Garth Edward Hiltz

He was born to Doug and Mae Morash in Saskatoon on November 30, 1942. Garth was only three months old when his father died. After the war, Mae remarried Patrick Hiltz, who adopted him and became his loving father. Mae and Patrick had two more sons, Sheldon and Randy, and the five of them lived in Lynn Lake, Manitoba. As a young man, Garth worked in the mines in Lynn Lake before moving to Winnipeg for work building motors for semis.

Garth met the love of his life at a friend’s party in Winnipeg in 1962. Marge wasn’t sure about him at first, but she could not resist his blue eyes and curly dark hair. They were married a year later. A year after that, they welcomed Garth Jr., their first child. They returned to Lynn Lake where Garth Sr. became a machinist. He and Marge had two more children in Lynn Lake, Carmen and Guy, before moving to Pinawa, Manitoba. There, they had their fourth child, Shelly. After a few years working in Fort McMurray, Alberta, they made their way to Coronach, Saskatchewan. They settled in Coronach for a decade, with Garth working at the coal mine while the first dragline was being built. From there, Garth and Marge moved to Estevan, where Garth worked for 15 more years before retiring and returning to Coronach in 2003.

In retirement, he committed fully to his second career, with Wrolson Farms. He was a dedicated right-hand man to his son-in-law and friend Brian. He loved his time on the farm. He was working in the fields as recently as 2025.

Garth was a natural athlete and could compete in any sport he played. He loved curling, baseball, football, and hockey. He was a goalie in the era before masks and helmets. His neck guard was a rolled-up towel. In 1971, as goalie for the Pinawa Panthers, he won a provincial championship. He was also an avid golfer and consistently shot 45 on Coronach’s 9-hole course in his 80s.

He counted every stroke on the golf course. He never lost an argument. He taught his kids how to provide for their families. He taught his grandkids how to party. He wowed his great grandkids with his signature disappearing dime trick. He was a longtime fan of the Winnipeg Jets, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Elvis. He woke up early. He worked hard. He enjoyed life and he loved his family.

In return, he was deeply loved as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, in-law, cousin, friend, and husband. He is survived by his wife Marge, sons Garth Jr. (Connie) and Guy, daughters Carmen (Brian) Wrolson and Shelly (Chad) Aust, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Mae, Patrick and Doug, his brothers Randy and Sheldon, his grandson Kelsey Wrolson and his daughter-in-law Catherine Hiltz.

In keeping with Garth’s request, a private family service will be held.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Garth’s family may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK.