Obituary of Katherine Watchel

After a full life of ninety-five years, Katherine Watchel, formerly of Denzil, Saskatchewan, passed away on November 4, 2009 at Bethany in Sylvan Lake, AB. Kathy was born on June 6, 1914 in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. She was the seventh of the ten children of Conrad Wagner and Eva (Benz) Wagner. After finishing grade school, Kathy worked as a housekeeper, a dairy worker and a hotel cook until marrying Adam Watchel on November 13 in 1946. Kathy moved to the farm in Denzil where they began raising a family of five. Whether making homemade soap or cheese, growing and harvesting a huge garden or designing and sewing most of the family's clothing, Kathy approached all things with vigor and enthusiasm. Adam and Kathy moved from the farm to Denzil in 1966. After Adam died in 1977 Kathy continued living there until she moved to Eckville when she was 80. Her last six years were spent at Bethany in Sylvan Lake. Kathy deeply loved her family and friends. She was quick-witted and loved telling stories though sometimes she would laugh so hard that she couldn't speak. Having lived a full, long life that began the same month as WW1, spanned the hardships of the Great Depression and witnessed unprecedented world changes, Kathy lived her life with unmarred optimism. She had a generosity of spirit that made her heartily respond to others in their happiness or their pain. She was happiest when offering her time, her skills and most of all, her deep, deep love. Kathy will be remembered and missed by her children: Jeanette(Dan) Mondor, Jerome Wagner-Watchel, Dolores Lister, Geraldine(Doug) Gordon and Marianne(Cam Neufeld) Watchel; her ten grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and her only remaining sister, Agnes Witzaney. She was predeceased by her siblings, Joe, John, Clem, Ann, Martin, Eva, Conrad and Leo.