Bill Krizsan

1931 - 2021

 It is with great sadness that the family of William Michael Krizsan, announce his passing in Taber on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at the age of 90 years.

 A private Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Saturday, October 30, 2021. A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

 Besides Audrey, his loving wife of 68 years, Bill is survived by their children Victoria Krizsan (Lawrence Chesson) of Medicine Hat, Sheila (Jerry) Hrycaj of St. Albert, Gloria (Bill) Harrington of Barnwell and Derrick (Rhonda) Krizsan of Claresholm; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. 

 He was predeceased by his parents Andrew and Ethel Krizsan, brother Andrew Krizsan and sister Ethel (Ralph) Thompson.

 Bill was born on October 16, 1931 in Normandeau (Lac La Biche District), Alberta in a log cabin on the family homestead, the second of three children.

 In 1935 the family moved to Southern Alberta from Lac La Biche and established their family on a farm northwest of Barnwell in the Huckleberry district. Life in the early years on the farm was difficult. As a young man, Bill left school to assist his father in the operation of the farm.

 Bill valued education above all else. In his later years his family was surprised to hear of his early desire to obtain higher education and to be a doctor. He worked hard to ensure that each of his children receive university educations, a legacy which continued as all of his grandchildren followed suit in achieving a post secondary education.

 Bill loved hockey, curling, darts, bowling and cards. He was talented at them all. He was a member of the ‘Huckleberry Hounds’, a hockey team made up of young men from the Huckleberry and Cranford districts. They were known for their speed and rough play. Eventually the addition of wives, children and responsibilities forced the team into retirement. In later years, they still reveled in their tales of the time spent playing their beloved game.

 Bill loved farming. During the winter months he also worked in various fields and found his niche in sales. In one thirty day period while working for Superior Motors, he sold fifty four vehicles. In 1972, he was hired as the Steward of the Taber branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and he worked by helping to get the Legion onto firmer financial ground. He also served on the Legion executive council for many years. Bill found this work particularly fulfilling because of the relationships he had with veterans and those he knew who had lost their lives in service to their country. He found his own opportunity to serve his country in the 1950s in the Militia, earning recognition for his marksmanship and scouting ability.

 While working two full time jobs, Bill went back to college,  achieving his power engineering certificate and was employed by the Taber Hospital where he worked until his retirement.

 Bill’s passion for agriculture didn’t wane as his family established a purebred Charolais cattle herd. For eighteen years he enjoyed the company of fellow breeders and customers. He loved breeding stock and transporting bulls (not so much the washing and grooming) to sales and to his customers, all of whom he considered friends.

 There are many instances which exemplify Bill; his long hours of work to pay for tuition and books or the times he went without so he could provide as best he could for his family. One example that stands out the most is the time he gave, at no charge, a breeding bull to a young man who could not afford one. A quiet man, his actions were always stronger than his words. They defined him perfectly.

 Bill was a member of the Elks, Moose and a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion.

 “We give thanks to our Father in Heaven for Dad’s ninety years and for the relationships we enjoyed with him as a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. We will miss him but we know that we shall be reunited in the presence of God whose love for us is beyond understanding. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. Grace be in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 www.tdhf.ca, to the Taber Food Bank Society, 5512 - 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta, T1G 1S4 or to a charity of one's choice.

 The Krizsan Family would like to acknowledge and thank the Doctors and Nurses for the care they provided during his short stay at the Taber Hospital and are also very thankful for the care he received while a resident at Linden View.