Beach, but more happened anywhere they could find a stretch of gravel or pavement to put the motors to the test. Herb began working at Acme for pay at age 18, and at age 21 Herb purchased his half of the business from his dad’s partner. He enjoyed towing and often went out of his way to help stranded motorists and get them going on their way as soon as possible. Herb continued to operate Acme Service with his dad until 1991 when his dad retired. Ruth purchased Jake’s half of the business and took over the bookkeeping. In 2015, Herb retired and the business was eventually sold.
Herb loved community and made friends wherever he was – at church, at his business, watching and playing sports – Oldtimers hockey, Minor Ball, slow-pitch, golfing, curling. He willingly volunteered his time and skills for many events. At church ushering was a good fit for him and, in his younger years, he served with the Volunteer Fire Department. Most recently he enjoyed tuning up bikes for the Lanigan and Watrous thrift stores.
In his 20s Herb courted and then, in 1976, married a local farmer’s daughter, Ruth Wiebe. They first rented an empty farmhouse on Herb’s uncle’s farm, and in 1977 built a house in Watrous which is still their home. Herb and Ruth were blessed with three children: Ben, Jocelyn and Angela. After the children were born there was a marked change in Herb’s driving habits. It was all about safety now. He loved being a dad and would watch as much of his kids’ sports and music as he could, and he spent time with them playing board games, canoeing and snowmobiling. The family took many camping trips and also road trips to Kelowna to visit grandparents making great memories along the way.
But the best was yet to come, and that was being a Grampa. We called Herb the “baby whisperer” because he was so calm with babies that they would snuggle in his arms and fall asleep. He played, wrestled, taught, and just hung out. Many wonderful memories were made at home and at the cabin. The grandkids have said he drove the boat “crazy”, but he’d say “not really. How fast can you really go with only 40 horsepower?”
Herb is predeceased by his parents Jake and Gerda, his infant brother Victor, his parents-in-law John and Katie Wiebe, and his brother-in-law Craig Hollands.
He leaves to mourn his wife Ruth, son Ben (Cherie), daughter Jocelyn (Dustin) Curtis, and daughter Angela (Ryan) Bushman: his grandchildren Liam K, Gabrielle K, Austin C, Lincoln C, Cora B, Colton B, Adric B, Annabelle B. He is also survived by his brother Garry (Carolynne) and sister Lillian (Allan) Patkau, and by Ruth’s siblings, Rod (Ronda) Wiebe, Marlene Wiebe, Marilyn Enns, Amy Hollands, Stan (Renita) Wiebe, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service for Herb was held on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from Watrous Civic Centre, Watrous, SK, officiated by Pastor Darren Hollands. Inurnment followed at Bethany Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Herb can be directed to MCC Saskatchewan-Thrift or Town of Watrous-Fire Department.
This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home & Crematorium
Phone: 682-1622