Karl Toerper, resident of Grande Prairie/Clairmont, AB, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, at the age of 92 years.

Karl was born and raised in Northmark, AB, to Otto and Minna. He was the second of 4 boys. He began his education at the Northmark school and travelled there on foot or horse, and according to Karl it was uphill in both directions. After attending Northmark school, Karl started high school in Spirit River, AB, but decided to pursue mechanic training instead.

It was obvious from the beginning that Karl loved driving, whether it was horses, tractors, or trucks, and had a passion for equipment and sawmills. Throughout life, these interests resulted in Karl hauling grain, seed, fertilizer, gravel, animals, logs, buildings, and his sawmill around the Peace Country.

In 1955, Karl married the love of his life Doris Jordan and together they went on to have 4 children. With a partner by his side, their life flourished. In 1970, Karl and Doris moved to the acreage south of Grande Prairie. Karl, not one to bother packing, moved the whole house.

As the years passed, Karl’s log trucks got larger, the logs that were sawn became oversized logs, and the building moves became more challenging, including moving a house across the Dunvegan bridge with inches to spare. The last building Karl helped move was the Northmark church where he worked with friends and family to put the church on a new foundation.

Semi-retirement brought a passion for draft horses and antique tractors which resulted in many great friendships. Winters were spent in the shop building projects that he had designed in his head for years.

Karl and Doris continued to live on the acreage and the family expanded, first with 14 grandchildren, then with 25 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-granddaughter. Karl and Doris remained on the acreage until they moved to Clairmont in 2019.

Through everything, Karl’s love for and pride in his family was always evident.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 68 years Doris; brother Heinz Toerper; sister in-law Alice Chrenek; brother in-law Lester Jordan; daughter Linda Bohnke (Len), and their children: Nicole Perry (Chris), Aaron Bohnke (Shauna), Jody Teed (Ashton), and Tracy Monfette (Pat); daughter Marlene Unger (Glen), and their children: Lacey Houseworth (Dwayne), Terri Unger (Chad), Wendy Unger (Chris), and Jessica Airth (Andrew); son Mel Toerper (Lisa), and his children: Nick Toerper (Sherri) Travis Toerper (Taylor), Amanda Toerper, and Cody Toerper (Jordan); daughter Karen Walsh (Chris), and their children: Megan Airth (Riley), and Kevin Walsh (Kennedy). He also leaves 25 cherished great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-granddaughter; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and many great friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 2:00pm, at Elks Hall in Grande Prairie (10806 106 St.).

Memorial Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.