Vetter
David George Vetter was born on Mar. 11, 1929 in Coronation, Alta. and passed away in the Consort Hospital and Care Centre on Dec. 16, 2019 at the age of 90 years.
Dave was the third child and only son of Bannard and Josie Vetter.
He grew up on the family farm near Veteran and attended Stella School.
After leaving school, Dave stayed on the farm, working with his dad.
He spent one winter working in Calgary but said that when spring arrived, he missed the farm and returned home.
One day while attending a baseball game Florence Levie caught Dave’s eye, and the rest became history.
They were married on Nov. 9, 1951, a marriage that lasted just short of 60 years.
They began their marriage by purchasing a farm near Dave’s family farm, and Dave continued to farm, along with his dad.
Two children, daughter Dolores and son Floyd, completed the family.
In addition to farming, Dave worked at the Veteran Auction Market for many years.
He was also a long-time member of the Veteran Lions Club.
Dave always had a love for horses and rodeo, so summers saw the family attending local rodeos and gymkhana events.
Dave was a member of the Veteran Gymkhana Club for many years.
During these years, he started racing pony chariots, a sport he loved.
His favourite trip was going to Oklahoma City to attend the National Finals Rodeo; this trip was the start of his collection of NFR buckles, a collection he was very proud of.
Eventually, Floyd took over the family farm, and Dave and Florence retired and moved to Veteran.
Dave decided he needed more to do, so in addition to helping on the farm when needed, he went to work at the fertilizer plant where he continued to work for several years.
Dave also became interested in local politics and served two terms on town council.
After Florence passed away, Dave moved to the Consort Lodge. Always having been very social, he soon was enjoying all the activities at the lodge.
He was very excited when Global News came to the lodge and did a report on their chair hockey teams.
Dave made sure we all knew when it would be featured on the news so we could see his television debut.
The lodge became home and the residents and staff, his friends.
Many hours were spent visiting, playing games, bingo and crib, which was his favourite. He found a crib partner when Ed moved in, and they played most evenings.
Dave had a sweet tooth, and there was always a dish of toffees on his table to be shared with the staff, doctors or with anyone stopping in for a visit.
Dave enjoyed spending time with family and was always interested in what everyone was up to. We could always count on Dave to lend a helping hand with whatever we needed.
His grandchildren have special memories of him being at hockey games, taking them hunting, teaching them the game of crib, or going fishing.
As great-grandchildren arrived, he had new hockey players, curlers, baseball players, mutton busters and barrel racers to keep track of.
Dave was predeceased by his wife Florence; parents Bannard and Josie Vetter; sisters Marie Bishell, Naomi Farris, and Rosemary Kelts; nephew Wayne Bishell and niece Connie Mogck.
Dave is survived by daughter Dolores (Pat) Cuthbertson; son Floyd (Sheila) Vetter; grandchildren Jeff (Michelle) Cuthbertson, Kelly Vetter, Carley (Chad) Wittmack; and his great-grandchildren, Presley and Tate Cuthbertson, Raina and Weston Wittmack;
He is also survived by brother in law Ervin (Rita) Levie; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
A funeral service for the late David George Vetter was held on Wed., Jan. 8, 2020 at the Veteran Community Hall, Veteran, Alta.
Donations in memory are gratefully accepted to Consort Long Term Care c/o Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, P.O. Box 186, Castor, Alta. T0C 0X0, 403-578- 3777, who were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements.
To send condolences to the family, please visit www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
