Terry Schetzsle was born Nov. 6, 1942 and passed away Nov. 22, 2016 in the Coronation Hospital with his wife and family by his side.
He was raised on the family farm at Little Gem, Ab., but his favourite place was Naco, Ab., where he spent a great deal of time with his grandparents, James and Mary Schetzsle and was often homesick for Naco when he had to go home from their place.
In spite of his mother being a schoolteacher, Terry never much liked school and quit in grade eleven to join the working world on oil rigs.
However, he was a self-made man. He read voraciously everything he could get his hands on about the business world and how to be successful in whatever he did.
This proved to be the best education as he moved through life, for he went out on a limb many times in different ventures and while failures were not non-existent, they were few.
Terry and Linda were married Aug. 27, 1966 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past summer in conjunction with the 100th year anniversary of the Schetzsle Family Farm, an event that he was determined to make the very best.
He had such a good time at that celebration and was happy to be surrounded by extended family and friends; he loved to reminisce about ‘the good old days’.
Terry was a cattleman, first and foremost, but to achieve that goal and to obtain a herd of his own, he had to have other careers.
In 1968 he took over the Shell Bulk Plant from Martin Olsen. In 1972, he added the mobile feed truck to his work load, running the two businesses simultaneously, as well as growing his cow herd and spending every spare minute haying.
In the midst of all of these work ventures he still made time to play ball, first with the Coronation Cardinals, then putting together the Veteran Angels, and spearheading the construction of the mens ball diamond in Veteran, which is now being used by the EC Bulls AAA Midget team on which his grandson plays.
Loading up his family and a picnic box, to spend a weekend playing ball somewhere, made happy days for Terry, just as following the Bulls team in recent years did, as well.
In 1978 he got out of the Shell business, bought his own ranch and continued to do the things he loved, increasing the cattle herd, calving, haying, swathing, baling; all things country.
In 1989, Terry sold his beloved cow herd to purchase Veteran Auction Market. It became Schetzsle Livestock Inc. and was the new love of his life for the next 11 years. Even after 2000, when he no longer owned it, sale day was the best day of his week.
Terry was a true community man, sponsoring and/or organizing and attending local events.
He was the ultimate ‘visitor’, talking to as many people as he could possibly fit in during an event. “Holding court” he called it. If there was a ball game in town he’d be the first one in the stands and was never shy about voicing his opinion, whether it be about a bad call at the plate or the latest political controversy.
He was also a good family man, extremely proud of his children and would do most anything for his grandchildren.
Terry was predeceased by his parents, Pat and Francis Schetzsle, his brother Danny in 1962, sister Sharon Wilson in 2007 and sister Colleen in 2015.
He leaves to mourn, his wife Linda, his daughters Paula (Travis) Galenzoski and Nancy (Kurt) Ashbaugh, and his son Graham (Jen) Schetzsle; his grandchildren Grayson and Dixon Galenzoski, Connor, Lauren and Rowan Ashbaugh and Hayden and Abby Schetzsle.
Funeral services were held on Nov. 28 in the Veteran Full Gospel Church with Pastor Darrel Durksen officiating.
Tributes were given by his children, Graham and Paula. The eulogy was given by Daryl Sankey.
Interment took place at Veteran Cemetery with son Graham as pallbearer.
Family and friends gathered in the Veteran Community Hall for a time of sharing and a luncheon by the Veteran Full Gospel Ladies.
Memorial donations may be made to Communities in Bloom, Veteran Library or Veteran Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. 403-578-3777
