Obituary of George Schmirler

The family of George Schmirler are deeply saddened to announce his passing on December 14, 2007 at the age of 80 years in North Battleford. George was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA in 1927 to George Sr. and Annie Schmirler. He came to Canada in 1930 to Meacham, SK and resided there for one year until moving to the Medstead area where the family farmed by Guyhirne School. George attended the first six years of school at Guyhirne. In 1939, George Sr. passed away and the family moved again in the Medstead district. In 1941, George's mom, Annie, married Ole Swenson. George finished school in Medstead and helped on the farm until 1952. It was then that he bought the John Deere Agency. In 1953, George and Alpha Fonda were married and lived in Medstead, running the dealership until 1960. Then they decided to move to the home farm and take over. George and Alpha raised three children and continued to farm for 42 years. They retired to Medstead in 2002. George was intrigued with mechanical challenges and developed new and inventive solutions. He loved fishing, camping, coffee row and visiting with people. George took great joy in creating various things like a mobile grain cleaner and creep feeders from wrecked combines. He also manufactured a miniature tractor from miscellaneous machine parts. George's last project was the construction of two green houses made from used materials. George leaves to mourn his memory his loving wife Alpha Schmirler, his children Albert (Caren) Schmirler and their children Greg (Jill) Schmirler and Nicole (Mat) Ryall; Judy (Grant) Hipkiss and their children Shawn (Tina) Hipkiss and Cara (Mark Adams) Hipkiss; and Gerald (Carol) Schmirler as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends. George was predeceased by his father George Schmirler Senior, his mother Annie Swenson; his stepfather Ole Swenson and his brother Frank (Winnifred) Schmirler. The funeral service was held on Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 2 p.m. from the Medstead Community Hall with Pastor Richard Prankev as the officiant. Music was by Bill Martodam. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in George's life and the active pall bearers were Dave Lange, Allan Short, Greg Schmirler, Terrel Hill, Shawn Hipkiss and William Cherwoniak. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan or the Canadian Diabetes Association. George was laid to rest in the Medstead Lutheran Cemetery.