Obituary of Henry Tetz

TETZ ~ Henry Tetz passed away peacefully at the Jubilee Home, in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on May 22, 2012 at the age of 88 years. The funeral was held at First Lutheran Church on May 28, 2012 with McCaw Funeral Service in charge of arrangements. Henry Tetz was born April 30, 1924 at Leader, Saskatchewan to Gottfrid and Anna Tetz. He was the youngest son in a family of ten children. He had five brothers and four sisters. Henry is survived by one sister, Lydia Prafke of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Henry was raised and went to school in a number of different areas in Saskatchewan as Henry's dad did not like to stay in one place for too long. Henry used to comment that, because his family moved so often he went to 13 different schools to get his grade 8 education. As a young man Henry worked on the farm with his parents and often took on other jobs for neighbors, threshing and stooking the sheaves in the fields at harvest time. In some of these tough times in the 30's everyone had to work at every job they possibly could to help feed their families. Henry was up to the task. In 1948 he met Elsie Schaefer who he married in April of 1949. They were married for 63 years. They were blessed with 4 children, Gordon (Pat) Tetz, Norman (Norma) Tetz, Glenda (Lorie) Peregrym, and Bonnie (Bart) Toporowski, 10 Grandchildren, and 10 Great-Grandchildren who all survive him. Henry and Elsie bought their first piece of land North of Blackfoot from Steve and Anna Jacubiec in the Early 1950's. Once Henry got settled down on his newly purchased property he never moved any place again until they left the farm and moved into the Hearthstone Place in Lloydminster in 2006. Henry started work with Husky Oil in 1949 as a pumper for the wells in the Blackfoot, Lloydminster area. He was an employee of Husky for a couple of years and then became a Contract pumper for Husky until 1966. Henry had as many as 60 wells under his management at times. This was quite a big job if a motor stopped running, a flow line froze off in the Winter, or pipefitting had to be done it was his job to make sure this got done. In addition to his job working for Husky; Henry also carried on a mixed farming operation with grain and cattle. He was proud of his Hereford cattle and encouraged his children to be in Four-H. He worked hard each year putting up feed and looking after the cattle. In those days hay and green feed square bales were all handled by hand. Henry did a great job with his grain farming operation and was very diligent in making sure the land was free of weeds. He also took great pride in his farming machinery, making sure it was thoroughly washed and sometimes even waxed before putting it away for the season. His vehicles were also regularly cleaned and well maintained. He loved his work so much that he rarely even took a holiday. Henry retired in about 1975 from working out and from farming. Retiring however did not mean that he did not do any work. He still helped Gordon and Norman out in their farming operations where ever he could and retirement gave him an opportunity to pursue his hobbies of working with steel. During his life, up until that point, he had become a self taught welder and loved to work with metal. He built many steel gates and fences around the yard and was well known for building and painting his wind mills, which each one of the kids and some of the Grandchildren and friends are proudly showing off in their yards to this day. These windmills will stand as a lasting memory of Henry Tetz. Henry also built some playground equipment for a couple of the playgrounds in the area. Henry enjoyed visiting with his friends and neighbors and he particularly enjoyed going down to deliver eggs and have coffee with Ray and Chris Ference. He would always be willing to lend a hand to any friends, family or neighbors who needed his help. Henry showed great compassion and support and helped his older brother David when he was in the Pioneer Lodge and also when he was in failing health in the Dr. Cooke Nursing Home. Henry always loved to visit with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always glad to see them even when his health started to fail. Henry will be sadly missed by Elsie and his family and friends but has earned a well deserved rest for a life well lived. Elsie and the family are so relieved that Henry has finally been relieved of the pain and suffering that he endured recently and thanks everyone who helped in any way during the last few years while Henry was sick. Special Thanks to the following: -Glenn McCaw and his staff at McCaw Funeral Service for their guidance, compassion and professionalism at this difficult time. -Ted William for giving the Eulogy. -Pastor Ulmer of Saskatoon for doing the Service. -To everyone who called, attended the funeral or sent cards, gifts and donations. Your kindness was very much appreciated. Elsie Tetz and Families