Obituary of Arthur Oscar Gerlach

Long time Stettler resident Art Gerlach passed away peacefully with family by his side, on July 8, 2012 at 99 years of age (always a Gretsky fan.) Art was born in Stettler June 28, 1913; the third son of Richard and Margaret Gerlach. He was raised on the homestead farm SE of town with his brothers Ed, Fred (Fritz), Walter (Shorty) and sisters Gertrude and Erna. Art left the farm in the early 1930’s for Edmonton to learn the skill of welding – at which he became very proficient. He returned to Stettler and went into business operating the BA Service Station on the corner where the post office is now located. He sold gas and obtained the first Chrysler dealership in Stettler which included Plymouth cars and Fargo trucks. The business was called Superior Garage. He hired a mechanic as he was kept busy welding for area farmers. If a tractor block cracked he was one of the few who could weld it. Country dances were well attended by the young people and it was at one of these dances that he met Mary Davis – a Botha girl who had taken Domestic Science at Olds College and was now working in Stettler. They were married December 28, 1938 – a cold winter day (wedding postponed from September as Art was so busy welding.) Art was a little late because of a welding job. They were happy on the arrival of each of their three children: Patricia 1940, Evelyn 1943 and John 1946. By then Art had taken on a business partner and he and Joe Smith built a new Superior Garage on Main Street approximately where Lou’s Fashions is now located. Steel beams were used in construction purchased as salvage from the government when Content Bridge was taken out by ice. Art installed one of the first under floor heating systems. By the early fifties, there were increased activities in the oilfields that required welders, so Art sold his partnership to Joe and signed a contract with Gulf Oil. By the late fifties he had a fleet of five welding trucks, a D6 Caterpillar and the first ditch digger (the Badger) in the area – for pipeline construction. He had acquired his B Ticket for pressure welding by then. Although Art spent long hours at work, family was very important. Summer Sunday afternoons we would arrive at Buffalo Lake for a little beach time, then a nice fried chicken and salad picnic – pie for dessert. In 1957 new lake front lots were opened so Art and neighbour Bob Fix built summer cottages. He also purchased a second hand boat with a motor big enough so the kids could water ski – the cabin remains in the family today. By the early sixties Art had downsized the welding and purchased a small farm east of Red Willow – later replaced by land closer to Stettler. The family home was now on an acreage just south of town and the welding shop was in the trees at the “back forty”; where he also had a few cattle. He enjoyed working on the land and being back to his roots. The small spruce trees planted then, now make a very nice entrance to Stettler from Highway #12 east. Art loved to create things. If he didn’t have a tool to suit the job he would just make one. The grandchildren and great grandchildren were the recipients of many custom made toys such as swing sets, kiddie cars, wagons, sleighs, a go-cart and paddle boat, etc. He was a founding member of the Stettler Kinsmen and was fairly active in K40. When Mary passed away in 2004 shortly after their 65th wedding anniversary, Art continued to live in his own home until 2007 when at 94 years of age, he moved to Pine Ridge Home in Stettler, content to let the fine staff take care of him. As Art leaves us he joins those who are already Home, his son John in 1996; his wife Mary in 2004; his brothers: Ed (Margaret), Fred (Ida) and Walter (Grace); his sister Gertrude (Marion) Scheerschmidt and brother in law Albert Scheerschmidt; sisters in law Wilma (Roy) Martins and Bella (Russ) Tait. Survived to fondly remember are his daughters Tricia (Bud) McAlister of Lethbridge and Evelyn (Ray) O’Hara of Stettler; daughter in law Arlene Gerlach of Calgary; grandchildren: Lori (Perry) Machacek of Lethbridge, Cheryl (Norm) Hodgson of Whitecourt, Scott McAlister of Medicine Hat, Brent (Tannis) O’Hara of Red Deer, Jenifer (Hal) Martin of Toronto, Alison (Shane) Funk of Toronto and Shawn (Rhea) O’Hara of Blackfalds; great grandchildren: Riley, Spencer, Logan and Cason Machacek, Raeanne and Blaine Hodgson, Liam O’Hara and Lukin O’Hara; sister Erna Scheerschmidt of Stettler; nieces, nephews (with special mention of Doug and Elaine Scheerschmidt) and also mention to Kathy McAlister, Donna and Dave Pearson and his Pine Ridge Family to whom he became very attached, as they were to him. His nickname was Smiley. The family will gather for a private service of remembrance and Art will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Mary in Lake View Cemetery, Stettler, Alberta. Memorial donations may be made to the SHSF – Pine Ridge or to a charity of your own choosing c/o Stettler Funeral Home, Box 1780, Stettler, AB, T0C 2L0. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by signing the guestbook at www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium 403-742-3422, entrusted with the care and arrangements.