HORVATH, Angelika

ANGELIKA HORVATH 1932 – 2023 Our beautiful, kind, and loving mother, Angelika Horvath (nee Kieselbach) left this earthly world on Friday, June 9, 2023, a few hours after all her daughters were able to gather at her side.
Angelika (Angie), beloved wife of the late Anthony (Tony) Horvath, was born October 24, 1932, in Neuborn, Russia/Ukraine, the first child for German parents, Emil and Margaret Kieselbach. After enduring the challenging consequences of World War II, Angelika was eventually able to immigrate to Canada with her parents, sister Hilde and brother, Leo. The family settled in Southern Alberta and found employment as farmhands and domestic workers.
On an excursion to Galt Gardens, a most popular hub in Lethbridge during the early fifties, Angie happened to meet Tony Horvath, and promptly fell in love. They married in 1954 at St. Patrick Church and celebrated nearly 68 years together prior to Tony’s death in March of 2022.
Angie, possessing outstanding talents as a credentialed tailor/seamstress, was also employed at several businesses, and eventually became the manager of the Alterations department at Sears (1967 – 1987). Upon retirement, she continued offering her fabulous sewing services for several decades. Angie created numerous beautiful wedding dresses and formal wear and she was sought out for her precise alteration skills on men’s suits and many other clothing items. She would often create matching outfits for her young daughters, which received many compliments. Her family members kept her busy with their many sewing needs, which she so graciously accommodated over the years.
As a dedicated wife, Angie supported her husband’s numerous ventures and activities and, although she never played a musical instrument herself, she ensured all her children had this opportunity. The couple enjoyed lots of adventures in their retirement, camping at their favorite locations. They were able to purchase property at Lake McGregor country estates and spent many enjoyable years there, making numerous friendships in the area.
Gardening was a favorite activity for Angie, who devoted hours to her beautiful garden beds and flower displays. She loved animals and always had bird feeders in the yard, a cat or two in her household, and cared for any creature in need. Her house was immaculate, the meals she cooked were delicious and her recipes continue to be made by family members in her honor.
Our mother volunteered countless hours for numerous local societies and endeavors, including St. Basil CWL, Southern Alberta Ethnic Association, Hungarian Oldtimers Club, and the Hungarian Cultural Society. Never seeking the limelight, Angie assisted in the kitchen, did cleanup, worked bingos and casinos for charities, and sewed hundreds of performance costumes for some local elementary schools.
Although reluctant to leave the family home and move into assisted-living, Angie was appreciative of every kindness and act of care provided by the staff of St. Therese Ville. Isolation during the Covid pandemic lockdowns was challenging so she treasured window visits and FaceTime video chats with her family. Celebrating her 90th birthday with family members brought her tremendous joy as she was the most content when in the company of her extended family.
Angelika is survived and lovingly remembered by her four daughters: Valeria Lazzaretto (Lethbridge) and her children: Danille Lazzaretto-Green (Jeff), Marina Lazzaretto (New York City), and Adam (Jessica) Lazzaretto (Calgary); Margaret (Terry) Miller (Edmonton) and her children: Ilyan Amadeus (Danielle) Lorieau-Peruch, and Ambyr (Casey) Miller; Angelika (Ken) Enns (Drumheller) and her children: Lancelot Enns-Horvath, Andrew (Alyshia) Enns, and Lorraine Seright; Elizabeth (Jim) Desroches (Calgary) and her children: Mark (Ellie) Micklich (Edmonton), Amanda (Geordie) Turner, and Stephanie (Paul) Snider. In addition, Angie and Tony were blessed with 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Angelika is survived by her brother, Leo (Bev) Kieselbach (Lethbridge), brother-in-law John Szabo (Calgary), and sister-in-law, Valerie (Matt) Lutter (Stirling), as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with her husband Tony, she now joins her parents, granddaughter, Bryna-Jayne Miller-Butler, sisters Valeria (infancy) and Hilde Szabo in eternal slumber.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 17, 2023 at ST. BASILS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 – 13 STREET NORTH, LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, with Father Kevin Tumback, celebrant.
Flowers are graciously declined, with a preference of in memoriam donations to the All Saints Parish new building fund 2405 – 12 avenue South T1K 0P4, the Lethbridge Symphony inside the 11th street doors to Southminster Hall, 1011 4 avenue south, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0P7 or a charity of personal choice.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.