Getz: Valentine ‘Val’ SolSept. 27, 1934 – October 25, 2020

Valentine ‘Val’ Sol Getz, beloved husband of Doreen Barbara Getz, died at South Country Village in Medicine Hat on October 25, 2020, with his family by his side.

Val was born on the family farm near Lancer, Sask., on September 27, 1934, to Martha and Edward Getz. The Getz family was a traditionally large family of the day with five boys and eight girls. They were a lively bunch always joking around and enjoyed many hours of ball games after the chores were done on the farm.

As years went by, Val and Doreen moved their family to Oyen, Alberta where they owned and operated Val’s Halfway Service for 22 years. Upon moving to Oyen, Val attended SAIT in Calgary, where he earned his mechanics licence. He made many friends over the years with his quick wit, smile and honesty. Val was always willing to help a traveler in distress any time of the day or night. He took a keen interest in the community where he became the first Charter President of the Oyen Lions Club and Chairman of the Assumption Roman Catholic School board.

Val was always interested in flying so in the early ’80s he became a pilot of small aircraft which he took great pride in. Another one of his enjoyments was the family cabin at Muriel Lake where many summers and some winters were spent. Val loved getting up early in the morning while everyone was still sleeping and whistling like a bird around the cabin until everyone eventually woke up. He enjoyed hunting for many years with various friends and his son, Warren for wild game, deer, elk and antelope were his favourites. Of course after each successful hunt was a big sausage making party where a good time was had by all. Val still enjoyed the annual sausage making tradition right up to last February of 2019.

In 1990 Val, Doreen and Shauna moved from Oyen to Medicine Hat where he worked at several jobs during his semi-retirement. Once he finally had adjusted to the idea of not working, Val and Doreen enjoyed many bus tours through the United States and many parts of Canada.

Val will be lovingly remembered in the hearts of his wife, Doreen of 63 years and their six children: Delan and her children, Jenean (Steve), Vanessa (Mark) and their children, Nevaeh and Roczen; Deidra and Steven; Gerry (Colleen) and their children, Zachary (Kayla) and son, Wyler; Keegan (Jamie), Ryker (Morgan), Bryce and Quinten; Brent (Lynett) and their children, Vincent (Krista) and sons, Lincoln and Ezekiel; Amy (Devon); Warren (Cheryl) and their children, Riley (Kristy) and daughter, Willow; Karissa (Austen); Bonnie (Irvan) and their children, Carson, Sydney and Justin; Shauna (Letitia).

Val was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Martha; brothers, John and Peter; sisters, Helen, Margaret, Mary and Bertha as well as two sisters in infancy, Anna and Rachel.

Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the Vigil Prayer Service and Funeral Mass will be by invitation only. Vigil Prayers were recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel in Medicine Hat on October 30, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. The Private Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Medicine Hat on October 31, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place in Oyen at a future date.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Val’s name may be made directly to the Medicine Hat Food Bank, 532 South Railway Street, Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 2V6. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Medicine Hat, Alberta.