ARTHUR LEWIS BROTZELL

April 19, 1930 ~ May 25, 2013

It is with profound sadness that the family of Arthur Lewis Brotzell, beloved husband of Jean Brotzell of Redcliff, announce his passing at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at the age of 83 years.  Arthur was born in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan on April 19, 1930.  Losing his parents in his teens, Arthur found himself on his own.  He worked on various ranches before moving to Cranbrook and taking on work logging.  While there, a family took him in, and that became “home” for him.  Arthur really liked the Queen Charlotte Islands.  He joined the Army and was stationed in many places before finally taking a post in Calgary to be deployed to South Korea as special forces with the Lord Strathcona’s Light Horse Regiment.  Arthur met Jean McConnell in Calgary and they were married in July 1951.  In 1952, he went to Korea and was overseas when his first child was born in June 1952.  Being injured in action, two of his friends received awards for rescuing him from under fire.  Arthur eventually returned home and began farming with his wife.  They managed to pay for the farm and raise seven children, five daughters and two sons.  Together they worked hard and were very successful.  While farming, Arthur started another business of adapting safety measures on new and innovative ways of working with the farm machinery of the day.  For his hard work and dedication, Arthur received an Award of Merit from the Government.  Jean and Arthur enjoyed travelling a lot and visited many places throughout the years.  He was involved with the Army Cadets and ran the program for a number of years in the Brock area.  They retired to Redcliff in 1995, where they enjoyed the area and the many fine people of the Town.  As a hobby and for his love of the game, Arthur made a few hundred crib pegs for crib boards.  Along with another Veteran, they raised money for the mural on the Redcliff Legion wall, with enough donations left over to contribute a large sum of money to the Legion in recognition of the Year of the Veteran.  Arthur enjoyed life.  He was a great husband, father and grandfather who will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends.  Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, May 30, 2013, between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. as well as on Friday, May 31, 2013, between 10:00 A.M. and 10:55 A.M.  A Celebration of Art’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Friday at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Blaine Schaufele officiating.  A time of fellowship will follow in the Cook Southland Reception Center.  (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com)  If friends so desire, tributes in memory of Arthur may be made directly to the Southern Alberta Renal Program, c/o the Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, 666 – 5 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6.  Honoured to serve the family is COOK SOUTHLAND Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4.  Telephone:  403-527-6455.