Werner was born in 1945 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, he grew up in a large family (4 brothers and 3 sisters) in a nearby small town where he eventually learned to be a cheesemaker.  After serving in the Swiss Army, Werner hopped on a boat bound for Australia where he spent time travelling and working a variety of jobs.  With much of his family moving to Ontario, he decided to check out Canada and ended up in Vancouver (1971).  Werner found a job at Frebye’s Sausage where he also found numerous long-lasting friendships.  He also met his wife/life partner of 44 years, Elisabeth (Lisa or Lise, to him).  Together they started a family that included son Patrick (Robin) and for a far too brief time, a daughter named Sandra.  

Seeking to leave the big city and start a hobby farm, Werner landed a Cheesemaker Job at Armstrong Cheese in 1980.  Werner and Lisa bought some land on Stepney Road, built a home and a hobby farm and became embedded in the tight local community.  Werner worked at the Cheese plant for 20 years and was very proud of the cheese he and his colleagues made, including a World Grand Champion Cheddar.      

Werner enjoyed camping, fishing, wine making, friends and conversation (with friends and strangers alike).  He had a love/hate relationship with farming on his often flooded land; eventually he conceded much of the land to nature and wildlife which he and Lisa enjoyed immensely.  Werner was known as a giving, unselfish, hard worker that cared more about everyone else than his own well-being.      

Werner was a very keen Opa to two granddaughters, Brooke (9) and Kate (7), daughters to Patrick and Robin in Whitehorse, Yukon.  Brooke and Kate are very grateful for the fun time spent with Opa in Yukon and on the farm.