Obituary of Albert Kattler

It is with a profound sense of loss and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Albert on Friday, September 9, 2016. Albert was born March 12, 1915 in rural Saskatchewan, the sixth of seven children to young Austrian immigrants, Ludwig Kattler and Maria (Sauer) Kattler. He will be forever missed and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Sandy (Jim) Carton, Penhold, AB and Dianna Waffle, Regina, SK along with his grandchildren, Adena Waffle, of B.C., James (Cynthia) Carton, Deanna Bara, Cherie (Len) Lamb, and Vickie Bailey, all of AB and nine great-grandchildren, Catlin (son, Tristan), Averly, Tanner, Brett, Josh, Coleson, Cylis, Kennedy and Parker. Albert will also be deeply missed by many other family and friends – his hunting and fishing buddies were a huge part of Albert’s life for many of his 101 years. Vernon Kattler, the son he never had held a huge place in his heart as did his other nieces and nephews who remained in contact with him over these many years. Dad was the “glue that held family together”. He lost his own sweet Mother at the tender age of 1 ½ and when the Kattler family grew to include stepmother, Kadarina, and six more siblings it was Albert who was the constant. There was never a time he wasn’t in touch with his siblings and their families. Albert was always a man you could count on. He was somewhat quiet yet held strong convictions and if you didn’t want to hear his thoughts you knew better than to ask! He met the little redhead who would steal his heart away in the winter of 1938, they married in 1940 and spent just months short of 65 married years together raising a family, always a positive part of the local and global community and always, always enjoying what life had to offer. Along with so many Canadians, Albert enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed overseas during WW11. The year following his return to Canada, he and Hazel bought a small farm north of Regina where they continued their married life and started a family. In 1951 Dad re-enlisted in the RCAF and we spent the next years in one air force base or another – Cold Lake, AB really was not that much different than Toronto, ON. Dad was an avid outdoorsman – both hunting and fishing well into his late 80’s. He loved nature, country roads, camping beside lakes, plucking a guitar, playing the mouth organ, a little singing, and dancing. He had a special way with children who often called him “Mr. Wee” because he’d pick them up and swing them over his head saying “wee”. In 1965 Albert retired from the RCAF at the old age of 50. The family moved back to Regina where we continued to own a small farm which was leased to our dearest family friends, the Wagners, and the plan was to actually build a home and live on the farm – however not do the work. The December of 1965 following a successful deer hunt, Albert was taken to hospital and within a very short time his right leg was amputated above the knee. Albert continued hunting, fishing and living life to the fullest until the love of his life, Hazel Nellie (Berenson) Kattler, became ill in 2003 and passed away on February 25, 2005. Albert will be laid to rest next to his beloved Hazel. It is with tears and joy that we celebrate the reunion of our dearly loved parents, Albert and Hazel Kattler. They are now together for all eternity. Flowers most gratefully declined. Friends so wishing, may make a donation in Albert’s memory to The War Amps, 2827 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1V 0C4. Pastor Dennis Hendricksen will conduct a graveside service at Regina Memorial Gardens, 4001 East Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK on Friday, September 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com “You are loved and will be missed but it’s time for you to rest.”