Karl WJ Priesemann

The love of Wanda Maria Steeves life for 43 years has passed on to be with our lord, on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Karl (RED)WJ Priesemann, passed away peacefully at FMC 6:01am, in my arms, wrapped in my kisses, with “Stairway to Heaven” on.  On All Saints’ Day after an incredibly traumatic injuries to his colon. I believe Karl would have had a tear, he was septic shock, he had 2 falls & he never complained, he couldn’t articulate his suffering. 

Karl also suffered from dementia for at least 15 years, Covid intensified his anger & dementia. Keeping Karl calm was very difficult, working with Calgary Police Service (Officer Tim ) giving me support was invaluable. Thank you for your kindness & understanding. We did it sir!

Thank you to all who cared for Karl & supported me in the worst moment of our life. We gave Karl peace, with no pain…finally. Especially the nurses were outstanding in ICU pod A, Unit 36 FMC

Karl was born a whopping 10lbs, to Barb & Karl Senior on Jan 21, 1958. He grew up in Kamloops BC, fishing & hunting. He loved to fish, it was his passion, next to finishing.

Karl never had a TV growing up, so the outdoors was his playground.

He was a pro fisherman, who loved to guide new friends to fishing spots, & when his back allowed him to, he would tie custom flys. You could often find Karl at Grotto Pond, fishing that huge brown trout, it took 10 years to catch him, but he did. An ALBERTA record!

He loved a great party with his friends, family, SCI-FI, Star Trek lover and NCIS he was quoting the episodes in the end.

He was gentle and kind to all, but if you came for those he loved. You met a fist of steel, he was incredibly strong, but gentle as a lamb with those he loved.

Karl retired as a Construction Superintendent in 2010, he was a pro fisherman, who knew the secrets, loved to cook, eat, debate, and master draftsman Karl loved to draw, & was extremely gifted a redesigning dozens of homes, condos, restaurants, chalets and so much more.

 

WORK HISTORY

As a teenager Karl was sent to work in a fish factory at 16, he loved it.

Karl drove long haul Semis through the mountains,70s, 80s, hauling rides & later grain, most of his life. Until I became ill, he committed his life to building, to be with me.

Karl had his own contracting business KP Contracting. He often reached out to vulnerable seniors, ensuring that they got the best prices. He would inspect properties for free.

He drew blueprints, so quickly, for friends for free.

Even the Architects were amazed, because he was so precise, they would say, “yeah Karl’s here, we know it’s done right”.

Karl was a jack of all trades, he memorized everything. So building was his life, he loved finishing…Karl believed in working side by side with his men, he paid for it, physically, but that was who he was, a working man- a leader.

As a wife, I was constantly helping him achieve his greatness, despite me being very ill for 25 years, I’d push him. We supported each other’s goals. He cared for me, with no complaints, EVER.

I’m glad I did, I encourage wives to do it.

DEVELOPERS

Thank you ?to Sam/ Lorraine Bogusolviski from Sable Developments, this man treated Karl/ I so well, I’m so happy we met you both. Thank you for keeping your word Sam, Karl loved his crew.

Sam is a developer, that loved my husband’s work. They did 6 or 7 buildings together. He enjoyed it so much. I’m noticing that their work still stands.

Only an injury broke up this duo.

But after his injury he moved on as a construction supervisor for Brad Remington Home, Cardel Life Style’s, Building Coventry Landing, Karl designed the light house, finished the first building. He ran the largest active job site 2006/07 in Canada at that time, no injuries, and trades built quickly, with quality, efficiently & SAFELY, more importantly to him, was safety of his crew

Spring Creek Mountain Village (Frank Kernic) in Canmore Ab, Karl (was a construction superintendent) brought the 2/3 building for Frank in 2007 out of the ground in winter, in less then 7 months. Just amazing to see. When Frank’s beautiful dad passed away. Karl grabbed the crane crew, attached to the crane was a huge Canadian Flag, Mr Kernic’s dad was a war vet, he wanted to acknowledge his service. It hung right over the memorial hearses. That was how thoughtful he was. While beautiful in Canmore, I started to deteriorate so back to Calgary.

Karl was hired Assured Developments, they had their roof on backwards, even I knew something wasn’t right as we walked in, inspecting. He fixed it for them.

Then 2008, the fall. In 2008 we lost everything, as Karl spine deteriorated.

All of these developers won awards in the building industry for the quality of workmanship. Trades are not acknowledged the way they should be. They are the life’s blood to our growth as city & country. They should be acknowledged. They sacrifice their bodies.

Many private investors sought Karl out. Karl was highly respected by the city of Calgary’s inspectors, Architects & all the men & woman whom were trades that worked side by side with him. He taught many young tradesmen, his tricks & passion for finishing projects. He loved giving families homes in Calgary.

To all his buddies, he loved you. If he, as crew said “ Good Morning Sunshine” you knew he cared for you.

SECURITY

In the late 1990’s Karl started doing security, we both worked festivals. There was a festival in high river, 3 days. Karl being a big guy was security for Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Ray Charles- whom he said was so kind to him.

He guarded Celine Dion & Anne Murray, they had trailers on a hill, so Karl was in a bug infested, weed filled ditch, poor guys all got food poisoning. (I snuck around, went into catering, and stole all the sandwiches, for the stage crew, who baked in the sun, lol). But he was guarding Anne specifically, because she had an aggressive stalker her entire life, Anne Murray. That year, he was let outta of jail, we were notified too late, almost 12 hours after he got out of prison. Well, he came to the event, our security had no idea who he was. He got in the back! Our security didn’t recognize his face. However, Karl did, as he stared at Anne Murray’s trailer, Karl, saw his face & bolted down the hill. Security let him in right, so they let him out. I found out later she had a huge reward out to catch him again.

Meanwhile I’m out front, security tightened aggressively to protect Anne Murray. I knew something was wrong and I bolted into the back, to check on him.

No one told Anne Murray. She was amazing & funny.

He also did security for Green Day, (rock concerts) drummer kept hitting Karl in the head, whipping his drumsticks. So he signed a few, Karl grabs them…lol, if an artist gives you something you can accept it, you can not ask for perks.

CARNIVAL

Karl started on that crazy Baron Curve ride in 1978, the stories, well just crazy. 

Karl loved working for Chino/Leslie it was his first loving family, where he felt accepted & respected. He loved winter quarter ranch stories. Him diving into croc infested waters, to hunt a water moccasin, you guys BBQ and ate.

Thank you Chino, for breaking the code & allowing females to travel with Karl (Red).

He had a photographic memory and was nick-named “the professor” by the great Teo Zacchini, because Karl always saw outside the box. He adored Teo.

He was part of an incredible group of people who travelled with Canada’s Conklin Shows, that’s where he met me!

I was a ticket seller, then worked to supervisor. Karl worked for the Zacchini Family running the dark ride, building, maintaining this Gorgeous dark ride (GHOST MANSION) was a passion.

I once saw him chasing a customer at the Stampede, the dude stole the gorilla arm, (it’s 3 feet of steel). Karl drags this man to the ground & rips the gorilla arm away from the dude.

He was raging. I’m thinking he’s dangerous, stay away. 

HOW WE MET

I’m going to tell you a story about Karl (Red), how we met at the Calgary Stampede, we were setting up tickets boxes in Calgary, I had a crew of 6 boys lol. Karl or RED was washing his beautiful Ghost Mansion…I walked up and asked if I could have a bucket of water, he cheekily replied “only if I can hose ya down first” I’m like does he not know who I am in my 16 year old mind. I said “TRY IT”

You see I worked for the office $$, so when he stood up & saw my crew.

He realized I better give her the water, or I won’t eat.

He became my best friend, Karl courted me for 2 years, until I was legal lol. Such a gentleman.

GIANT FERRIS WHEEL ACCIDENT. 70s

Springfield Mass.

In the late 70s, Red/Karl, went to help Frank Conklin in assistance to setting up his world famous Giant  Ferris wheel, while Red was down at the bottom, putting spreader bars in, the crane cable snapped, he was hit by a huge pin, directly on his spine. It hurdled him through a 60 foot wood ladder!

This accident left Red/Karl seriously injured, collapsing a lung and breaking 4 ribs. However within 6 days, they gave him a shot of morphine, pinned his address and sent him to the fair in a cab, where he sat alone, injured. He limped back in and he drove long haul 4 days later. That accident, caused immense suffering through out his life. He lost 3” in height from crippling DDD.

HEROIC DEEDS

So many stories

Karl never thought twice about helping anyone in need, whether it human or animal. He once rescued a lady & her newborn, stranded in a snow storm. She was terrified as Karl pulled up behind her, they were freezing. She got into the big rig, warm, she was scared and crying. He drove her to the truck stop, dropped her safely, & then when back to get her car, stayed until it was repaired. To ensure she wouldn’t get ripped off.

Buckey the Beaver.

This made the paper.

In 2017 Karl was fishing at his favourite pond, he heard rustling. Since it’s bear country, he walked over to look, he saw what he thought was a muskrat, they can be dangerous, so he went 10 feet back to the lake. The next thing you know, he feels something on his boot. He looks down & it’s a newborn beaver, who had been attacked by a hawk. Karl was so happy, he picked her up, & cuddled her, she suckled his thumb. He realized he could get in a lot trouble handling the wild life. But said “I will take the fine, to protect her”. People had wondered over to touch her, Karl said no, she ended up snuggling in his fleece. He had no service, so he sent visitors to get Fish and Wildlife, it was 6 different people, went to get help for her. He rescued her, but unfortunately, she didn’t survive. I had never seen such joy on his face. When Fish and Wildlife called us, a female officer calls, I regret to inform you, your beaver’s passed. We were just laughing, because it came out wrong.

KARL'S FRIENDS

I know his mental health stopped his interactions with you, it did not change his heart.

I can’t name you all, Chris & Dawn - from Mr. Transmission - you will forever be in my heart, for rescuing Karl when he broke down alone. Chris, he adored you both. For being there when I needed you…please support this local business.

Donna & Fred Bacque, Chef  Alex Rubiletz -The Cravery-in Airdrie, Karl loved Alex/Wife I spoiled him with weekly visits to Crossroads Market, Karl spent his last walks at the Crossroads Market, thank you Donna & Fred for coming to see him, he was so happy to see you.

Thank You Dale & Marsha Garton 

Pat McQuillian, Serafino Verardi, Terry Goodfellow, Craig Latone, Tim Anson, Sam Boguslavsky, Pat Almond, Don Holm, Jeff & Zac Hantos, Randy Smith, Ian Monk, Bud Taylor, Stewart Fisher

Markus Sayyman, thank you for baking for Karl, he was so grateful to have you help us, thank you for the flowers.

Markus has his own gardening company Kona Inc, get a quote!

TO THE LADIES

Ingrid, Janeen, Rocelyn, Karen Robinson, Bronwen Hantos, Kellie McQuiggin, Carmen Van Dyk, Brenda Monk , Laurie Goodfellow, & a few more.

You made him laugh, he cared for you all immensely.

Kenny & Marlon, your ranch was his last holiday.

Marlon, Uncle Karl loved you.

Yowa, Uncle Karl adored you sweetheart & Cartoon.

Tracey Anne Wu -Karl adored you, he was her private security, for years. He loved you, and wore everything you bought him, until he passed. We miss you.

CARNIVAL HEROES

Chino Zacchini & Teo Zacchini he loved and honoured you guys. Leslie Thank you.  Frank Conklin

JoeBob Edgerton, Steven Kaschl (rug rat) Lisa Messina Hardy, Sharon Holden, Hippy Kris & Mark 

Joe Collin’s and so many more. But I would like to thank you all for the friendship.

To all our friends passed on, Red will great you with a smile.

I’d like to thank Dr Lyne Audet, Hannah, & Margaret for her unwavering care as a physician & all the Staff at her clinic. I love you guys. He loved you, giving you guys coffee maker made his year! Seeing you guys monthly was a joy.

Thank you, Foothills Medical Center...

Unit 36- incredible nurses, who were so kind.

To the ICU Pod A, to Karl’s nurses, who were outstanding. Thank you for allowing me to grieve, warble & kiss every part of him.

More importantly for respecting his DNR.

To the doctors who cared for Karl, thank you for your kindness.

He was a gentleman until the end, never once striking out at nurses, or doctors, despite the unimaginable pain & suffering. He was begging for relief, the ER sends up food, I encourage you to question everything they do.

He was our loving Karl until the end.

Everyone will be held accountable my love…I PROMISE.

I will love you for eternity.

Be a peace my love.

God speed Wanda 

As per Karl’s wishes his ashes will be spread in BC at the lakes he loved. A small gathering will be held in Upper Kananaskis Lake in the spring.

Please tell a funny Red/Karl story, to remember him.

He will be cremated on November 11, 2024, please say a prayer for him and me. To keep his memory alive.

Due to financial hardship, I have set up a PayPal.me/wickedwanda832 anything can help.

I also need housing, for Feb 28, 2025, this is the biggest stressor for me.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karl WJ Priesemann, please visit our floral store.