Obituary of Fred Gatzke

Fred Gatzke 1938-2016 It is with heavy hearts and deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Fred Gatzke on Friday September the 30th, 2016 at the age of 78. He was surrounded by his family who kept a devoted vigil at his bedside. Fred is survived by his loving wife Marion, his son Sheldon (Melany), his granddaughters Emily and Adrienne, his brothers Albert (Sylvia), Raymond (Yvonne) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Jonathon and Mary Gatzke. Fred was born on September 19, 1938 on the family farm at Belbutte. He attended Stoke School and later Belbutte School. His entire working life was devoted to the farm and he was noted by friends and neighbours for how very hard he worked improving and expanding the farm and the extensive hog operation he started in 1967. He was very involved with the community, spending years on the Wheat Pool Committee, the Board of the Spiritwood Co-op, and Trinity and Trinity-Bissell Church Councils. In 1979 he married Marion Turnbull and in 1981 they welcomed their son Sheldon. For the next few years they were busy with farming, camping, schooling and traveling Canada and the World. In 1999 due to many health issues Fred retired from active farming, but the family continued living on the farm and Fred kept busy developing and improving a prolific 'Prairie Orchard'. How he loved to watch things grow and to share the produce with family, friends and neighbours. In 2009 he and Marion moved to Spiritwood leaving the farm vacant for Sheldon, and they could still access the orchard so that they could maintain it and harvest the fruit from it. Fred and Marion also began spending their winters in Arizona where they purchased a small plot of land with a Park Model in Yuma. They made friends with people from all over Canada and the U.S.A. and the dry heat seemed to lessen the discomfort of the arthritis which had plagued Fred for most of his life. Sheldon was married in 2005 and granddaughters Emily and Adrienne became a pride and joy to him. He spent hours pushing them on the swings and there were quad rides, fishing trips and even tea parties. Later there were school sports, drama nights, and Christmas Concerts. God and the Church were always predominately important to Fred and Emily's Confirmation was a precious moment in his life. Fred's Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 6th from the Belbutte Church with Pastor David Jensen officiating. Lunch and fellowship was held at the Belbutte Community Hall. Fred's final resting place is at the Belbutte Lutheran Cemetery of which he was the caretaker for over 50 years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Idylwild Lodge, the Canadian Cancer Society or an organization of the donor's choice. Those family and friends wishing to send the family private email condolences are invited to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care Edward Beaulac of Beau "Lac" Funeral Home Ltd, Spiritwood, 306-883-3500.