Celebration of the Life in Christ Given to ~ Barry Russell Kitz ~ June 24,1948 - January 17, 2016. Barry passed away peacefully in Regina on January 17, 2016 with his son Scott by his side following a lengthy struggle with health problems related to a hereditary disease. Barry was born on June 24, 1948 at Langenburg to Harold and Margaret (Adams) Kitz. He was baptized into the Christian faith on July 18, 1948 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Landestreu. Barry confirmed his baptismal faith on October 28, 1962 at Landestreu. Barry was united in marriage to Sharilyn Joy Stelmaszak on May 30, 1970 in Churchbridge, SK. Barry and Sharilynn were blessed with two sons, Scott and Chad. Barry became a journeyman carpenter while in Regina and worked with several companies before forming Kitz & Hill Construction Ltd. with a friend. Barry disliked living in the city and in 1977 he moved his young family to Langenburg and formed Kitz Brothers Construction working first with his brothers and cousins and eventually with his sons and nephews. In 1978 Barry started farming and moved his young family to a house under construction and eventually built barns, corrals and made a farmyard out of a summer fallow field. Barry worked as a high clearance sprayer operator for Sharp's Soil Services, served as financial auditor for Landestreu Church, was a Churchbridge School Board trustee for many years while his sons were students, served as a councillor for the RM of Churchbridge for several terms and went through many stressful experiences during the flood of 1995. Barry enjoyed visiting with family and friends, he loved his grandchildren and had great fun being Santa for the kids. He enjoyed his Border Collies - at one point he had 13 of them and his special one named Buddy. Barry enjoyed sports of all kinds - baseball, broom ball and curling, spending many hours at the curling rink when his sons were in junior men's curling. He played the drums with his brothers in their band "The Guy Tones". Barry spent many hours watching "Duck Dynasty" when poor health confined him to a wheelchair or scooter. Barry was predeceased by his parents Harold and Margaret Kitz, his Godmother Martha Adams, and numerous aunts and uncles. Barry leaves to mourn his wife Sharilyn (separated); sons Scott (Karen), their children Jackson and Alexandra and Chad (Yanting) and their son Leeroy; his partner Phyllis Matthews, her daughter Dorelle (Tyler) Fulton, their children Mae and Evan, her son Joel (Kandis) Matthews and their children Kailie and Kolton; four brothers Calvin (Linda), Earl (Sandra), Lawrence (Bev), Perry (Cheryl); two brothers-in-law John (Vicky) Stelmaszak and Francis Stelmaszak; four step-brothers-in-law Allan (Diane) Frederick, Orville (Marlene) Frederick, Byron Frederick and Marlin Frederick; numerous nephews and nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles. Funeral service was held on Thursday, January 21, 2016 from Immanuel Lutheran Church, Landestreu with Pastor Aaron Gust officiating. Organist, Laurel Kentel led the congregation in the singing of the hymns "Amazing Grace", "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "Abide With Me". Urn bearers were Janine Blyth, Chantel Kitz (Barry's Goddaughters) and Garett Kitz. The internment took place in the Landestreu Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Braendle-Bruce Funeral Home, Russell, MB. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Landestreu Memorial Fund or the Canadian Diabetes Association. Barry's confirmation verse: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
