Obituary of Florentina Catherine Walz

Florentina Catherine Heck was born to Frank and Annie Heck on April12,1933 in Provost, Alberta. She grew up on the family farm, one mile north of Bodo and attended Hendersonville School for Grades 1 to 6, then Bodo High School for Grades 7 to 11. After leaving school, she helped at home on the farm and worked as a housemaid for several neighbors. During this time, she met and fell in love with Gregor Walz. They married on August 25, 1953 and lived in Bodo for 35 years where they farmed in the Cactus Lake, Bodo and Cosine area. It was in Bodo that they raised their two children, Laurie and Lee. Throughout the years in Bodo, as a devoted wife and mother, Florentina happily raised her children and worked with Gregor on the farm. She loved to cook and bake and often had to cook for as many as eight hired hands during harvest season. She took great pride in her garden, and in harvesting the fruits of her labor. Her hands were never idle as she enjoyed crotcheting, knitting and discing. She loved visiting with family and friends, and enjoyed annual family vacations to the Calgary Stampede and Radium, as well as a trip to Disneyland with Gregor and the kids. Gregor and Florentina enjoyed traveling and took winter vacations to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Yuma. In 1983, Gregor and Florentina moved to Provost and continued to farm in the summer. In 1988, Florentina happily welcomed her daughter in law, Audra, into the family...another daughter to share her most cherished German recipes with. In the years that followed, she was ecstatic to welcome three beautiful granddaughters into her family. Amy, Jenessa and Megan brought so much joy and love to Florentina's life and she couldn't have been prouder of the kind, beautiful, young adults they have become. In 2007, Florentina moved to Hillcrest Lodge where she enjoyed countless hours of playing cards and games with the residents. She also looked forward to weekly outings with Bonnie Aker, which included going for coffee and quilting with the ladies. She thoroughly loved going to the farm for supper and overnight stays with Lee and Audra, and going to her house for some weekends with Laurie, and simply, being with family. Florentina died unexpectedly on September 9, 2016 at 83 years of age. We will dearly miss her sharp wit, her love of family and friends, and the kind, beautiful, gentle soul that she was. Florentina's legacy will be carried on through her children, Laurie and Lee (Audra); grandchildren, Amy, Jenessa and Megan; godchildren; as well as numerous other relatives and friends. Florentina was predeceased by her husband, Gregor; sister, Jennie, brothers, Peter, Christian, Vincent, Carl and Wilfred; as well as other in-laws, nieces and nephews.