Don Gerhardt Krapohl

It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness, that I announce the passing of my brother Don Gerhardt Krapohl on April 5th, 2026, at the age of 59, at his home in Burns Lake, British Columbia.

Don had been living in BC for the past 18 years. Since the age of 5 his dream had been to live in a cabin in the woods. After a back injury left him unable to work, he had the opportunity to make that dream a reality. He purchased a log cabin on five acres of treed land. He hoped to explore the region’s many lakes, renowned for some of the best fishing.

Don’s beloved companion, Foxy, the German Pincher, found her way into his life when she was in need of a new home. One day while in Burns Lake, someone asked Don if he would adopt her. From that moment on they were inseparable until Foxy passed in November 2024.

Don had completed his first year at NAIT studying Environmental Sciences when he was working at a St. Albert warehouse, slinging tires for the summer, to pay for the next semester of school. It was there that he suffered the back injury that changed the course of his life.

Prior to that, he worked at a supplement store, where he developed a strong passion for health supplements, continuously learning and sharing his knowledge with others. He enjoyed the challenge of being presented with a client’s ailment, researching the available options, and determining which solutions might be most beneficial.  He found great satisfaction in helping people address various health concerns and identify solutions to improve their well-being.

He was also the proprietor of a picture framing shop in Sherwood Park and greatly appreciated the interactions with customers and creative aspects of the business. However, he found the extensive paperwork daunting, which ultimately contributed to the business being sold.

Don’s first job was at McDonalds’s, where he met more people that expanded his social circle. He was always eager to engage in lively discussions and enjoyed the challenge of a good strategy game. He would gather with friends at Pizza Hut for game nights, where conversation and friendly competition were enjoyed.

Our Sunday family dinners often involved lively and thoughtful discussions that would lead to research, debate, and conversations on a wide variety of topics. And then the evening would end with the family playing a board game.

Don and I bonded mostly through our many ski vacations. Don was all about speed, while I preferred control, this shared interest began in junior high and continued well into our 30’s, ending only when I injured my knee. 

We were fortunate to explore much of Canada through family camping trips, travelling from the far east coast including PEI all the way to BC. We also had the opportunity to travel to Europe and spend time with our extended family.

We are all in agreement that our most memorable trip was our camping adventure to PEI with the red sand leaving a lasting impression on us all. The trip also sparked a shared dream of someday owning a hard-top camper so that rainy nights would not put a damper on our next days adventures.

Sundays were family days and we spent many of them exploring local provincial parks and beaches throughout southern Ontario. We all enjoyed numerous vacations to the lake regions of northern Ontario, usually staying in cottages where Don seemed to be at his happiest.

One day Dad surprised us by announcing that he had purchased a cabin. For the next few years, we spent nearly every weekend there during the spring, summer, and fall. The kids next door, Scotty and Chrissy, introduced Don to fishing, a pastime that carried over into adulthood. During this time, Don was also involved with English Riding lessons during the week and attending a few local competitions on weekends. The cabin was eventually sold when we relocated from Burlington Ontario to St. Albert Alberta in 1977.

In the 1990’s our family was fortunate to have another cabin. Don cherished his time there as well and often invited friends to join him at the lake lot. Those days created memories that are treasured by all of us.

Schooling came easily to Don. He was a straight-A student, which always amazed me because he would complete his homework on the school bus, on route to school, on the day it was due. His natural intelligence combined with his curiosity and quick mind, allowed him to excel academically with seemingly little effort.

Don was welcomed into our family on June 5,1966 and brought to our home in Grimsby Ontario. That adorable little boy with the big brown eyes, immediately stole all our hearts. Throughout his life, Don’s charm and charisma carried him far, complemented by his intellect, sense of humor and adventurous spirit- qualities that often kept our parents on full alert.

He was preceded by his parents Helga (2003) and Werner (2015).

Lovingly remembered and left to mourn is his sister Kim, Aunt Doris and numerous cousins and friends.

Please join me at Dicey Reilly’s in St. Albert (Sobey’s Parking lot) at 330pm on June 12, 2026 to celebrate Don’s life and share your memories over some appetizers and drinks.

In lieu of flowers donations in Don’s Memory can be made to Movember or a cancer or pet charity of your choice.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Don Gerhardt Krapohl, please visit our Tree Store.