OBITUARY
David Clarens Gitzel
8 October , 1931 – 21 March , 2018
David Clarens Gitzel was born October 8, 1931 to Herman and Alma (nee Fisher) Gitzel in Golden Spike, Alberta. David had an older sister Doris and younger sister Cora. He started school in Golden Spike, then in 1940 the Herman Gitzel family bought a farm called Dawning Acers on Fruitland Road near Thorsby, Alberta. David finished Grade 8 at the Fruitland School and then farmed with his parents until 1968, when they retired and moved to Thorsby. He had many happy memories of those days on the farm working in the fields, looking after the animals, chopping wood to keep the wood box full for his mother. Since in his words, she “used a lot of wood”. David worked hard but loved the farming life.
On August 1, 1969 David married Ione Yvonne Smith the love of his life. Together they farmed on the Gitzel family farm until they retired and moved to Leduc in October 1999. Do to health issues, David moved to Edmonton in July 2017, but his heart was still in the country.
David played many sports and games including baseball, hockey, curling and bowling. He appreciated a good game of pool and really enjoyed golfing. He liked playing games and he was very competitive in whatever activity he joined. David enjoyed camping and traveling with Ione and good friends. He was a very social person and loved to visit with friends and family over a good meal and have a good laugh.
He was the devoted caregiver to his father Herman and his wife Ione who he lost both in 2008. This was very hard on David but he was lucky to have the support of family especially his nieces and nephews Arlene and Paul Hubben and Roger and Alda Gunsch and their families. Many friends, especially Fred and Ruth Rolof and his church community.
David had a strong faith in God. He was baptized in the St. Johannes Lutheran Church in Golden Spike, Confirmed in St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Thorsby and became a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Leduc February 5, 1952. He married Ione at St. Peters Lutheran Church in 1969. St. Peters became like a second family to them, they became very involved in the church making lifelong friends.
David leaves to cherish his memory, his sister Cora and bother-in law Frank Nuspel, his Godchildren David Hubben, Jessica and Ashley Gunsch who were very special to him. Also many nieces, nephews and their families, and numerous friends.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de David Clarens Gitzel 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: leduc, Province: Alberta
