CHESTER WELTE

1941 ~ CHESTER WELTE ~ 2023 It is with heavy hearts that the family of Chester Jesse Welte announce his passing in Medicine Hat, AB on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the age of 81 years. Left to cherish Chester’s memory is his loving wife of 57 years, Bernice Welte (Kopp), and their three sons, Warren, Wayne and Wade “Jig” (Tammy). Chester will forever be cherished by his grandchildren, Wryder and Tayler; also survived by his sisters, Shirley Kozij, Sharon (Alick) Newton, Lynette (Alvin) Ziola; sister-in-law, Lorraine Welte; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Chester was predeceased by his parents, Ione and Jesse; his brother, Al; and brother in-law, Nick Kozij. Chester was born on June 10, 1941 in Rose Valley, SK and later graduated from school in Kelvington. Chester grew up on the family farm between Hendon and Fosston. After graduation, he left the family farm and started his first job at the hardware store in Brownlee, SK, where he lived in the second floor of the train station. After the hardware store, he was hired by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool as a grain buyer and worked at the elevators in the White Bear, Tyner, and Lacadena area. Sometime shortly before 1963, he accepted a transfer and headed to the elevator at Gascogne, near Mendham. In October 1963, his life would change forever as he met his future wife, Bernice Kopp, on a blind date set up by his good buddy, Art Angerman. In May 1965, he accepted another transfer, this time to Tunstall. On August 7th, 1965, he and Bernice were married. The first of three sons, Warren, was born in 1966 and Wayne followed in 1967. Chester began his long career in the gas patch in May 1969 when he accepted a job with North Canadian Oil. The youngest son, Wade “Jig”, was born and shortly after in September 1973, Bernice and Chester purchased a house, that is still the family home, and moved to Richmound. Chester spent the next four decades working in the patch for NCO, Norcen, and Southwest Oil & Gas. He ended his career working for the City of Medicine Hat in the gas department in Southwest Saskatchewan. He loved his time in the patch and spent numerous years as a foreman. As a foreman, he was able to give a lot of people their starts and helped a lot of people with their businesses in the area. He was tough, but a well respected and well liked foreman. He played a role in having the NCO field office (which is currently home to the RM of Enterprise and the village of Richmound) built in town. A short time after his retirement, his grandchildren, Wryder (2006) and Tayler (2009) were born. Chester loved taking annual vacations with his family. He loved going for “drives” with Bernice. Another of his favorite things was always going out for coffee with the guys in the morning and he would routinely be the first one there, waiting for the other coffee guys to show up. Chester also loved to watch his children and grandchildren do their activities. He rarely missed anything that they were doing, from hockey, baseball, curling, volleyball, or anything and everything in between. The Memorial Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB on Thursday, March 30th, 2023 at 1:00 pm with Celebrant, Fr. Roque Periera. If unable to attend, family and friends are welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to www.saamis.com and joining the live webcast on Chester’s memorial page at the above date and time. A virtual guest book is available on the livestream page for those participating remotely. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Chester’s memory may be made to S.T.A.R.S. Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society, Hangar 21, 2475 Airport Rd, Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M4. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Chester Welte. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to

SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL
CHAPEL CREMATORIUM &
RECEPTION CENTRE,
“The Chapel in the Park
#1 Dunmore Road SE,
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Z5
(403)528-2599
www.saamis.com
inquiry@saamis.com
Locally owned and directed
CGR Holdings Ltd.