With many mixed emotions the Aarhus family wishes to announce the passing of their Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather Ewald Aarhus on Wednesday, October 5, 2011. Ewald is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Hilda (Wiebe)Aarhus; his five children Wes and Marie (Gregorchuk) Aarhus; Audrey and Jac (Aarhus) Siemens; Dale and Karyn (Dranez) Aarhus, Edward Aarhus, Lars and Sara (Gregerson) Aarhus; grandchildren Darcy (Darrell), Angela, Colin, Brett (Natalie), Britta (Aaron), Jennifer (Lorne), Jessica (Kyle), Kaitlyn (Greg), Karalee, Joshua, Tristan, Liesl and Sam along with great-grandchildren Brody and Madison. Dad leaves to mourn his brother Aldemar Aarhus, sisters Annie Buhler and Myrtle Giesbrecht. Dad was predeceased by his parents Marie and Knute Aarhus, brother Alvin and wife Leona Aarhus, brothers-in-law John Giesbrecht and Dan Buhler. He was born at home on the homestead in Menisino on October 16, 1929 to Marie and Knute Aarhus. Except for two years, Ewald lived his 81 years on the homestead located at SW2-3-10E, about halfway between Woodridge and Menisino in the RM of Piney. They built a new home in 1974 replacing the original house Knute built in 1918. In 1949 on a trip to Winkler to visit his sister, Myrtle, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Wiebe. They married October 18, 1952 in Winkler, Manitoba then settling with Ewald's parents on the homestead. Mom and Dad then managed to bring five children into the world including Wesley, Audrey, Dale, Edward and Lars. Dad worked the farm with his father, Knute, until when in his early 30's bills needed to be paid and he went to work out. Ewald worked on road construction the next 30 plus years being gone most summers. That left much of the farming to Mom and the children as they kept the place in order. Dad had a heart for animals, especially horses. Many stories have been told about his facing down an angry bull, vicious dog or wild horse. His patience and understanding of animals always amazed us as he settled the animals down then gained their complete trust in very short order. Dad had a love for fiddle music and to polka with mom at the local dances. Over the years dad and mom travelled to many local fairs to watch the horses, listen to fiddle competitions and of course visit with the locals. A story teller at heart who could visit with anyone who would listen, whether in the harness shop at home or at the coffee shop in any community. He was a member of many regular morning coffee gangs, the most recent at Woodridge Inn. He told stories with much passion and as far as we knew they were mostly true. When his eyes would twinkle and his voice get louder we knew that the story was growing or one of the political parties was up to no good. Like his father before him, dad was passionate about his politics both at the local and provincial level. He was elected for two terms as councillor in the RM of Piney. He voted in every election he was able, including the last provincial election, casting his vote in the hospital. We have no doubt that his vote had a blue color to it. He let you know what he thought often being blunt and to the point, one always knew where he stood on the issues. Dad loved it when the kids came home for the weekend to visit. If we hadn't been home for a while he would phone and offer us gas money so we could make the trip. Dad, we will miss you, the stories, your passion for family gatherings and your grandchildren won't get the sugar treats you used to sneak to them. From you we learnt how to love unconditionally and to accept the things we have no control over. The family wishes to thank Dr. Moltzan, Dr. Krahn and nursing staff at the Bethesda Hospital for all the compassionate care shown dad these last days. Viewing will be held on Monday, October 10, 2011 at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach at 7:00 p.m. with devotional at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd, Steinbach, MB, with burial at the family plot in the Norwegian Cemetery in Menisino, Manitoba.