July 20, 1928 - September 25, 2021
It is with heavy hearts and gratitude for a life well lived that the family of Klaus Odersky announce his passing on September 25, 2021.
Klaus Johannes Peter Odersky was born on July 20, 1928, in Beuthen, Province of Schlesien, Germany to Ernst and Franziska Odersky. He was the youngest of 5 brothers and one younger sister. As a youngster he was encouraged to be a baker like his father, as his father ran a successful bakery and coffee house. But Klaus’s interests were more into farming.
When the war broke out all hopes and dreams were put on hold. In 1941, his father passed away and Klaus was only 12 years of age. Klaus was drafted to the army in January 1945, he was 16 years of age. It didn’t take long and he was captured and put into a Russian prison cell in Austria. Conditions were poor and many died of starvation and disease. He lost a lot of weight and when seen by the physician he was under 90 lbs. She didn’t think he would make it and in turn, he was discharged from service. He was homeless, hungry, and looking for food to survive.
In 1952, Klaus immigrated to Canada with the help of a Manitoba farmer as a sponsor and had worked there for a year. Then with no more work, he moved west and was able to get a job with the CPR in Atlee and then Majestic, Alberta for 95 cents an hour. While working there, he was still dreaming of becoming a farmer and also trying to find someone to share this dream with. Klaus was responding to letters from other immigrants and wanting to connect with Europeans. After writing a few letters to a young lady named Emilie, they finally met and Emilie said to her father, this is going to be my husband!
After 8 months they were married on November 20, 1954. Both still working in Calgary but still dreaming of owning a farm of their own, they found some property near Olds. They purchased the land and started a family and farming their dream. Their first child Monika was born in February 1957. In April 1957, they moved to Olds. Klaus was farming and also worked for the Town of Olds, drove school bus for 5 years plus milking cows, and raising crops. Ernst was born in 1959, then Evelyn in 1963. After working hard and building a very viable farming operation, Klaus and Emilie were able to slow down and travel more as Ernie was doing most of the farming now. It was the best time of their lives working together and with their family on a farm, which was his wish as a young man. He along with his wife accomplished all that and celebrated 60 years of marriage together in 2014.
He has always been very proud of his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. What started off as two young adults meeting in Calgary back in March of 1954 has extended to a family of 26 members. Our Opa used the expression “it couldn’t be any better” when things went well. Yes, it couldn’t be any better that he and Oma moved into the lodge together back in 2012, and it couldn’t be any better that his 3 kids called him every day after Oma passed away in 2015. When visiting with his senior friends, he always said to them, you should move into the lodge, it couldn’t be any better, they take such great care of us. He was a strong advocate for the Mount View Lodge. Opa’s birthday pool and pizza parties are always an annual event in our family, he was so happy to see his entire family all together, he would say, “it couldn’t be any better!” And now Opa is with our Oma, it really couldn’t be any better now.
Klaus will lovingly be remembered by his family Monika (Steve) Horne, Ernie (Tammy) Odersky, Evelyn (Gerald) Smith; grandchildren Stacy (Nathan) Anderson, Christina Horne, Jessica (Will) Adie, Sara Odersky, Rachael (Lukas) Pollock, Jordan, Britni, Dayna Smith; great-grandchildren Jonathan, Brayden, Allison, Quinn, Lilley Anderson and Corbin and Claire Adie.
There was a private family service held on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Olds. Memorial tributes may be made directly to the Olds & District Hospice Society. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd, Olds entrusted with arrangements. 403-507-8610 Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
