Joseph Ganzert

Joe was predeceased by: His Parents: Mike and Rose Ganzert; Brothers Frank Ganzer and Eddie Ganzert; Brothers- and Sisters-in law: Lena and Mike Hoffart, Barbara and Joe Schan, Sr. Regina Jochim, Tony Heitt, and John Jochim

Joe is survived by his wife Odelia (Tillie) Ganzert, and his five children and their families: Geraldine and Roland Caron: Nichol and Bradley (Missy); Lester and Jo-Ann Ganzert: Lee (Leanne) and Jessica; Daniel Ganzert; Gemma and Norman Graw: Casey and Amanda (Arlo and Veda), Dallas and Jackie (Lexxi and Peyton), Tyson and Amie (Carter and Dillon), and Ryley; Donell and Ernie Nycholat: Samantha and Alexyn.

He is also survived by his brothers and sisters and their spouses: Francis Ganzer, John and Louise Ganzert, Wendlin and Liz Ganzert, Judy and Roy Ewing, Monica and Ron Schlosser, and Doreen and Ernie Wurmlinger and in-laws: Lil Jochim, Kay Heitt, Sr. Jane Jochim, Nick and Betty Jochim and Kas and Joan Jochim; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Eulogy by Jo-Ann Ganzert

Joseph LewisGanzert was born on June 2, 1924 in Reward, SK. The third son of Mike and Rose Ganzert, Joe was raised on the family farm and attended Donegal Country School. He left the farm and worked in lumber camps in Ontario and British Columbia, then worked in a zinc mine in Trail, BC.

Joe returned to Saskatchewan in 1950, joining the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool as an agent in Broadacres. It was during this time that he met Tillie Jochim at her brother John’s wedding. They married on July 2, 1952. Joe spent 20 years with the Pool in Broadacres, then moved to Scott for 7 years, and on to Unity for another 2 years. At this time, Joe and Tillie purchased their home in North Battleford, and Joe continued his employment with the Pool; this time in the position of Auditor. He retired from the Sask Wheat Pool with a total of 37 years of service.

During their years in Broadacres, Joe and Tillie were blessed with five children: Geraldine, Lester, Daniel, Gemma and Donell. They developed many enduring friendships, especially Frank and Cecilia Kopp, Andy and Cecile Tryhuba, Alvin and Evelyn Grimsheid, and Lawrence and Helen Brutzel. During his time in Broadacres, Joe drove many pregnant women to Kerrobert to deliver their babies. It was always in the winter, and his car would be the only one in town that would start. Over the years, he drove six or seven pregnant ladies to Kerrobert, and became known as “The Midwife”!

While helping construct the Catholic Church in Broadacres, Joe lost two fingers in a carpentry accident. Thus, he was blessed with the nickname “Two Fingers”. One time when he was in a local drinking establishment, Joe held up the hand that was missing digits, ordering 4 drinks. When the bartender delivered the drinks, Joe was upset that the order wasn’t correct. “Well, you only ordered 2 full drinks and 2 half drinks”, said the bartender. His favorite trick with children, especially his grandchildren was to scratch his ear with one of his short fingers, showing them how his finger could disappear into his head.

Joe loved music and dancing, especially at the Broadacres Hall. This is where children, looking for a cozy spot to wait for their parents, remember curling up on the pile of coats behind the steps, and going to sleep until their parents were ready to go home. Sometimes it was really late (or really early, depending whether the men had won or lost their curling game). On one occasion, after a dance in the Broadacres Hall, the Tramping Lake Church Choir continued the party at Joe and Tillie’s house. They were singing German songs and the volume got so loud Tillie said, that they almost raised the roof off the house!

Another favorite of Joe’s was cards – he loved to play cards! Schmeer was his favorite while the family lived in Broadacres; Kaiser was a favorite when they lived in Scott. He played gin rummy, cribbage and dominos with his children and grandchildren – always educating them on the strategies of the game.

I heard that Joe was quite the curler – I have seen photos of him in his curling sweater, however, since 1981 when I joined the family, I never saw him throw a rock. That didn’t stop him from being the best arm chair skip I ever met. If you wanted to rile him up, you just sat him down in front of a TV when Russ Howard was playing a game. Watching and listening to him was waaayyy more entertaining than the curling on the TV! The same love he had for Russ Howard was transferred to Darian Durant during Roughrider season. We are sure he had trouble eating his words when the Riders won the Grey Cup in 2013!

The very first time I met Joe and Tillie was at a sausage making marathon at their house in Unity. Everyone had a job, and Joe’s seemed to be the most important: Turning the sausage press’ heavy handle, giving the exactly correct pressure to Tillie who was filling the casings. After the huge batch of sausage was stuffed into casings, they would spread the sausage rings out on the freezers and any other flat surface, to “cure” overnight before being packaged for the freezer. That step was skipped once Joe and Tillie moved to North Battleford, but the quality of sausage was always superb. When Les opened his meat shop in Battleford, his most popular recipe for fresh sausage was “Ganzert Family Sausage”.

Once Joe retired from the Pool, his most important job became full time Grandpa to his 10 grandchildren. His kids could always rely on Grandpa Joe to pick up the grandchildren from school and deliver them to whatever activity they needed to be at. The grandchildren didn’t need much urging to go visit Granny and Grandpa Joe – it was fun at their house!

Joe’s favorite hobby was carpentry. Their home was lovingly refinished by Joe, and the workmanship was superb. A special gift Joe and Tillie made for their grandchildren was a personalized, wooden Easter basket. They were brought out each year, and filled with treats from the Easter Bunny. I know for sure of one that was put to good use just this past weekend!

Joe and Tillie sold their home in North Battleford in 2004 and purchased a unit in the Maples Condo. Joe soon became involved in the governing of the condo, and served as President of the Condo Association for many years. Joe was always involved in whatever community he lived in.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Rose, and by his brothers Frank and Eddie. He was also predeceased by his brothers and sisters in law: Lena and Mike Hoffart, Barbara and Joe Schan, Sr. Regina Jochim, Tony Heitt, and John Jochim.

Joe is survived by his wife Tillie, and his five children and their families: Gerry and Roland Caron, Nichol and Bradley (Missy); Les and Jo-Ann Ganzert, Lee (Leanne) and Jessica; Dan Ganzert; Gem and Norm Graw, Casey and Amanda (Arlo and Veda); Dallas and Jackie (Lexxi and Payton); Tyson and Amie (Carter and Dillon); and Ryley; Donell and Ernie Nycholat, Samantha and Alexyn.

He is also survived by his brothers, sisters and their spouses: Francis Ganzer, John and Louise Ganzert, Wendlin and Liz Ganzert, Judy and Roy Ewing, Monica and Ron Schlosser, and Doreen and Ernie Wurmlinger. His inlaws: Lil Jochim, Kay Heitt, Sr. Jane Jochim, Nick and Betty Jochim and Kas and Joan Jochim; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe lived a remarkably long life. After a short illness, he passed away peacefully on April 17, 2014 at Battlefords Union Hospital. We will all miss you, Grandpa Joe. Rest in Peace.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday April 23 with Reverend Father Greg Elder as celebrant. Prayers were held Tuesday April 22 with Sister Jane Jochim presiding. Both services will be held from St. Joseph Calasanctius Roman Catholic Church. Interment took place at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. The family has requested that donations in memory of Joseph Ganzert be made to Canadian Cancer Society or to Masses.

The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows & McDonald – Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home. (306) 445-2418