ANNA ‘LENA’ GUTFRIEND

Posted: August 25th, 2021

November 18, 1934 ~ August 18, 2021

 

It is with great sadness that we the family, announce the passing of our mother Anna Magdalena Gutfriend (nee Herle) on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at the age of 86 years. Lena was born in Prelate, SK., on November 18, 1934, the youngest child to Frank and Alice (nee Aberle) Herle. She grew up with her sister, Rosella (John) Mastel and brother, Wendlin (Joyce) Herle on the family farm near Blumenfeld, SK. Mom moved to Medicine Hat where she started working at Safeway for the next 35 years. She enjoyed the customers she met on Crescent Heights and the colleagues that became life long friends.

 

Lena married her husband, Tom Gutfriend in April 1958, in the Blumenfeld Catholic Church. They built a life for themselves in Medicine Hat and together they travelled throughout Canada, USA, and Europe. She was a dedicated Catholic and devoted many years on the CWL and bereavement group until her health started to deteriorate. Tom and Lena were avid sports fans and held season tickets to the Tigers for many years. Lena loved dancing, the theatre, and playing cards with friends. Her house was always filled with canning, cabbage rolls, the smell of freshly baked buns, and her famous apple strudel.

 

Lena was so proud of being a mother to her three children, Blake (Carlene), Brent (Susan) and Alison (Mark) Ellis. She also loved her nieces and nephews she shared time with. Her greatest love and best role was being a grandmother to ten and great-grandmother to four. Blake & Carlene’s children: Veston (Amanda), Logan (Terryn) Kinley and Brooklyn, Ethan (Nicole) and Walker Gutfriend. Brent & Susan’s children: Amber Shantz (Mark) Marshall, Elle, and Wyatt Gutfriend. Alison and Mark’s children: Morgan Warren (Riley), Katelyn Branden (Grady), Ty (Gage), and Clay Ellis. She will always be remembered as the loudest cheerleader in the crowd. Her generosity and love for each of them was abundant. Our hearts will miss her hearty laugh, quick wit, being a straight shooter and most of all her nurturing love for all of us.

 

Lena is also survived by her sister, Rosella Mastel; sisters-in-law, Irene (Tim) Hammel and Lena Sears. She was predeceased by her loving and faithful husband, Tom Gutfriend; brother, Wendlin (Joyce) Herle; brothers-in-law, John Mastel, Gerry Sears, Albin Gutfriend, and Val (Jackie) Gutfriend; sisters- in-law, Jenny Schnell, Jake Schnell, and Anne Marie (Ted Maskell); nephews Darryl Schnell, Wayne Schnell and Bill Prosser.

 

A Funeral Mass honouring Anna’s life will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 – 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. with Father Roque Pereira celebrant. A spoken tribute will take place prior to Mass beginning at 8:45 a.m. A time of fellowship will be held thereafter in the church hall. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com). If friends so desire, memorial donations in Lena’s name may be made directly to AJ’s Loan Cupboard, Bay 4-602A, Clay Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 3K2. Honoured to serve the family is

 

 

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 www.cooksouthland.com”Locally owned & directed”