Although it is with sadness, we rejoice that Florian Eberl, our Dad and Opa, is in the presence of his Lord and Savior.  After a long battle with cancer, he passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on January 29, 2024, at the Claresholm General Hospital at the age of 94.   
Florian was born in Innsbruck, Austria on February 18, 1929. His parents passed away when he was young. By the age of 14, in 1943, he attended Agriculture School where he lived and apprenticed for 4 years.  Following those years, he a had a variety of jobs, including working at a cider press in Austria, in a hotel in Liechtenstein, at a dairy farm and then trucking for a lumber and feed mill in Switzerland. In 1956, Florian attended a revival meeting where he heard the gospel for the first time and realized his need for accepting Jesus as his personal Savior.  This decision completely changed his life. 
Florian met our mom, Luise, in 1956 and they were married in April 1957.  They were in Switzerland when an opportunity came for them to come to Canada on a 5-year farm work contract.  In February 1958, along with close family friend, Hans Ulrich, they embarked on this new adventure. Despite many hardships, with determination and hard work, Florian and Luise were able to stay in Canada to build their life and raise their five children. After 11 years, they were able to purchase some land. They worked very hard to make this happen, which included a variety of jobs like managing the Stampede Cattle Station, working at Safeway Shelter Systems, and 18 years of school bus driving.  Florian began raising purebred cattle under the name Starline Braunvieh and then together with his son Andrew built the largest Braunvieh herd in Canada. They sold many prize-winning animals over the years until they began focusing on their commercial herd. 
Florian remained steadfast in his decision to follow the Lord. He and Luise, along with five other families, became founding members of the Faith Community Baptist Church in Claresholm in 1975. 
Luise passed away in 1993. Florian married Clara Motz in 1995. Florian stayed on the farm until his hospitalization. He loved cutting hay, feeding the cattle, growing a large garden, cutting meat with the neighboring Hutterite colonies, traveling to the mountains, and taking many trips to Europe with various family members. He loved his family dearly, delighting in each new addition through marriage or birth. 
Florian will be lovingly remembered by his family: Markus (Cindy) – grandchildren Jennifer and Allison (Jorge) Barreto; Daniel (Mei-ling) – grandchildren Devon (Alex) and Colin; Esther (Grant) McDowell -grandchildren Jessica (Fulbert) Assiagbo, Carmen (Stuart) Copping and Lukas (Bethany); Andrew (Brenda) – grandchildren Kathryn, Rachael (Gerené) Cole and Emily (Isaac) Cole; Naomi (Mark) Unrau -grandchildren Erik (Mila), Ryan and Morgan.    
His great-grandchildren are Sully and Hayes Barreto, Antoinette, Adalynn and Dominic Assiagbo, Sophie Copping, Penelope McDowell, Louise Cole, and Elora Unrau. 
He is also fondly remembered by his daughter Helene Haidinger (grandchildren Iris and Gopika) in Austria and by his wife Clara in Medicine Hat.
A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Zentner Funeral Homes – 4079 1st Street W, Claresholm, AB. 1:00 P.M.