Viola Patzer

Viola Doreen Patzer, age 74, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 23, 2016. Viola was born on November 11, 1941 in Herbert, SK — the sixth of eight children — to Diedrich & Amanda Schultz. She attended Bethania School ‘which was located uphill both ways from their farm’ until Grade 6 when her family moved to Herbert. Viola attended school there until age 14 and then worked for a couple of years until she married her sweetheart, Albert Patzer, on May 3, 1958 at the Peace Lutheran Church in the Prairie View District. Viola & Albert stayed on the family farm in the same house with Albert’s parents for three years. It was a joy for them to finally purchase a small house to move onto the farm — their own little chicken coop! In 1961, at the age of 19, Viola became a mother with the birth of their son, Wendell. Their family grew quicker than expected, when thirteen months later Lyle arrived, followed by Kelly two years later. Their two-bedroom house was bursting at the seams. In 1966, a tragic accident that claimed the lives of Viola’s in-laws forever changed them. Viola & Albert were now in charge of milking fifteen cows with one milk machine, feeding range cattle, grain farming, raising and butchering pigs and chickens, and making hay. With three boys under the age of 5, Viola very quickly learned to balance the roles of wife, young mother, homemaker, chore hand, and Sunday School teacher. She always had a large garden and ran the household on limited resources. In 1974, the quiver was full with the birth of their fourth son, Darcy. Viola’s health struggles, that she dealt with the rest of her life, began around this time. She worked as a bus driver, sold clothes and kitchen machines, and took census. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, which began at a young age with her mother’s guidance. Though unable to afford Bible camp, Viola was able to earn her way to camp by memorizing 300+ Bible verses in one year. Camp was so rewarding she repeated this the next year. This led to a lifetime of joyful service to the Lord which included teaching Sunday School and VBS, singing in a trio, and involvement in many church activities. A highlight for Viola was singing Handel’s Messiah with the S.C. Oratorio Choir. Bible studies played a huge role in her Christian walk. The lasting friendships that were cultivated here were a very huge part of her life. Viola was predeceased by her husband, Albert Patzer; her parents, Diedrich & Amanda Schultz; her parents-in-law, Adolph & Genovefa Patzer; her siblings, Nora Shostal, Mabel Byam, Elmer Schultz, Raymond Schultz, and Caroline Bowie-Jenkins; and by her in-laws, Anne Schultz, Jack Byam, Joyce Schultz, Florence Schultz, Farida Schultz, Siegfried Patzer, and Karl Kalinowski. She is survived by her sons and their families, Wendell (Wendy) Patzer, Swift Current, SK, their children, Emily (Nathan) Willems – their daughters, Maddie, Brynn and Annika: Megan (Jordan) Rempel – their daughters, Libby, Molly and Georgia: Jeremy (Kyla) Patzer – their children, Jacoby, Jada and Kenzie: Lyle (Laurie) Patzer, Pennant, SK, their children, Aaron (Meghan) Patzer – their daughter, Chloe: Jacie Patzer (Sam): Kelly (Lori) Patzer, DeWinton, AB, their children, Ryan (Christa) Patzer – their son, Jack: Justin (Kirstin) Patzer – their daughters, Rachel and Hannah: Wyatt (Alexandrea) Patzer: Darcy (Rachelle) Patzer, Waldeck, SK, their children, Dayton, Jesse and Kadey; her brothers, Richard Schultz and Eldon Schultz; her in-laws, Arthur (Caroline) Shostal, Rosalind Kalinowski and Kay Patzer; and by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. The Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 2:00 pm from the Church of the Open Bible, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Rob Cochrane officiating. The pianist for the service was Barb Klassen. “How Great Thou Art” and “Softly and Tenderly” were sung by the congregation, led by Rachelle Patzer and Kim Fast, who also performed the special music. Reading of Scripture was done by Pastor Jerred Andreas. The obituary was read by Lorne Patzer and Clark Schultz. The tribute was written by Emily Willems and read by Lorne Patzer. A photo tribute was given by Justin Patzer. The ushers at the church were Darrell Wiebe, Ron Dickie, Robert Klassen, and Harvey Seib. The Interment Service was held at the Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Prairie View, SK prior to the Funeral Service with grandsons Aaron Patzer, Jeremy Patzer, Ryan Patzer, Justin Patzer, Wyatt Patzer, and Jordan Rempel serving as pallbearers.

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