Obituary for Werner Otto Gretz
Werner Otto Gretz
(June 9, 1930-April 21, 2019)
Werner has rejoined his beloved wife and soulmate, Marjorie, who predeceased him January 10, 2019.
Werner was a loving father to David (Rae) and Elizabeth (Shaun), and devoted Opa to Koen and Dawson, and Erin, Shayne, and Evyn. He was born in Neuss, Germany to Otto and Maria, predeceased by his siblings Eckhart and Wolfgang, is also survived by his nephew, Jurgen Gretz (Sabine) & children. Werner obtained an agricultural diploma in Germany before setting out to Canada for a new life in 1951. Initially, he worked on a dairy farm in Alberta but he also did some prospecting and travelling, and eventually found his way to Ontario as a bookkeeper and later as a factory Worker at Uniroyal Tire and Campbell’s Soup. He met Marjorie at a dance in 1957 in Kitchner, Ontario, and they married Mar 1, 1958, raising two children, David and Elizabeth. Werner farmed near Milverton and drove school bus while Marjorie worked as an x-ray tech at KW hospital. In 1976, he moved with his family to Clyde, Alberta, and farmed for many years, also running a janitorial business with Marjorie until his retirement in 2002. Farming was a family effort and he taught his children the value of hard work and setting goals. He and Marjorie retired to Crossfield to be near their children and grandchildren, and they enjoyed many good years in the community going to the Crossfield Library and the Golden Key Senior’s Club.
Werner was a kind, cheerful, humorous man, who enjoyed gardening, reading, target shooting, and had many interests that included studying World War 2 history and current politics. He was always educating himself and took many additional courses throughout the years including going back to college in Stratford, Ontario for electrical repair and also obtaining his real estate licence in Alberta. He enjoyed babysitting all his grandchildren and played many inventive games with them, always laughing and having fun. He kept active and busy, and enjoyed listening to march music and was known for his love of food, especially potato salad, liverwurst, and sauerkraut. He also enjoyed baking and cooking, and making deviled eggs. His strength of character and presence will be sorely missed by his family. He and Marjorie lived briefly at Rockyview Lodge in Crossfield and then at St. Teresa Assisted living in Calgary (Many thanks to all staff and care givers). No matter where he was, he always loved life and approached it with enthusiasm. Most important to Werner and at the centre of his life was his wife Marjorie. He loved her more than anyone in the world and cared for her with loyalty and devotion, especially in the last years of her life. He was bereft after her passing in January this year until his death April 21, 2019 at Sarcee Hospice. Family will honor Werner’s memory at a private memorial.
Donations may be made in Werner’s memory to the Heart and Stroke foundation or the Alberta Cancer Foundation. To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Werner, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
(June 9, 1930-April 21, 2019)
Werner has rejoined his beloved wife and soulmate, Marjorie, who predeceased him January 10, 2019.
Werner was a loving father to David (Rae) and Elizabeth (Shaun), and devoted Opa to Koen and Dawson, and Erin, Shayne, and Evyn. He was born in Neuss, Germany to Otto and Maria, predeceased by his siblings Eckhart and Wolfgang, is also survived by his nephew, Jurgen Gretz (Sabine) & children. Werner obtained an agricultural diploma in Germany before setting out to Canada for a new life in 1951. Initially, he worked on a dairy farm in Alberta but he also did some prospecting and travelling, and eventually found his way to Ontario as a bookkeeper and later as a factory Worker at Uniroyal Tire and Campbell’s Soup. He met Marjorie at a dance in 1957 in Kitchner, Ontario, and they married Mar 1, 1958, raising two children, David and Elizabeth. Werner farmed near Milverton and drove school bus while Marjorie worked as an x-ray tech at KW hospital. In 1976, he moved with his family to Clyde, Alberta, and farmed for many years, also running a janitorial business with Marjorie until his retirement in 2002. Farming was a family effort and he taught his children the value of hard work and setting goals. He and Marjorie retired to Crossfield to be near their children and grandchildren, and they enjoyed many good years in the community going to the Crossfield Library and the Golden Key Senior’s Club.
Werner was a kind, cheerful, humorous man, who enjoyed gardening, reading, target shooting, and had many interests that included studying World War 2 history and current politics. He was always educating himself and took many additional courses throughout the years including going back to college in Stratford, Ontario for electrical repair and also obtaining his real estate licence in Alberta. He enjoyed babysitting all his grandchildren and played many inventive games with them, always laughing and having fun. He kept active and busy, and enjoyed listening to march music and was known for his love of food, especially potato salad, liverwurst, and sauerkraut. He also enjoyed baking and cooking, and making deviled eggs. His strength of character and presence will be sorely missed by his family. He and Marjorie lived briefly at Rockyview Lodge in Crossfield and then at St. Teresa Assisted living in Calgary (Many thanks to all staff and care givers). No matter where he was, he always loved life and approached it with enthusiasm. Most important to Werner and at the centre of his life was his wife Marjorie. He loved her more than anyone in the world and cared for her with loyalty and devotion, especially in the last years of her life. He was bereft after her passing in January this year until his death April 21, 2019 at Sarcee Hospice. Family will honor Werner’s memory at a private memorial.
Donations may be made in Werner’s memory to the Heart and Stroke foundation or the Alberta Cancer Foundation. To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Werner, please visit www.choicememorial.com.