Emil Walter Denham
April 25, 1935 – Jan. 26, 2025

Emil Walter Denham was born to Cecil William Denham and Jonina Gudrun Buason on April 25, 1935, at Wynyard, Sask. He passed away peacefully at home at age 89.

Emil was predeceased by his wife of 64 years Myrna Rae Brown in 2021, his father Cecil in 1990, his mother Jonina in 2001, sisters Donaldene in 1930, Lorraine in 1987, Lorna in 1973, twin brother Earl in 2004 and bother John in 2011, as well as son-in-law Lorne Speight in 1983.

He is survived by his daughter Jonina Rimmer (John), son Daryld (Karen), daughter Laura Lee Speight, and son Darren (Kim); eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; as well as five sisters, six brothers and numerous nieces and nephews.

Emil was born during difficult times and started working in his youth in rural northeastern Saskatchewan. He moved to Alberta in 1953 when his older brother Hugh, who was working seismic near Hinton, came home for a visit. When Hugh returned to Alberta, Emil travelled with him and began working in the oil patch as well. In 1956, he met Myrna Rae Brown in Sundre, and they were married in Innisfail, Alta., in 1957.

Emil was a man who valued hard work and entered a variety of business ventures over his lifetime. While managing Cushing Bridge Service in Calgary on busy 17th Avenue in the early 1960s he was hit by a drunk driver and pinned between a tow truck and a vehicle he was hooking. His femur bones were broken in both legs and he was comatose for some time. That seems to be enough to signal the end of that chapter of his life. Following that, Emil moved the family to Winfield and then Rimbey where he operated Winfield Transport. In 1967, the family moved back to Calgary where Emil continued trucking until he and his twin brother Earl began Denham Brother’s Contractors. The Denham family moved to Caroline in 1969, and Denham Brother’s Contractors began to do contract work for Domtar, supplying them with the various sizes of posts. Upon divesting himself of that business, he trucked for a short time and then invested in and began managing and directing the Caroline Hotel. In this, Emil found his true niche in life. Being the social person he was, he found immense enjoyment running the hotel and bar. You could probably set your clock by Emil’s daily arrival in the cafe for breakfast and every evening at happy hour for a beer.

He loved curling and sometimes liked to reminisce about his eight-ender. He was rightfully proud of that. He loved visiting and made new friends wherever he went. He loved a friendly bet — especially when he won. He was proud of his kids and grandkids and appreciated each one for their individual uniqueness. Emil has missed Myrna every day since she passed. Therefore, at Emil’s request, to honour Myrna, there will be a small family gathering in keeping with the same vein of funeral as was held for Myrna, who passed away during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Emil’s family would like to express sincere gratitude to Rocky Mountain House Home-care staff and Amy Rainville Bellemore NP of the Moose and Squirrel Medical Clinic for the wonderful care he received and for the guidance and support given to the family. Thank you also to Laurie, Nancy and staff at the Rocky Funeral Home.
Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.

Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.