It is with broken hearts that the family of Irene Neitz, beloved wife of the late Ernest Neitz,
announce her passing on February 9, 2025 with family by her side, just two days after her
92nd birthday.

Left to cherish Irene’s memory are her daughter Brenda (Norman) Duchscherer, son Dean
(Caroline) Neitz and daughter Sheryl (Rick) Ahner; five grandchildren, Charlotte (Phil) Regnier,
Justin Ahner, Jenise Ahner (Goran Pljuco), Amanda (Keegan) Martin and Raeann Neitz (Chris
Hein); six great-grandchildren, Alyssia Hawn (Kevin Deering), Ryan Regnier (Grace Battal),
Brett (Jenny) Regnier, Oliver and Austin Pljuco and Remi Ahner; three great-greatgrandchildren,
Kiara and Grayson Hawn and Gabriel Regnier; as well as a brother Bill (Janet)
Albrecht and sister Phyllis Albrecht.

She was predeceased by her husband Ernest in 2019 and her daughter Gloria in 2024, her
parents Gottlieb and Lydia Albrecht, two sisters Anna Lippert and Doreen Sparrow, and two
great-great grandchildren Gage and Michael Hawn.

Irene was born on February 7, 1933, in the Krupp School District, which was situated 15 miles
southeast of Burstall, to Gottlieb and Lydia Albrecht. She was the eldest of 5 children. In
1944, the family moved to Burstall when Gottlieb purchased her Grandpa Herrmann’s
garage. After completing her Grade 12 she accepted a teaching position at Bell School at
Sceptre where she taught for the 1951/52 school term and then at Vabor School north of
Golden Prairie in 1952/53. It was while she was teaching at Vabor School that she met
Ernest. They were married on October 28, 1953 and settled on the farm Ernest’s parents
homesteaded in 1905.

Irene loved farm life. She loved being outdoors, working alongside Ernest and Dean on the
farm. She always had a huge garden and spent many hours tending it and then
freezing/canning produce. She made the best chokecherry jelly and kuchen with homemade
cottage cheese. Family favorites were strudels and dumplings. Over the years Irene did a lot
of sewing. She sewed many of her own dresses, western shirts for Ernest and Dean, dresses
for Brenda as well as matching dresses for Sheryl and Gloria. Irene also made curtains for
their home and spent many hours patching work clothes as times were tough. The girls
remember all the doll clothes their mom made.

In 1971, Ernest and Irene imported the first of seven Simmental cows, six from France and
one from Germany. That was the beginning of EDN Simmentals. She enjoyed working with
the cattle, especially at calving time and became quite attached to many of them. She often
checked the cattle at night and was out every day helping with chores. She did all the record
keeping which as anyone with purebred cattle knows, it is endless.

In 1958 Ernest started to rodeo, working the calf and team roping events. Irene, along with
the kids, covered many miles on the rodeo circuit with him. She had dreams of barrel racing
but lost the desire when she was thrown from a horse and was knocked unconscious.
In December 1997, Ernest and Irene retired and moved to Medicine Hat. They made their
home in Park Meadows Lane. They continued to be actively involved with the farm. They
made another move in 2012, to Chinook Village. Brenda and Norman purchased Rustler's
Corral in 2000. Irene spent every day at the restaurant working in the office until it was sold
in 2015.

Irene loved to play Scrabble and was a formidable opponent for anyone who played with her.
Family was everything to Irene. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly and looked
forward to their visits. She cherished time spent with them.

Irene had an unwavering faith in God. She was known for her kindness and ready smile. She
will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jeraj and the staff at Sunnyside Nursing Home for the care she received.

Those who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

The funeral service will be held in the VICTORY LUTHERAN CHURCH (2793 Southview Drive SE) on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Roland Weisbrot officiating.   The service will be live streamed.  Those who wish to attend virtually, please use this link:  victorylutheran.ca/livestream 

 Interment will take place in Hillside Cemetery.