Ilse Eva Wohlfarth

Ilse Eva Wohlfarth

A beloved light of life, laughter and love has gone out of our lives.

The family of Ilse Eva Wohlfarth is sad to announce her sudden death by heart attack on October 28, 2019.

Ilse Poehls (better known as Elsie or Oma) was born on April 3, 1932 in Celle, Germany. During her late teens, while attending pediatric nursing school, she met her lifetime sweetheart, Ernst (Ernie or Opa) Wohlfarth. On October 18, 1957 they were married and in April 1959 arrived in their new home – Whitehorse, Yukon. As dreamers and adventurous risk takers, they became Yukon business pioneers, founding The Deli in 1968. Her legacy of love and compassion radiated out from there, touching the lives of many Yukoners and travellers from around the world.

Ilse was involved with many community groups which reflected her wide range of lively interests. She also loved gardening, reading, nature, quilting, taking pictures and was a life-long enthusiastic reader. Ilse enjoyed travelling extensively, especially to her all-time favourite Hawaii.

She is fondly remembered and sadly missed by many, especially her extended family, including: Ernst/Opa, her loving husband of over 62 years; her sister Margret Hornbostel; her children: Ulrike Levins (Blake); Elke Weber (Dave); Karin Wohlfarth; Ralph Wohlfarth (Sandra); Doris Orr (Dave); 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honour to your favourite charity, or to one she was passionate about: the pipe organ rebuild fund at Trinity Lutheran Church:  tlc@northwestel.net

As a founding member of Trinity Lutheran Church, her passion for God and her church community kept her active there until her passing. A celebration of her life is being planned there, with details to follow.

Faith, hope and love – truly the greatest in Ilse’s life was love.