BERT (MICKEY) SCHUETZ

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BERT (MICKEY) SCHUETZ February 7, 1924 - May 29, 2014 Bert ended his 90 year journey peacefully May 29, 2014 at Poseidon Care Centre, Winnipeg. Celebrating a lifetime of wonderful memories are the love of his life and wife of 66 years, Muriel (Reynoldson), his children Warren, Lois (Farley Cates) and Judy (Norm Wasney); his grandchildren Rayna Anderson (Chris Ractliffe), Evan Anderson (Laine Hoogstraten), Keith Wasney (Kelsey) and Neil Wasney; his great-grandson Drake Anderson; Bert's brother Louie (Joan), and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Bert was predeceased by his homesteader parents Henry and Ottilie, and his siblings Edith Wiebe, Martha Scott, Albert Schuetz, Mabel Basham, and George Schuetz. The youngest child to be born on their farm near Neidpath, Saskatchewan, he loved Mickey Mouse so much that he was called Mickey as often as he was Bert - and the nickname stuck throughout his life. He was an entrepreneur in his youth, delivering goods and, having acquired an early motion picture projector, travelling around the neighbouring towns showing movies and newsreels. Fascinated with airplanes, he had his heart set on a career designing them. To that end he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 18. He trained in Montreal and served on an Air Force crash boat' in British Columbia during the Second World War. He learned Morse Code in the services and worked as a telegrapher and post office agent when he became a civilian again. He married Muriel in 1947 and they moved to Regina. They bought a lot on Elphinstone Street, and Bert set about using his knack for drawing, engineering and carpentry to design a small house. Between his shifts delivering telegrams for the CPR, he transported lumber on his bicycle to the building site. He and Muriel built the entire house from basement to roof with very little outside help. Along the way his career with the CPR blossomed and he earned the responsibility of paymaster for the Western Division. In 1969 the CPR moved their prairie headquarters from Regina to Winnipeg. After much soul-searching, the family left Saskatchewan for Manitoba -- but 40 years later Bert and Muriel were still rooting for the Roughriders. One of the perks of working for CPR was a pass to ride the train with his family, and since his parents had retired to British Columbia there were many trips to visit them, enjoying the dome car, sleeping berths, pancakes in the dining car, the care of the porters, the endless flatness of the prairie, and the winding tunnels through the mountains. As much as they loved those vacations, it was Hawaii that stole Bert and Muriel's hearts - they returned there 17 times. Bert's enduring memory for details was an endless fascination for his family right into his 90th year. But even as his memory flagged in recent months, his dry sense of humour and gentle good nature never failed, which endeared him to all, including his caregivers at Poseidon Care Centre. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Poseidon's staff for the genuine kindness they showered on Bert. Bert set a sterling example to his children and grandchildren, instilled in them a love of words, learning, music and a deep sense of fairness in their dealings with people. We, his family, feel privileged to have shared so many wonderful years with him. In our memories he will live forever. A celebration of his life will be held at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, Winnipeg at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 9. Those wishing to make a donation, in lieu of flowers, may to the Royal Canadian Legion Joint Hospital Visiting Committee, 563 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2M 3L6. Family and friends wishing may sign a book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550
Publish Date: Jun 7, 2014

BERT (MICKEY) SCHUETZ February 7, 1924 - May 29, 2014 Bert ended his 90 year journey peacefully May 29, 2014 at Poseidon Care Centre. Longer obituary notice will follow in Saturday's edition. Family and friends wishing may sign a book of condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550
Publish Date: Jun 4, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2014