SASKATOON, SK
The Russlaender 100 historical train trip took an unexpected turn this week after an uninvited guest was discovered on board — a Kanadier.
“I was just minding my own business in the bar car,” said train passenger Emily Friesen, “when I heard a faint whimper from below the cocktail glasses. When I opened the cupboard door, I found Mrs. Krahn from Rosenort curled up in a ball and munching away at an ice cream pail full of roll kuchen.”
Friesen says she immediately asked for Krahn’s Grandma Online number, only to find out that Krahn’s people had come over in the 1870s of all decades.
“There was only one thing to do with this stowaway,” said Friesen. “I gathered a few other Russlaenders and greeted Mrs. Krahn with a stirring rendition of Nun danket alle Gott.”
The 4-part harmony was sung by baritone Nathan Plank, alto Sarah Ens, and soprano Michaela Hiebert, with Friesen struggling to round out the quartet with the bass part. After the performance, Krahn was in tears as she explained her actions.
“I’ve always wanted to know what life is like for the descendants of Russlaenders,” said Krahn, who normally keeps busy chasing after her fifteen grandchildren and volunteering in the pickle jar department at her local thrift store. “Of course as a good frugal Kanadier, I wasn’t going to pay for the cost of a train ticket.”
Krahn was allowed to stay with the train until Rosthern where she hopes to get a job keeping tabs on all the young people at RJC.
