FITTKAU: With his family surrounding him in prayer, Allen Fittkau passed away peacefully at The Battlefords District Care Centre on June 25, 2012 at age 83. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Rose of 53 years; his daughter Anna (Doug Kuchenbrand) and their children: Joshua and Jasmine; his son, Michael (Faye) and their children: Chadwick and his friend, Michelle, Amanda (great-grandson, Ethan), Kaitlynn and Lindsay; his daughter Wanda (Harold Guenther) and their children: Shandell, Kimberly, Tammy and Caleb; his daughter, Donna (Tim Hilsendager) and their children: James, Zachary and Daniel; is sons: David and Edwin ; his brother, Bruno and his sister Irma (Henry Gutting); his sisters-in-law: Francis (Ken Schwark), Mary Lou (Raymond Guillet), Leona (Mark Nelson) and brother-in-law Randy Anthofer (Nancy), along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant brother, Edward; loving parents, Bruno and Maria Fittkau; a son, James; a brother, Eddie and his in-laws, Mike and Annie Anthofer. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Joseph's Calasanctius Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK with Father Val Besas Celebrant. The Cross Bearer was Daniel Hilsendager (grandson); Liturgy Of The Word was shared by Anna Kuchenbrand (daughter) and Donna Hilsendager (daughter) Prayers Of The Faithful were read by the grandchildren: Daniel Hilsendager, Shandell Guenther, Zachary Hilsendager, Tammy Guenther and James Hilsendager. Offertory Gift Bearers were Anna Kuchenbrand (daughter) and Edwin Fittkau (son). The music was provided by St. Joseph's Community Choir and Soloist, Robert MacKay. The Eulogist was Doug Kuchenbrand. Active Pallbearers were Grandsons: Joshua Kuchenbrand and Chadwick Fittkau; nephews: Anthony and Richard Gutting and Wayne and Keith Schwark. Honourary Pallbearers were "All Those Who Shared In His Life". Interment took place at the Cando Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. Eulogy - read by Doug Kuchenbrand (son-in-law) Dad, Allen (Aloysius) Edward Fittkau was born at O'Malley, Saskatchewan on January 12, 1929. He is the oldest of four children. He was born to Bruno and Maria. Dad learned to work hard at an early age. Dad and his brother had to weed and hoe many rows of trees; eventually they learned how to work the land with horses. At 15 years of age, Dad was already working for the neighbors as a farm hand. By fall he had scraped together 100 dollars and bought his first, Canada Savings Bond. Dad always said, we should put money away for a rainy day. During winter Dad did some trapping. He told us a story of how one time he saw a weasel. He ran after it but it went down the gopher hole. As he was going to the fence to get a willow picket the weasel came out again. Dad chased it down another hole. But this time he stuck his shoe in the hole and was able to get a picket. When he came back, he pulled his shoe out and that was the end of the weasel. Dad made $3.75 on that weasel. When he was 18 he went on a harvest excursion to Ontario. A round trip cost his $10.00. When Dad was there he worked for a Mennonite family, Mr. and Mrs. Martin. Through letters and visits, their friendship continued for many years. In 1986, Dad and Mom went back to visit Mr. & Mrs. Martin. Dad worked on the CNR laying steel from Biggar to Landis. He told us many stories of the great friends he met and continued to correspond with them until their passing. The friends dad made proved to be life-time friends. In 1958, Dad married the love of his life, Rose. Dad wrote in a letter to Mom, "I hope you will be my light that will never die". They started their life together on a farm one and a half miles west of Cando. Dad worked hard to provide a life and home for his wife and 7 children. Dad taught us the importance of taking pride in our work and always doing it the best you can. We remember many Saturday nights after a long day of picking rocks. Dad would say "These kids work hard today, let's have an ice cream sundae!". Dad always treated his little workers well and in doing so expected us to be good in return. He was an honest man. He tried not to take advantage of people and he expected the same in return. Dad was also a very faith-filled man. An evening tradition after supper would be for us to be kneeling at our chairs in the kitchen and Dad leading us in the Rosary. Dad's love for saying the Rosary continued right until his passing. Dad retired from farming in 1994 and moved to Lloyminster. Dad continued to make trips to the farm to help David and Edwin bringing along treats that they could enjoy eating together. In his free time he loved to build birdhouses, and mini grain elevators. In 1997 Dad had a stroke due to complications with surgery. The stroke caused his left side to be paralyzed. Although he was paralyzed on the left side, we felt fortunate that he could recognize us and was able to communicate. Dad and Mom bought a home in North Battleford and lived there together for 6 years. In 2003 Dad moved to The Battlefords District Care Centre. It became a family tradition for the family to meet there on Sunday afternoon. Dad settled in quickly and started his work with giving people free advise regarding moral issues and making them aware of the importance of the Rosary. Dad always had a special pocket for his Rosary and the workers at the home did their best to find the missing Rosary that disappeared in his bed sheets and the laundry. He was a very strong man who never gave up and who taught us that anything can be done if you are willing to work hard enough. Dad never complained. But if things were getting him down, he would say I am doing it for my sins and sometimes for our sins too. Dad was loved by all those who knew him. While we were staying at The Battlefords District Care Centre with Dad, they took such good care of us and told us how much they loved Dad and how lucky we were to have such a special Dad. We were blessed to be able to spend day and night with him in his last two weeks. We had the privilege of reliving our childhood memories with both laughing and the tears of letting go. Not many are given the opportunity to say goodbye as we were and that time will forever be a treasure, we hold within our hearts. Dad, along with Mom gave us a home where we always were taken care of, felt completely safe, that no problem was too big to solve, and that God would always take care of us. He lived out his faith daily both in action and deeds. He passed away peacefully with his family around him saying the Rosary. While writing this eulogy, we came across this poem, Dad had copied called "A Smile" A smile costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and is nature's best antidote for trouble. Yet if cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give. We end with a quote Dad wrote for his family history book: "With the grace of God and the help of one another we go into the unknown future". Thank you Dad for all you did for us and the good example you set. Until we meet again. Card of Thanks Our family would like to thank Dr. Johnson and the staff at the Battleford District Care Centre for the wonderful care they gave to Dad for many years. The "Fish Philosophy" you follow was very obvious as everyone worked together and was happy to be there. Also a thank you to the Recreation Team at the home, who always had things planned for the residents and their spouses. We would like to thank the staff for allowing us to spend the last two weeks, day and night, with our Dad. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will always be remembered. Thank you to all our employers who were so understanding and supportive during this difficult time. Thank you to Father Val for celebrating the Mass for our Dad and for the lovely lunch supplied by the St. Joseph's CWL. Thank you for the meal supplied by The Servants of Hope Pastoral Care Ministry, St. Joseph's Calasanctius Parish. Thank you everyone for the prayers, phone calls, visits, cards, donations to Battleford District Care Centre, gifts of food and flowers and all your acts of kindness. Thank you for The Masses. Thank you to Robert MacKay of Battleford Funeral Service, for singing Ave Maria, and for his compassionate and professional way of taking care of all arrangements. Words cannot express our gratitude. Rose and family ____________________________________________________
