Hugh Darwin Krips

Hugh Krips Obituary

Hugh was born in 1939 in Provost, Alberta to Darwin and Bertha (Felker) Krips.  He spent the first few years on the family farm in Provost close to his mom’s relations who farmed there as well.  A brother Wayne followed in 1942.  They moved back to the home farm at Tako in 1944 and attended Queenston school until 1949.  Hugh continued his schooling in Unity when the farm was rented out and his Dad and Uncle Karl had the IHC dealership.  He finished high school in Unity in 1958 the same year his mom passed away from breast cancer.  In 1960 he went to SAIT in Calgary getting his radio operators license and then taking a business diploma.  He often told stories about staying in a boarding house in Calgary during that time and the antics they would get up to.  He enjoyed his time there and worked for IHC in the Calgary office for several years.  He attended U of S in 1967 receiving a Diploma in Agriculture and moved home to farm along side his dad and brother.  He made many lifelong friends while at U of S and enjoyed going to the reunions to meet up with friends.  He married Celine Senecal in 1973 in Edmonton, AB after having met at a mutual friend’s wedding.   Celine moved to the farm and continued teaching as she had been.  Two girls were born, Nicole and Natasha.  Hugh and Wayne divided the farm operation and Hugh continued to farm on his own until he had a heart attack and rented the land to his neighbour and friend Neil Heather.  He passed his love of agriculture and animals to his children and enjoyed when his grandpups visited in his later years.  When Wayne and Mildred tragically passed away he took his nephews Ian and Darwin under his wing and was able to spend time with them over the years and enjoy them along with their wives and children. 
    Community was important to Hugh and many an evening was spent at the Tako hall enjoying time with his neighbours dancing and visiting or playing cards.  Hugh was an intellectual at heart and could be found having deep discussions and debates anywhere he went.  He enjoyed visiting friends and neighbours and hours were spent around the dining room table, many times late into the night.  He was involved in the National Farmers Union and the NDP, having made many friends and attending events, including in his youth when it was still the CCF.  He traveled many miles with his friend Jim Loadman going to meetings and meeting with people.  He was dedicated to lobbying for change, believing that we should be caring for all members of society regardless of who they were.  He could be found having a conversation with those who were lonely or down on their luck and never judged; he believed in a hand up.

Hugh liked to talk travel and was interested in trains along with his friend Walter Leeson and many discussions were had about where they could take a trip to by train.  He travelled to see his mom’s half-brother, Uncle George Ralph, in Victoria B.C. several times and enjoyed the trip and the chance to eat more genuine Chinese Food in China town.  He was endlessly interested in learning and other cultures and was known to ask embarrassing questions of people, out of genuine curiosity and interest, not in judgement. He was one of kind and could always be counted on for an interesting conversation or debate. 

Hugh was predeceased by his parents Darwin and Bertha Krips, step-mom Nellie Krips, brother Wayne, sister-in-law Mildred, in-laws Leo & Jeanne Senecal.  To carry on his memory are his loving wife of 52 years, Celine; daughters: Nicole (Cory) and Natasha; nephews Ian (MJ) and Darwin (Crystal); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and cousins.

The family would like to thank the nurses, care aids and dietary staff at the Unity Hospital for the excellent care he received during his stay.  Special mention to Dr. Lyle Williams who Hugh had great respect for and was so patient and kind to him during his time in palliative care.  Hugh was cared for by the Kerrobert Community Funeral Home for which he had been a long-time member of the association and believed in the non-profit model that it operated under.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Unity Food Bank or the Unity Hospital Auxiliary. 

As per Hugh’s request there will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date this summer. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hugh Darwin Krips, please visit our floral store.