May 18, 1937 - March 12, 2021
George William Steckler, beloved husband of Margery Steckler, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021 in Olds, Alberta following a long battle with cancer.
George the youngest child of Zaccheus and Eva Steckler, was born on May 18, 1937 in Davidson, Saskatchewan and grew up on a farm near Craik, Saskatchewan. After graduating from Campion College in Regina and Notre Dame at Wilcox, Saskatchewan, he worked at several jobs which included the Bank of Montreal, Calgary Power, as well as working on a survey crew prior to the construction of the Brazeau Dam. He then attended S.A.I.T. where he earned his Journeyman ticket as a welder which involved travel throughout Alberta and British Columbia. Some of these jobs included work on the Calgary Tower, several buildings at Olds College, the Abraham Lake dam, and numerous gas plants around the province as well as construction of the mine for Fording Coal at Sparwood, British Columbia. All the while farming was his dream and he soon found himself back at Craik, Saskatchewan where he helped his father on the farm, eventually purchasing the farm from his father. His summers were spent farming and during the winter months he returned to Calgary to work.
While visiting a friend in High River in November 1967, he met Margery Fraser who would become his wife a year later. After much discussion it was decided to rent the land in Saskatchewan and move to Alberta. This resulted in the purchase of a half section of land 5 miles west of Didsbury, Alberta in October 1972. George became active with the Didsbury Lions Club, the Elks Lodge, the Melvin Community Group as well as helping out with the Annual Didsbury Parade. He enjoyed spending time with friends hunting, rafting the Red Deer River, ice fishing and riding around on his quad. His joy of gardening helped stock the freezer and feed many friends. He was always trying to beat his record for the tallest sunflower with the biggest bloom. Increasing health issues resulted in him retiring in 2003 and renting the farm. However, his interest in farming never stopped and he enjoyed going out to the field and inspecting the crop with great regularity.
Then came a 5th wheel trailer which provided George and Marge an opportunity to take several trips throughout Canada and the United States. Other interesting trips included China, Cuba, Panama Cruise, and New York City. George is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margery; his brother, Carl and sister-in-law, Marina Steckler of Moose Jaw; brother-in-law, Gordon Fraser (Edra) of High River; sister-in-law, Connie Fraser; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families and many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Zaccheus; mother, Eva; brother, Walter; and sisters, Hilda Makellky, Cathren Steckler, Freda Ward, Marie Woods and Rose Greene.
Having no children of their own, George and Marge laid claim to the children and grandchildren of special friends, Birgit Due and her family - Maryann and Kevin Kurtz, Nick Kurtz, Kirsten and Dylon Boyer and great-grandchildren, Korben and McKinley; Ruth and Doug Pearce and their family; Natasha and Mike Bell, Kailyn and Mitchell and Christopher and Colette Pearce and Joshua and Carter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Rosebud Health Foundation to be directed to Didsbury Home Care, PO Box 962, Didsbury, AB, TOM 0W0. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.myalternatives.ca.
