Alexander Assenheimer

We are gathered here to celebrate the life of Alexander Assenheimer, known as Alex. Today we are remembering not the confused, and frustrated man whose memory Alzheimer’s took but the kind, patient, loving and skilled man, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was born is Kiev, Russia, in 1922, moving to Canada when he was 3 years old. They lived with relatives in the Leduc area then moved to the Barrhead area in 1927. They homesteaded a quarter of land which was just across the road from where he would eventually settle and raise his family.

He lived in the Lunnford area with a short time spent farming in Highridge and living in the town of Barrhead but mostly he was a local. He started working as a farm hand when he was 14 years old for Walter O’Brien and worked hard enough and well enough that his bonus was a horse so he didn’t have to walk to work. He married Lydia Goltz in 1947 on Halloween Day and they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last month. They moved several times during the early years of their marriage. They had three children, Clarence in 1950, Diane in 1953 and Jerry in 1962.

Alex was an amazingly skilled and adaptable worker. He tried to farm in Highridge and then he worked for his best boss, Walter Bell as a mechanic. He farmed again in the Lunnford area and although their crops were hailed three years in a row, he didn’t quit. He was happiest when he had a chain saw in his hand. He worked as a lumberjack (to supplement the farm income) in bush camps and when the need arose, he also was their cook. Alex sold his land to his son and easily stepped back and allowed Clarence to make his own mistakes. However, he was always ready to drive the combine when Clarence needed help in the fall. When he was 80 years old, Clarence asked him to come help saw down a big spruce tree near Clarence’s house. Alex was so happy. He fell the large spruce right where he planned and then carefully resharpened the saw Clarence had just finished sharpening and then cut the tree for firewood. Alex started a small power store in Barrhead in the eighties where he sold and fixed all kinds of small motors with his nephew, Ken Assenheimer. One of the perks of owning his own business was that he took several trip with the business. In his retirement, Alex became a handyman, able to adapt or adjust their home to accommodate their needs. He also designed and made candles out of used florescent lights. He sold a few but mostly gave them to family and friends. He also created a cart for Kelli from an old lawnmower and she loved to be outside and be pulled around the yard. He also enjoyed his garden and yard and continued to do the upkeep until just a few years ago. They ate tomatoes all summer long and he always had lettuce growing all summer in a hot bed. It was difficult to get him to stop shovelling his sidewalks as we never came early enough or did it well enough! And, he was always willing to sharpen Laurie’s yard tools and knives and even talked about doing it only two weeks ago.

Alex was the oldest of 7 children. So from early on, he was the caregiver. He was the person his siblings turned to for advice, extra time and help when they needed it. He left school after grade six to help on the family farm. He was amazing when he needed to help his wife when she was struck with debilitating arthritis at the age of 45 years, and he became the cook, nurse, and house keeper, gardener, and driver for her.

He was happiest when he had a child in his arms. He was amazing and loved holding children and was helpful and supportive to all his grandchildren but Kelli and Megan had a special place in his heart and they always looked forward to his visits and playing with him. Together, he and Lydia had 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Alex and Lydia did some travelling in the USA with their good friends, Albert and Holdine Wagner and Nick and Barb Rudnicky. When Lydia couldn’t travel, Alex took his two grand daughters and his daughter on a trip to Las Vegas which meant he made three trips to Vegas with a young woman on his arm and said he always won at the slot machines. These trips were special memories for ‘his’ girls.

Alex was a wonderful cook and an awesome meat preserver. He was known for his bacon, ham and sausage. He and Lydia preserved wild berries and made every imaginable kind of jam, jelly and fruit and he even tried his hand at making wine.

Alex’s life wasn’t all smooth sailing. He had colon/rectal cancer when he was 80 and he managed to fight through but it took its toll having to use an ostomy and left with damaged nerves in his feet. He never complained, he just learned to look after himself.

Alex always enjoyed music and played the accordion and harmonica. He and Lydia were very involved in their community. Church and the church family played an important part in their life. They never met a stranger just a new person to add to their list of friends. Coffee was at 3 o’clock but they enjoyed visits from friends and relatives at any time. We were always amazed at how many people they knew well enough to stop and chat with on the street. Alex loved a good joke and his laughter while wiping his eyes is a fond memory.

We will miss Alex. He was a gentle man who showed kindness to all. But mostly, he showed us how to love through the good times and bad.

Your Love Will Remain in Our Heart

Alex, we have lived a life of joy,

But there were hardships along the way.

We worked out our problems together

And hoped for a better day.

Alex you were a loving husband,

A father and grandfather too.

I’m so glad God granted me

A Husband as dear as you.

We prayed for you when you were suffering,

But God knew what was best,

So he folded you in His loving arms.

Now you have eternal rest.

But we will live with our memories,

From these we will never part.

Dear Alex, your family loves you,

And that love will remain in our heart.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alexander Assenheimer

January 13, 1922 – December 8, 2015

Mr. Alexander Assenheimer, late of Barrhead, AB, passed away at the age of 93 years. He will be remembered by his loving family; wife Lydia of 68 years, 3 children; Clarence (Laurie) Assenheimer of Barrhead, Diane (Reg) Steinbring of Barrhead, Jerry Assenheimer of Whitecourt, 6 grandchildren; Kerri (Allan) Fluet, Kelli Steinbring, Trisha Steinbring, Craig (Cheryl) Assenheimer, Grant (Chantelle) Assenheimer, Jill Assenheimer (Dave White), Dardin Assenheimer, 11 great grandchildren; Alec, Mark, Sean, Ivan and Franklin Assenheimer, Ty and Kade Steinbring, Megan and Cody Fluet, Morgan and Hayden White, sister; Rose Schuman; sisters-in-law, Grace Assenheimer, Elsie Assenheimer, Mandy Assenheimer and Elsie Poirier; brothers-in-law, John Steg and Emil Reich, as well as numerous family relatives and many dear friends. Alexander is predeceased by his parents; Reinhold and Bertha Assenheimer, grandson; Trevor Steinbring, brothers; George, Gordon and Edward Assenheimer, sisters; Haddie Kalmbach and Alma Tomm. A Memorial Service will be held at the Barrhead Church of God on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in Barrhead, AB with Reverend Blackmore officiating.

Donations gratefully accepted to the (AHS) Barrhead Continuing Care Centre or Barrhead Church of God.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.rosegardenchapel.com Rose Garden Chapel, Barrhead, Alberta 780.674.4644