The death of Mrs. Rosella Marie (nee Stangel) Schmidtz of Humboldt, SK, occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. She was 101 years and 11 months of age and the last surviving member of her generation. Rosella was born on October 6, 1908, to Joseph and Margaret (nee Jungers) Stangel at home on their farm northwest of Annaheim. She grew up there and attended Leavenworth School. Following her education, Rosella stayed home to help with the domestic and farm chores. On September 7, 1942, she married William Schmidtz. They made their home on William's farm in the Annaheim district, where they farmed and raised a family of four, one daughter and three sons. A very hard worker, as well as tending to the on-going responsibilities of being a mother and homemaker, Rosella took an active role in assisting her husband in all areas of their farming operation. In 1955, when William began full-time employment with the Sask. Wheat Pool, he and Rosella rented out their land and retired from farming. Due to William's new career as a grain buyer, the family moved to Lake Lenore and then to St. Benedict. When failing health necessitated a career change, a final move was made to Humboldt where William accepted a position as a tire repair man with the Humboldt Co-op Association. In 1975, he and Rosella built a new home where they continued to reside until their subsequent deaths. William's retirement in 1980 allowed them the flexibility to do more travelling to various points in Canada and the United States. On May 5, 1992, William passed away. Rosella kept herself busy pursuing her favourite hobbies and interests. She especially enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, doing jumbo puzzles, playing bingo, cards - particularly solitaire, and quilting, which she still did until about two years ago. One thing Rosella really loved and appreciated was when her devoted son Gerald took her for car rides after supper. A true pioneer in every sense of the word, among the innumerable things she experienced were: breaking virgin soil, the beginning of women being able to vote and being allowed into bars, surviving two World Wars and the Dirty 30s, and seeing the dawn of electric power, indoor plumbing, telephones, and television, to name a few. Foremost in the memories her family has of her and their father is the fact that they were wonderful parents and grandparents, a legacy anyone would be proud to leave. Rosella will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her four children and 11 grandchildren: Darlene (Louie) Evans of Prince Albert, SK, and family, Bruce (Wendy) Evans of Calgary, AB, Glen (Joan) Evans, Miles (Shelley) Evans and Leann Evans (Andy), all of Prince Albert; Gayle (Marie) Schmidtz of Watson, SK, and family, Corey (Janice) Schmidtz of Kelowna, BC, Shelly (Jason) Wittke of Aldergrove, BC, and Ryan (Brandy) Schmidtz of Kelowna; Gerald Schmidtz of Humboldt; and Lionel (Janet) Schmidtz of Unity, SK, and family, Darren Schmidtz (Ikue) of Vancouver, BC, Barbara Schmidtz of Regina, Christopher Schmidtz (Jess) and Patrick Schmitz, all of Unity; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Mary Stangel of Regina, SK, and Rosemarie Stangel of Assiniboia, SK; in-laws of the Schmidtz family: Liz Gross of Medicine Hat, AB, and Celia Schmidtz of Saskatoon, SK; and by numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, William Schmidtz (May 5, 1992); one grandson, Joseph Schmidtz (in infancy); and by three sisters and six brothers: Katherine, Alfred, Aldie, Raymond, Adam and Clarence Stangel, Celestine (Leo) Doepker, Edward Stangel, and Grace (Art) Doyscher. The Prayer Service for Rosella was held at Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, on Friday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m., led by Walter Sarauer. Others taking part were Delores Hinz, organist; Leann Evans and Barbara Schmidtz, scripture readers. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt, on Saturday, September 11 at 10:00 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Emile April. Others taking part were: Joshua Evans, cross bearer; Barbara Schmidtz and Leann Evans, scripture readers and intentions; Gayle and Marie Schmidtz, gift bearers. An honor guard was formed by members of the CWL. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Rosella's life". Active pallbearers were Darren, Christopher and Patrick Schmidtz, and Bruce, Glen and Miles Evans. Interment followed at St. Augustine R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
