LOUISE WUTZKE

1936 – 2021

Louise Wutzke, beloved wife of the late Bill Wutzke, passed away in Bow Island on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at the age of 85 years.

Those who wish to pay their respects may do so at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday, September 17, 2021 between 1:00 P.M. and 1:45 P.M.

The Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 139 – 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Bow Island Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at www.southlandfuneral.com.

Louise is survived by her best friend Peter Schile of Bow Island; her daughter Lynn Strom of Bow Island and her children Michael (Jennifer) Knapik (their family Hudson, Scout, Poet and Ruby), Leanne Taylor, Lisa Knapik (Chantel Berkley), Sarah (Jon) Lehn and their father Doug (Carol) Knapik; her son Bruce (Cheryl) Wutzke of Grayson, Saskatchewan and their children Eric Wutzke and Rebecca Wutzke (Kirby Spasoff). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Jeni Gibson and by numerous nieces, nephews and special cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband William Wutzke, son-in-law Al Strom, parents Eugene and Katherina Gibson and her brother Harold Gibson.

Louise was born in Medicine Hat on January 13, 1936 to Eugene and Katherina (nee Ditto) Gibson. She attended Conquerville Consolidated School. It was here that she met the love of her life, her sweetheart Bill Wutzke. They began dating when she was in grade four.

Bill and Louise were married on October 29, 1955 and took over the farm when his folks retired to Bow Island. Lynn was born in 1957, followed by Bruce in 1959. Bill took flying lessons and in 1964 they purchased T&D Aerial Spraying Ltd. In 1978, Bill and Louise moved to their new home in Bow Island and relocated their agriculture spray business to the new airport there while continuing to farm.

Together Bill and Louise spent many winters in Arizona as rockhounding snowbirds, and were charter members of the Medicine Hat Rock and Lapidary Club. Bill and Louise made many good friends along the way, adding to their lifelong farm community friends. They officially retired from farming in 2015.

After Bill’s passing in 2017, Louise was given a second chance at true love with Peter Schile. She will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by Peter, her family and her friends.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Louise’s name may be made directly to HALO Air Ambulance, 12, 49 Viscount Avenue SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5G4 (www.haloairambulance.com).