HETZEL: Martin Joseph
July 28, 1935 鈥� October 10, 2016
The death of Martin Hetzel of Humboldt SK occurred at Humboldt District Hospital on Monday, October 10, 2016. He was 81 years of age. Martin was born to Rupert and Katherina (nee Wockerbauer) Hetzel on July 28, 1935 at St. Elizabeth鈥檚 Hospital in Humboldt SK.聽 He was the youngest of three children. He grew up on the family farm four miles west of Lake Lenore and attended Bright Valley School, after which he started farming with his Dad. Farming was his life, he loved it and always had a dog at his side. He met and married Carol Pfeiffer on October 15, 1957. Together they raised four children, eventually taking over the mixed farming operation, working first with his Dad and eventually his brother-in-law and then his son.聽 Martin was always interested in mechanics and repaired his own machinery. He restored three antique tractors, scowering the countryside for the 鈥渞ight parts.鈥� They are now on display at the Humboldt Antique Club. He restored an old 1929 鈥淢odel A鈥� Ford Car with a rumble seat and drove it around the country and later sold it.聽 From young on Martin enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, curling, bowling, soft-ball 聽and 鈥渟low pitch.鈥� He enjoyed watching hockey and all his grandchildren鈥檚 sports. Martin and Carol 聽loved travelling, going on trips to B.C., Hawaii, Mexico, and many parts of the U.S.A. In 1989 they moved to Humboldt 聽but spring and fall found him back on the farm to help his son and in later years just to ride a few rounds on the combine. Martin and Carol became 鈥渉ostesses鈥� on Reggie鈥檚 Bus Tours, meeting many people, a lot of them becoming very good friends.聽 In October of 2015 he made his final move with Carol to a condo at Gabriela Estates where he made many more friends. Martin will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 59 years, Carol (nee Pfeiffer) Hetzel and their four children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Laurel (Rod) MacLeod of Sherwood Park, AB and family Amanda(Sheldon) Perris and Rebecca MacLeod; Eric (Corie) Hetzel of Lake Lenore, SK and family Chanda Hetzel (Jason Williams) and Cameron Hetzel; Sandra (John) Vercammen of Saskatoon, SK and family Natalie (Pat) Guigon and their children Kira and Orin, Patrick (Natasha) Vercammen and聽 their daughter Violet; Kathleen (Robert) Bunko of Humboldt, SK and their family Matthew (Meagan) Bunko and their daughters Jazlynn and Paisley, and Megan (Nathan) Hollingshead and their children Stayden and Bay; one sister Mary Kolbeck of Middle Lake, SK and numerous relatives of the Hetzel and Pfeiffer families. Martin was predeceased by his parents Rupert and Katherina (nee Wockerbauer) Hetzel; his sister Rose Weiland; brothers-in-law Louis Kolbeck 聽and George Weiland. The Funeral Mass for Martin was offered at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Humboldt, SK on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Greg Smith-Windsor.聽 Others taking part were: Patrick Vercammen, crossbearer; Corie Hetzel and Rod MacLeod, scripture readers; Natalie Guigon and Chanda Hetzel, intentions; Megan Hollingshead, Cameron Hetzel and Rebecca MacLeod, giftbearers; Barb Heidt and Myrna Lung, memorial table attendants.聽 Music ministry was provided by Loretta Schugmann as director with organist Marie Aubin and members of the St. Augustine Parish Choir. An honour guard was formed by members of the Lake Lenore Knights of Columbus.聽 Honorary pallbearers were 鈥淎ll those who shared in Martin鈥檚 life.鈥� Urnbearer was Matthew Bunko. Interment followed at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Cemetery Humboldt, SK.聽 Memorial donations may be directed to the Humboldt and District SPCA. Arrangements were entrusted to Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel.
