Obituary of Hilda Retzlaff

Hilda Retzlaff (nee Pritchett) 1920-2013 It is with sorrow that the family of Hilda Retzlaff announces her death on August 29th in her 93rd year. She was predeceased by husband Bill, daughter Gwen, parents Walter and Amy Pritchett, and brothers Walter and Samuel. She will be sadly missed by her children Jean (Doug) Austin, Don (Dale), Lorraine (Ernie) Smith, son-in-law Gordon Welch (Sandi & Scott), Maxine (Glen) Torgersen, Jackie (Colleen), and Wally (Cipriana), beloved grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also leaves to cherish her memory Bill's remaining siblings Freda McGuffie, Gordon (Sheila) Retzlaff, & Irene (Bud) Gray, sisters-in-law Addie and Gladys Retzlaff, all of whom she looked upon fondly as family. A host of nephews and nieces including Pat Ettinger, Jane Neufeld, and Joan Topolewski will miss this last of the Pritchett elders. Having been born and raised in the Unwin district our mother held "the river" (Battle) dear to her heart. One of her favorite pleasures was picnicking on the old homestead. After completing high school in Marsden and Lloydminster she went on to Saskatoon Normal School. That proved to be a formative experience in her life, forging friendships there which endured a lifetime. She was looked upon as feisty and fun-loving, traits which she carried through to her senior years. After teaching in the Rock Bottom and Eagle Butte districts our mother became a homemaker when she and Bill took up farming. After twenty-six years on the farm in the Banana Belt district our parents moved into Lashburn where Mum involved herself in volunteer mentoring, yearbook compilations, the Womens' Institute, and museum and Seniors' Centre activities. She found her forté in organization and writing. One of her most pleasurable accomplishments was the planning of her Normal School class's 50th anniversary reunion. Our mother was a strong woman who was the rock of our family. She was one to whom we could turn and know her solid good sense would prevail. She was frugal in personal habit but extremely generous with her family. She loved music, her grand- and great-grandchildrens' school concerts, flowers and gardening. She was proud of her children and took pleasure in their visits. Our home was often the gathering place for Retzlaff family get-togethers and she welcomed all with generosity and a smile. She valued friendships and enjoyed the good company of her dear friends in Lashburn and surrounding areas. Throughout the last decade of diminishing health she accepted without complaint the discomforts of diabetes, weak heart, and arthritis. She chose to move from her house on her own timetable, and aside from hospital stays, was accepting of whatever accommodations she found herself in, especially comfortable in her final "home" at Points West. A celebration of Mum's life will be held The Memorial Service for Hilda was conducted from Lashburn Community Hall on Thursday, August 5, 2013 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Pat Ribey and Reverend Lorna Brick officiating. The hymns sung, "In The Bulb There Is A Flower," and "For The Beauty Of The Earth," were accompanied by pianist, Jacqueline Retzlaff as well as the recessional, "What A Wonderful World." Interment was held in the Lashburn Cemetery. Donations in Hilda's memory may be made to the Lashburn Museum or to a charity of the donor's choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks The family of Hilda Retzlaff would like to thank Dr. Kamyar and the Nurses at the Lloydminster Hospital. They would also like to thank Pastor Patricia Ribey and Reverend Lorna Brick for the beautiful service, the Lashburn United Church Ladies for providing the lunch and Don Retzlaff, Scott Welch, Shirley Van Metre and Joyce LaForce. Thank you to all who sent flowers, cards and donations. A special thanks going out to the staff at Points West and Prairie North Home Care.