EDMUND CALVIN KECK

May 9, 1928 ~ May 10, 2022

It is with profound sadness we announce that our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Edmund Keck, has passed away peacefully at the AgeCare Riverview Care Center where he resided for the last 3 months.

Edmund (affectionately known as Ed or Eddie) was born in Buffalo Head, SK, to parents, Edward and Bertha Keck (nee Hepper). He grew up on a farm near Horsham, SK, along the Alberta border. He married Anne Hudec in 1951 and together they had 8 children.

His love for the land saw Ed start farming at the age of 15. As a younger man, Ed enjoyed the horses on the farm. He depended on them to pull the farming equipment until 1947 when the first tractor was purchased. Through hard work and perseverance, Ed was able to own his land at the age of 24 and continued this labour of love for the next 45 to 50 years. After his father retired, Ed eventually bought the family farm and managed to increase the size of it considerably to match the needs of his growing family. He also worked at a gas company for several years to supplement his farming income.

After retiring from farming in 1985, Ed started a company that provided backhoe and hauling services to the oil and gas industry. He continued with this business until 1988, after which he retired to Medicine Hat.

Although he liked his cars, those who knew Ed best knew he was “a truck guy”, and this was evident through the 30 or more new trucks he purchased throughout his lifetime. He was very proud of his Chevys!

Ed loved his sports, baseball, golf, billiards and curling in particular. He participated in many ball tournaments in his youth and certainly won his share of curling bonspiels over the years. He also enjoyed taking his kids to their baseball games, volleyball games, curling games or piano lessons. For his 80th birthday, he finally had the opportunity to see a major league baseball game in Phoenix, Arizona, one of his many highlights. May he swing to the fences alongside his baseball heroes!

Ed was also a renowned bridge player in Medicine Hat. He enjoyed playing all card games, reading historical books, and the New York Times crossword puzzle. He had immense knowledge of old cars and participated in the restoration of two antique vehicles. He was also instrumental in the complete restoration of the old farmhouse where the family lived for many years. Ed was very community minded and gave back by belonging to the Knights of Columbus and many other community organizations.

Ed was a big man with a big heart, compassionate and giving. He will be missed immensely by his children, Patrick, Michael (Arlene), Stuart (Sandi), Colleen (Mark), David (Nadine), Yvonne, James (Melanie) and Kevin (Fameena); 19 grandchildren, Nicole (Jared), Rhonda, Laura (Johnathan), Adam, Kristopher (Rheanna), Jeffrey, Craig, Eric (Anouk), Christine (Josh), Evan, Nathan, Daniel, Jillianne, Emily, Michael, Ian, Keely, Zach and Justin; 7 great-grandchildren, Danielle, Bradyn, Hatchett, Max, Neva, Gemmalena and Brayden as well as his many nieces, nephews, in-laws and numerous friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Bertha; brother in infancy, Albert; sisters, Irma Hardy, Amanda McDonald, Ester (in infancy), Eleanor Mudry and Agnes Wiley; daughter-in-law, Louise Keck and long time companion, Shirley Torrie.

Ed viewed his greatest legacy as his children and their families, taking pride in their many accomplishments. The memory of his gentle soul will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives he touched.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Thursday, May 19, 2022, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Celebration of Ed’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on Friday, May 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. A time of fellowship will follow in the Cook Southland Reception Facility with Private Interment set to take place later in the day. The Celebration of Ed’s life will be live streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience Ed’s service should visit www.cooksouthland.com and select the view broadcast button on the homepage at service time. Those wishing to remember Ed may do so through a donation directly to Alberta Lung (103, 1259 – 91 Street S.W., Edmonton, AB., T6X 1E9) or the Calgary COPD & Asthma Program (payable to the University of Calgary at 4C, 60 – 3280 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB., T2N 4Z6) (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) 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”