Alois James WegleitnerApril 16, 1930 - October 2, 2011 "God gently gathered our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather into His arms and took him home to rest, where he will be reunited with his cherished wife and soul-mate, Theresa." Alois' death occurred at Humboldt District Hospital, Humboldt, SK, on Sunday, October 2, 2011, with his family gathered around him. Alois, or "Bingo" as he was affectionately called, was born on April 16, 1930, to John and Louisa (nee Lukan) Wegleitner at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Humboldt. He grew up on the Wegleitner homestead one mile west and one mile south of Fulda and attended Epson Rural School in the Old Fulda district. Alois was born during the "Dirty Thirties". Times were tough and the family worked hard to make a living. In 1947, he travelled to Flin Flon, MB, and worked in the mines for six months only to return home to continue his lifelong desire to farm. During that time, he met his true love, Theresa Ecker. Their special friendship was sealed with their marriage in St. Joseph's R.C. Church at Old Fulda on July 9, 1957. Alois and Theresa began their life together on the Wegleitner homestead. Their union was blessed with six children, four sons and two daughters. As well as running the mixed farm operation with Theresa, Alois was a school bus driver in the Fulda area for 17 years. Though safety was his top priority, he made bus rides fun, which many of the neighbours' children still remember. In 2003, Alois and Theresa moved into Humboldt and their son Paul became the third generation to take over the Wegleitner farm. Next to his family, who meant the world to him, Alois' greatest passion was music; he played the banjo, guitar, bass guitar and accordion and loved to share his music by performing at various events. He and Theresa loved dancing and traveling, and especially had fond recollections of their trip through the mountains by train. Alois also loved old cars and enjoyed working with his son James on some restoration projects. He was especially known as a very likeable, good-natured man with a keen sense of humor, an ever-present smile, and a ready laugh. He loved to make others laugh too, and was so much fun to be around. However, deep sorrow touched his life when, on Valentine's Day, 2009, Theresa, the love of his life, passed away fairly suddenly after a brief illness. Part of Alois died that day also. Shortly thereafter, due to his own health challenges, it became necessary for him to move into St. Mary's Villa in Humboldt, his home until the present. Alois will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his six children, 12 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: Ron (Rete) Wegleitner of Drumheller, AB, and family, Ken, and Cole (Kayla) and their children Hunter and John; Paul Wegleitner of Humboldt, his sons Marvin and Matthew, and their mother Cheryl; James (Felicity) Wegleitner of Dalmeny, SK, and family, Kendra and Jesse; Terry (Jackie) Wegleitner of Sylvan Lake, AB, and daughter Alyshia; Brendalee (Gordon) Dietrich of Drumheller, AB, and family, Scott, Joseph and Travis; and Rosalie (Glen) ven der Buhs of Englefeld, SK, and family, Nicholas and Sidney; three sisters and two brothers: Gertrude Hoffman of Parksville, BC; Joseph (Dorothy) Wegleitner of Calgary, AB; Christina Weiland of Middle Lake, SK; Ludwig (Lida) Wegleitner of Surrey, BC; and Melanie "Cis" Hoffman of Parksville, BC; in-laws: Math Bregenser of Middle Lake, SK; Lois Wegleitner of Humboldt, SK; and Jeanette Bender of Humboldt, SK; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Theresa (nee Ecker) Wegleitner (February 14, 2009); one grandson, John Peter Wegleitner; parents, John and Louisa (nee Lukan) Wegleitner; five brothers and six sisters: John Jr. (Brigetta) Wegleitner, Frank (Agnes) Wegleitner, Katie (George) Schumacher, Marie (Martin) Therres, Bertha (John) Weiland, Johanna Bregenser, Ida Wegleitner (at 6 months), August Wegleitner, Elizabeth (John) Bernauer, Lambert Wegleitner, and Romuld Wegleitner (at birth); and by in-laws: Bill Hoffman, Albert Weiland, and Tom Hoffman. The Prayer Service for Alois was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Thursday, October 6, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer and organist Kathy Detillieux. The scripture readers were Alyshia Wegleitner and Kendra Wegleitner, and the eulogy was delivered by Paul Wegleitner. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church on Friday, October 7, 2011, at 9:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Jesse Wegleitner, cross bearer; Joseph Dietrich, Bible bearer; Travis Dietrich and Scott Dietrich, altar servers; Rosalie ven der Buhs, urn bearer; Kendra Wegleitner and Alyshia Wegleitner, scripture readers; Sidney ven der Buhs, intentions; Marvin Wegleitner, Ken Wegleitner and Nicholas ven der Buhs, gift bearers; Irene Zimmerman and Jeannette Engele, eucharistic ministers. Interment followed at St. Joseph's R.C. Cemetery, Old Fulda, SK. Memorial donations may be directed to the Alois and Theresa Wegleitner Memorial Fund, c/o Humboldt District Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1740, Humboldt, SK, S0K 2A0. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
