EHALT: Willard Joseph
听
June 18, 1932 鈥� April 11, 2016
听
The death of Mr. Willard Joseph Ehalt of St. Mary鈥檚 Villa, Humboldt, SK, occurred at his residence on Monday, April 11, 2016. He was 83 years of age. Willard was one of nine children born to Frank and Annie (nee Ebert) Ehalt. He grew up on a farm in the Annaheim district. The summer of 1952 was when he met the love of his life, Ruth Schiltz. On June 1st, 1954, they were married in St. Ann鈥檚 Roman Catholic Church in Annaheim. Ruth and Willard began their life together on the Ehalt farm west of Annaheim. They had five children, three sons and two daughters between April 1955 and November 1965. Willard hired himself out as farm/ranch help for the first few years of their marriage, taking them to Edson, AB., Biggar, Wiseton, and Naicam. In the winter he worked in a logging camp. In the fall of 1958 before the birth of their second son they returned to Humboldt where they stayed for the next nine years. Willard worked at a variety of jobs, including Angelstad Plumbing and Heating, hauling Co-op Fuel, Dept. of Highways, and Sask Power to name a few. Willard bought a cattle truck and the family relocated to Lanigan in 1967. In 1975 Willard and Ruth bought the old Lanigan Hospital and being first time home owners they proceeded to tear down the top floor of the hospital, half of the main floor and then built a two bedroom suite downstairs and a four bedroom home upstairs. Three months before completion disaster struck when a tornado hit the area, damaging the home which set them back four months before they could move in. Two years later Willard traded in his cattle trailer and started to haul feed for PayWay Feeds out of Saskatoon. Until 1987 he went from one unit for PayWay Feeds to four units for Co-op Feeds. In 1987, facing an empty nest and a large home, prompted them to pull up roots, change careers, and move once more when they bought the hotel in Allan Sask. In 1996 they also bought the Windsor Hotel in Humboldt which brought them back full circle. After running both hotels for nine months they sold the Allan hotel in 1997 and sold the Windsor Hotel in 2002 to try their hand at retirement. In June of 2012 after Ruth contracted cancer for the second time Willard became a resident at the Quill Plains Centennial Lodge in Watson due to mobility problems. February 1st 2013 Willard moved to St. Mary鈥檚 Villa in Humboldt so he could be closer to Ruthie once again. Twenty four days later Ruthie passed away from cancer after 58 years of marriage. Through the years Willard enjoyed playing cards, camping, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing. When not working hard Willard was the instigator of many pranks and much mischief, especially starting a water fight at every Ehalt family reunion and then sitting back and watching the chaos. But before long all would be forgiven because he was also the one who brought the keg of beer to those reunions. Willard will be sadly missed by his 5 children, 10 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Randy Ehalt of Calgary AB; Gordon (Donna) Ehalt of Pierceland Sk and family Kristen (Neil) Korotash and their children Kailen and Evan, Lindsay 听Leon, and Dillan Ehalt; Doug (Bev) Ehalt of Humboldt and family, Danen Ehalt and Chad Ehalt; Kathy Loessl of Humboldt (John Hofmann Calgary AB) and her family Janine Loessl, and her twins Mary and Josephine, and Shane Loessl; Marilyn Pratchler of Humboldt and family Matthew Pratchler (fianc茅 Jill), Caitlin Pratchler and Daniel Pratchler; 5 sisters and 2 brothers; Angeline Fleischhacker, Bernice Hueser, Ileana (Ken) Richardson, Erwin Ehalt, Lucille (Howard) Schiltz, Donald (Anita) Ehalt, Marilyn (Leonard) Berschiminsky, sister- in- law Clara Ehalt, brother-in-laws Harvey (Anita) Schiltz, Howard (Lucille) Schiltz and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years Ruthie, his parents Frank and Annie Ehalt, and his brother Francis Ehalt. The Prayer Service for Willard was held at St. Augustine R.C. Church, Humboldt on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 8:00 p.m., led by Marlen VanDresar. Others taking part were: Marie Aubin, organist; Randy Ehalt and Caitlin Pratchler, scripture readers; and Kathy Loessl, eulogist. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Augustine R.C. Humboldt, on Friday, April 15, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Cosmas Epifano, OSB. Others taking part were: Dillan Ehalt, crossbearer;听 Kristen Korotash and Janine Loessl, scripture readers; Marilyn Pratchler, intentions;听 Danen and Chad Ehalt, giftbearers; Loretta Schugmann, choir director; Dolores Hinz, organist; and St. Augustine Parish Funeral Choir. Shane Loessl, urnbearer. Honorary pallbearers were 鈥渁ll those who shared in Willard鈥檚 life鈥�. Interment followed at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Cemetery, Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Memorial Donations can be directed to either St. Mary鈥檚 Villa Foundation or the St. Augustine Parish Center. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
