April 27, 1944 - February 5, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Bodo Elfert on February 5. He died at Lions Gate Hospital one month after being admitted with severe pneumonia and post-Covid symptoms, and likely due to complications from esophageal cancer originally diagnosed and treated in 2015. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Silvia Elfert; children Martin Elfert and Miriam Elfert (Bob); and grandchildren Rylee (Rami), Dwight, Dante, and Paloma. Bodo was predeceased by his parents Emmi (1980) and Ernst (1981), and his younger sister Sigrid Saatmann (2018).
Born in former East Germany (now Poland) where he lived for the first 10 years of his life, Bodo then moved with his family to West Germany (North Rhein Westfalia) and settled in Dortmund. He worked for the German postal service for 16 years, which is where he met Silvia who was working as a letter carrier. They married in 1971 and raised their two children in Dortmund until they immigrated to BC in 1977. Bodo got a job at Pope and Talbot sawmill in Midway and was trained as a lumber grader; he worked there until he retired in 2006. Bodo and Silvia lived for over 35 years in the Boundary/Okanagan area (Greenwood, Midway, Summerland) before moving to the Lower Mainland in 2013.
Bodo was a very strong person, both physically and mentally. He was an extremely industrious, dependable, and proud man who worked hard to provide for his family. Bodo was proud of his children and his grandchildren and loved spending time with them. Fond family and childhood memories include wheelbarrow rides in the yard; swimming, water play, and suntanning by Okanagan lakes; skiing at Mt. Baldy, Easter egg hunts, beachcombing; and watching action movies. Bodo also enjoyed spending time with Silvia's extended family, playing cards, eating meals, and travelling to places like the Rockies, California, Nevada, and Europe.
Bodo possessed numerous talents and interests. Although not professionally trained as a hairdresser and home handyman, he was skilled at cutting his own and family members' hair and also at building and fixing everything around the house. Bodo also did professional wedding and graduation photography in the Boundary area for a number of years. Bodo enjoyed listening to music and was a guitarist in a band in his early twenties.
Bodo loved soaking up the sunshine, gardening, a delicious meal, and getting a good deal, particularly on an item of clothing. Bodo was a very stylish dresser and took pride in his appearance. He was a handsome, youthful man. We mourn his passing and feel his absence deeply.
Bodo/Dad/Opa: we hope that you have found a comfortable lounge chair set up in the sunniest spot possible, that you are enjoying a sumptuous feast, and that you are now at peace. You deserve your rest as you had a sometimes hard but good life.
We love you with all our hearts always.