Wally and Bernie arrived in Canada on the 9th of June, 1962, from Aistaig in West Germany. This was in the Black Forest. Wally’s parents, Johannes and Hulda Schulz, lived in West Prussia when Wally was born. Prior to that, the family had lived in Bessarabia (Romania), West Prussia and Germany, depending on the political situation.
Bernie’s parents, Maria and Rudolf Kraemer, always lived in Germany in the Black Forest area. As Wally’s dad had previously been to Canada and wanted to return, and Wally also had a brother here, they decided to emigrate to Canada.
Wally and Bernie were married by this time, had an eight-month-old baby and felt there was a better opportunity for them as a young couple here in Canada. So eight days on a ship and a three-day train ride got them to Calgary where the brother already resided.
Right away Bernie got a job as a baker for City Bakery. Since the financial resources at this time amounted to $200 he was pleased to gain employment. He had learned the trade of being a baker/ pastry chef in Germany. Eventually they leased and operated their own bakery in 1964-65. This venture was challenging because neither Bernie nor Wally felt totally comfortable with the English language. They kept this business until 1971 then got their own bakeshop in Lake Bonavista, Calgary. Often Wally was needed to help in the business and the children learned at an early age to be useful, independent workers. Wally and Bernie kept this retail business until 1979 when health dictated a different venture.
Because weekend activities through the years had resulted in a fondness for Canmore and area, they decided to start their business here. Wally arrived on the first of December and ran the Rundle Mountain Motel which they had purchased. After winding up the business in Calgary, Bernie got here on the 21st of June, 1980, a sad memorable day because that was the day their house burned down. Thankfully no-one was hurt and they had a place to stay-in one of the cabins right on the premises.
The family at this time consisted of an older daughter, Gabriele, who received her education in Calgary, and the three younger ones: Angela, Michael and Stephan, who were with their parents in Canmore and went to school here. Thirteen years were spent operating the motel, expanding the business from twenty cabins to what it is today (fifty-seven units, swimming pool, hot pool, banquet room, Gasthaus restaurant). Now it was time for retirement. The children were grown-up. Three are married with families of their own.
Gabriele and her husband, Russ Litun, have three children: Amanda, Brandon and Tammy and reside in Calgary. Michael is married to Sybille and they have a little boy, Steffen. They live in Germany close to where Wally and Bernie grew up. Angela is married to Francis Taman. Their children are Nicole and Emily. They also reside in Calgary. Stephan lives in Calgary also.
Bernie and Wally keep busy: travelling back to see family and friends in Germany, taking excursions. Bernie enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing, and wood carving. He is very active in the Lions Club in Canmore. Wally and Bernie enjoy hiking and camping. Wally takes art classes and enjoys quilting. A favorite place is the lower floor of her home which has fabric, cutting tables, all the quilting equipment. The family benefits from Wally-created projects. A recent interest is the computer.
Canmore is a place they love to be in; this is the place that has been home the longest; they never tire of the beautiful scenery and have no intention of leaving.
Bernie and Wally Kraemer and daughter
Bernie and Wally Kraemer and family, Dec., 1998
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p.148-150.
