The CAMROSE BOOSTER, July 18, 2017 – Page 24
Peter George Szott August 15, 1921 ~ July 7, 2017 Peter George Szott was born on August 15, 1921, to his parents, August and Annie Szott, on the farm at Daysland, Alberta. Peter was the third oldest child of sixteen children. Peter attended Quarrel School until grade six when he had to quit to help his mother with the farm and raise his siblings after his father got ill and later passed on at a young age. Like everyone, times were tough for the young Szott family growing up in the depression era … maybe even a little harder for Peter trying to help put food on the table for a large family and doing a man’s work as a teenager. Peter met the love of his life, Annie Tkaczyk, in 1946 and they were later married on August 21, 1947. This August would have made 70 years of marriage for them. To this union, seven children were born Rita, Dennis, Bonnie, Terry, Rick, Allan and Tracy. Life was all about raising his children to be providers of the land and farming six days of the week. On Sundays, it was church, Sunday dinner, a visit to other family or, as his family grew bigger, ball games or hockey on the dugout with all of his kids involved. Peter loved this a lot and was probably the biggest kid of all when it came to sports or other activities with his kids. He always wore rubber boots while playing hockey and played his last game at the age of 78 when Annie made him retire from playing. Peter always taught his kids about life in general. Whether it involved using a piece of equipment, shingling a house or learning how to pull a calf, it didn’t matter if you were a boy or girl. He treated everyone as an equal and was happy to do it. He taught his kids everything they needed to know and was a good and patient teacher. Farming wasn’t just a hobby or treated as a business for Peter. It truly was in his blood and he had a passion for it, more than anyone we have ever known. He loved harvest time and was always the first on the combine waiting for everyone else to finish their dinner, or up at 5 a.m. getting the combine greased up. He was still combining at the age of 88 years and still carrying 40-pound chop pails for the cows until last summer at the age of 95. Peter was always a positive person. He lived life to its fullest and enjoyed living his life. He was often heard telling people 20 or 30 years younger, “You have to keep moving, not sit around, that’s what keeps you healthy and living,” and that’s what he did right until the very end. He was tough as nails. After his passing, the nurses told his family if it wasn’t for his dementia, he would have lived well into his hundreds. His body was in that good of shape. Peter suffered from dementia and, sadly, was placed in the Tofield Care Center just before this past Christmas. He was moved to the Rosehaven Care Center just before Easter. He passed away on July 7, 2017 at the age of 95 years in Rosehaven. He is lovingly remembered and survived by his children Dennis (Lyndon) Szott, Bonnie Szott, Terry Banack, Rick (Linda) Szott, Allan Szott (Ammabel Bocalan) and Tracy (Steve) Kushnerik; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; brothers August (Barbara) Szott and Martin (Gerry) Szott; sisters Angie Roberge, Francis Tandberg, Annette Fitzpatrick, Alice Bliid, Josie Scherrens and Olga (Ron MacMillan); numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends and acquaintances. He was predeceased by his loving wife Annie; infant daughter Rita; his parents August and Annie Szott; six brothers Mike, Frank, Joe, Edward, Rudolph and infant brother Joseph; and sisters Helen Beattie and Victoria Peart. If Dad were to comment on his passing, he would say, “What are you crying for? I lived a good life!” A Prayer Vigil was held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. from Burgar Memorial Chapel, Camrose. A Funeral Service with Mass was celebrated on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. from Our Lady of the Prairies Roman Catholic Church, Daysland. Interment has taken place in the Daysland Cemetery. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the charity of one’s choice. To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Phone 780-672-2121 “Dedicated service since 1906”
Ann Berkholtz July 9, 1930 ~ July 10, 2017 Ann was born on July 9, 1930 to parents Amelia and Otto Metzker. She was the oldest child of five, with three brothers Waldemar, Alfred and Alvin and one sister Gert. She married Jack at the age of eighteen on November 10, 1948. They set up house on the Berkholtz homestead. Jack and Ann had three children. Dwayne was born on January 18, 1950, Neil joined him on February 28, 1954 and, finally, Sheila on January 27, 1962. Ann was a wonderful mother and selflessly took care of her family. Her hands were kept busy raising a family on the farm. Her days were filled tending to the garden, preparing homecooked meals and keeping the house in running order. Ann was always a hostess; it was ingrained in her. Maybe it was because she was the oldest of her four siblings or just simply the fact that she loved to feed people. Ann loved to cook and entertain and continued to cook Christmas and Easter feasts until she was 80. Ann and Jack enjoyed their retirement years travelling on bus tours with their friends, camping, fishing and dining out. The family lost both Jack and Dwayne in 2005, but Ann carried on being active with her many dear friends and attending church in Hay Lakes. After a diagnosis of dementia, Ann left her home in August 2013 and resided for a short time in Bashaw Meadows. She then returned to Camrose in October 2013 to reside at Sunrise Village until the time of her passing. Ann celebrated her 87th birthday the day before her death. She always enjoyed her birthdays and, even though she was very ill, she refused to miss this last one. Left to cherish her memory are her children Sheila (Rick) Galenza of Beaumont and Neil (Crystal) Berkholtz of Hay Lakes; six grandchildren Amber, Chelsey, Ashley, Shannon, Nolan and Paige; siblings Waldemar (Marge) Metzker of Bittern Lake, Alfred Metzker (Helga Adams) of Camrose, Gert Zucht of Olds, and Alvin (Edie) Metzker of Gwynne. She will also be lovingly remembered by many relatives and friends. Ann was predeceased by her husband Jack; son Dwayne; and brother-in-law Ron Zucht. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2017 from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Hay Lakes with Rev. Donald Bolstad officiating. Interment has taken place in Our Saviour Lutheran Cemetery. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or to Sunrise Village (Rosegate Unit). To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Phone 780-672-2121 “Dedicated service since 1906”
In memory of
William Stern
In loving memory of
Steven Derenuik November 25, 1976 ~ July 18, 1992 Twenty-five years have slipped by since you passed away. You’re forever in our hearts and prayers and forever loved and dearly missed. From Mom, Susan, Cecil, Catherine, Joseph and Mary and their families
who passed away on July 19, 2014 We often sit and think of him When we are alone, For memory is the only friend That grief can call its own; Like ivy on the withered oak, When other things decay, Our love for him will still be green And never fade away. Love Bernice and family
Judith “Judy” Eileen Morris September 26, 1957 ~ July 6, 2017 At the age of 59 years, our beloved Judy passed away surrounded by the love of her family. Judy was born on September 26, 1957 to Jalmer and Mabel Johnson in Lacombe where she grew up on a nearby farm with her twin sister Janet. Judy married her love and life partner, Mike, on June 12, 1976. They made a home in Camrose where they raised their three children and later welcomed their four grandchildren whom Judy loved beyond measure. Judy touched many lives through her work as a registered nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital where she was well known for her kindness, calm demeanor and gentle smile, traits that she offered freely to all. Left to love her always and cherish her memory are her loving husband of 41 years Mike; three children Charlene (Dwayne) Nunemaker, Shannon (Mark) De’Aeth and Brent Morris (Rikki Lamb); beloved grandchildren Reed, Paige, Kayden and Rhett; mother Mabel Baker; twin sister Janet (Charlie) Ball; as well as numerous family and friends. A celebration of life will be held for Judy on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the Norsemen Inn, Camrose. Judy never loved black, so please wear colour to honour her life full of love. We wish to express special thanks to Dr. Kevyn Letley and to all the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital for their loving and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, at Judy’s request and if you wish, memorial donations can be made to the War Amps of Canada 1-800-250-3030 or waramps.ca. To send condolences, please visit www. burgarfuneralhome.com.
Phone 780-672-2121 “Dedicated service since 1906”
For more information on The Camrose Booster Obituary Page, contact your funeral director or the Camrose Booster.